Sixteen University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston faculty and staff and one student have earned UTMB President’s Cabinet awards totaling more than $230,000. The eight winning programs include a program to teach elementary school students in Galveston the importance of oral health, the creation of a “toolkit” for breast cancer support groups to encourage physical activity and the establishment of a dedicated, technology-enabled space for the fabrication of devices that can improve patient care.

The President’s Cabinet provides financial resources that advance UTMB’s mission to improve health. Contributions from the cabinet’s more than 400 members provide seed money to start programs.

President’s Cabinet members have contributed more than $5 million since 1993, with more than 100 awards given to innovative community programs.

The 2015 awards were given to:

Erin Kearney,
Ann Ross,
Elizabeth Ginn,
and Martha Norris

“Shaping Healthy Families: Screening, Treating, Educating and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Obesity and Dyslipidemia in Galveston County”
The project seeks to reduce obesity rates by collaborating with the Teen Health Center, Inc. to identify children 10 or older who are overweight or obese and provide family counseling, weight loss education and nutritional skills in addition to screens for high cholesterol.

Dr. Karen Szauter

“We Need to Talk”
Through a series of simulations, based on real-life examples, UTMB faculty and staff will learn to master the skills needed to engage in difficult conversations with their peers, executive management and students while being coached and receiving feedback in a confidential setting.

Deana M. Gehring

“Patient Navigation – Improving Outcomes and Reducing Barriers to Care”
Navigators help patients overcome socioeconomic obstacles, maneuver through the health care system, coordinate follow-up appointments, investigate financial resources and provide continuity of services. To provide navigation services for uninsured and medically underserved women, the UTMB Cancer Center will extend this program to satellite clinics and allow the creation and administration of a comprehensive patient database to manage demographic, clinical, coding and billing information.

Maria C. Swartz, Ph.D., and
Elizabeth Lyons, Ph.D.

“Pink Warrior: Support Group Toolkit for Breast Cancer Survivors”
Working with the UTMB Breast Cancer Support Group, this project will help increase physical activity among breast cancer survivors by funding a program coordinator and development of a “toolkit” of materials to serve women in Galveston County.

Rebecca Trout

“The Return of UTMB’s Mini Medical School”
The series of seven weekly classes is taught by UTMB faculty and centered on the university’s strengths and medical expertise. The inaugural session, scheduled for spring 2016, will cover inflammation research, vaccines, cardiology, women’s health, cancer care and research, neurodegenerative disease, transplants and bioengineering.

Kelsey Berg and
Barbara Slusher

“Teaching Others Oral Technique and Hygiene”
To help combat tooth decay—the number one chronic disease of childhood—the TOOTH project will be implemented at Galveston’s Parker Elementary School with a series of three, 30-minute sessions on the importance of oral health.

Christine Arcari, Ph.D.,
Shannon Ronca,
Ariel Ludwig,
Michaela Huynh and
Sergio Rodriguez

“Building the Future of UTMB Health and Galveston through Urban Farming”
This project aims to transform underused plots of land into organic urban farm sites to provide sustainable and organic fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs and goat dairy products to island residents year-round. In addition to providing information about the importance of healthy food choices, island food banks and other organizations will gain access to local produce.

David Marshall, D.N.P.

“Establishing a MakerNurse Medical Makerspace at UTMB Health”
The UTMB Makerspace, the first of its kind in the U.S., will enable nurses to create innovative breakthrough solutions in medical technology to improve patient care. The area is equipped with necessary tools and materials and has a resident design fellow to help develop prototypes for new devices or upgrades to existing devices.