Summer 2011

Dear Friends,

I'm pleased to report that during the past few busy months, the University of Texas Medical Branch has achieved a number of objectives that position us well for an exciting future in an ever changing health care environment.

Although it is impossible to predict the outcome of the 82nd Texas Legislature's special session at this point, we have a lot of people working on our behalf, and more people than ever before aware of the vital contributions UTMB makes to the health and well-being of the region and the state.

That increased awareness was key to our success during the regular session, when the Legislature approved $11 million in funding for our Tuition Revenue Bond for construction of the proposed Jennie Sealy Replacement Hospital; permitted UTMB to have continued access to monies appropriated in the 81st session to use for Hurricane Ike-related recovery and FEMA matches; treated reductions to our hospital's base appropriation in a manner comparable to other health-related institutions with hospitals; and restructured our correctional health care contract to permit UTMB to contract directly with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. But stay tuned; all is not yet final. For legislative updates, visit http://blog1.utmb.edu/hpla/ .

We know we have extraordinary, talented, dedicated people at UTMB and it's gratifying when others recognize it. We are proud of the recognition UTMB's Dr. Garland Anderson and Dr. David Yngve recently received when they were named "Health Care Heroes'' by the Houston Business Journal. The awards honor those who serve, innovate and save lives. Anderson, executive vice president, provost and dean of medicine, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement award for his commitment to improving access to care, particularly for women and children; Yngve, professor and chief, Pediatric Orthopaedics, received the Doctor award for perfecting a minimally invasive technique to improve mobility in patients with cerebral palsy. In addition, Nellie Loewen, a nursing program coordinator in UTMB's Emergency Department, was one of two finalists for the Nurse award for her work to improve medical, forensic and emotional care of victims of sexual assault.

Other recent UTMB highlights include the very welcome news that we have been re-designated as a Level 1 Trauma Center ? one of three such centers serving all ages of the nearly 6 million people in the greater Houston area. The credit for this significant accomplishment belongs to the determined faculty and staff who demonstrated that, since reopening after Hurricane Ike, UTMB has again been providing the research support, educational programs and 24-hour specialty care required for the highest-level designation.

More good news is our continued expansion of clinical services. We have opened five new clinics on the mainland (with three more on the horizon), for a total of approximately 80 on- and off-island clinics in all specialties at 51 locations. Visit www.utmbhealth.com for more information.

The campus is a veritable hive of activity. Half of our hurricane-damaged facilities are fully functional again. We also have 1,600 construction workers on site, busy with everything from modernizing John Sealy Hospital and the patient garage adjoining our campus-based clinics to replacing elevators and upgrading a vast network of heating, cooling and electrical systems. Efforts to restore Old Red ? the very heart of the institution ? are proceeding on schedule, and we hope to have the amphitheater back in service when a new crop of students arrives this fall.

One of my favorite times of the academic year, commencement season, is in full swing, with more than 800 students graduating from our four health sciences schools. In our School of Medicine, which recently graduated 220 women and men, nearly 60 percent will continue their medical training in Texas. Since we know that 80 percent of Texas medical school graduates who complete a state-based residency remain here to practice, this should translate into more future physicians for Texas. Also just less than half will be entering primary care residency training, which will help address the growing shortage of physicians in related fields.

On a similar note, we recently welcomed graduates from all four health sciences schools back to the island for Homecoming. We broke several records this year, including attendance (413 alumni), states represented (22) and distance traveled (a School of Nursing alumna made the trip from British Columbia). This annual gathering demonstrates like no other event the far-reaching impact of our educational programs on the people of Texas and beyond.

We, like our counterparts in Texas and throughout the nation, face significant challenges. We know we must decrease our dependence on vulnerable state and federal funding, and that we must be able to demonstrate clear value in a highly competitive health care environment.

But the can-do attitude that has defined UTMB since its founding is stronger than ever. We have the right mission, vision and values. We have the right plans for the future. We have achieved financial stability. We have smart, skilled and dedicated people working together in a culture of innovation, flexibility and adaptability. And we enjoy the broad perspective and valuable support of countless friends and alumni.

UTMB faculty, students and staff hope you will stay informed and involved during these exciting times. One way to do that is by visiting www.utmb.edu.

Warm regards,
David L. Callender, MD
President