By COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH
Student enrollment in UTMB’s four schools increased by 42 percent from the fall of 2006 to the fall of 2014. The biggest percentage increase was at the School of Health Professions, where the number of students rose more than 85 percent. The School of Nursing also showed impressive growth with a 69.3 percent increase. The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences’ fall numbers went up by 18.7 percent and the School of Medicine increased its student enrollment by 8.1 percent. Total current enrollment of all the schools is more than 3,200.
Wear blue
March is Colon Cancer Awareness month and UTMB employees are being encouraged to wear blue on March 6 in support of colon cancer research, survivors and caregivers. Information about the disease will be distributed in the lobby of John Sealy Hospital on that day.
Temple honored
The Texas Council on Family Violence during February is honoring Dr. Jeff Temple for being a finalist for its Advocate of the Year award. The council launched a campaign to honor all finalists during February, which is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention month. Temple, associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and director of Behavioral Health and Research at UTMB, is vice chairman of a state task force on domestic violence.
Temple, a psychologist who specializes in the study and treatment of intimate partner violence, has written several studies about social sexting.
Run up the causeway
The School of Health Professions is hosting the SHP Causeway FunD Run/Walk on March 7, in partnership with FitTriRun, to benefit student scholarships.
Online registration, which is available until noon, March 6 is at causewayrun.com. Early registration has ended but you can still register for the kid’s 1k for $20; all other races/walks are $40. Awards will be given for first, second and third place in all categories. For more information, call the SHP Causeway Fund Run Hotline at 409-772-3006.
Ebola drill
UTMB recently participated in a regional drill in which a mock “Ebola” patient was transported from Houston to UTMB’s Emergency Department and then treated at UTMB’S isolation treatment area. State officials last year designated UTMB an official Ebola treatment and infectious disease bio containment facility, largely in recognition of existing and unique expertise and capabilities. The simulated patient was treated in an area away from other patients and “care” was provided by a UTMB team trained to provide specialized care for infectious diseases.
Diabetic? Live a healthy lifestyle
UTMB and the Brazoria County Health Department have developed a series of classes to help people with diabetes live a healthy lifestyle. UTMB’s Kathleen Tiernan, associate professor and director of Health Outcomes, gave the first presentation, “How to be a healthy diabetic.” For information on upcoming classes, contact Cathy Sprusch, of the Brazoria County Health Department at cathys@brazoria-county.com or 979-864-1484.
Inside UTMB is compiled by the communications department at the University of Texas Medical Branch.