News and Events
HealthLeader: Over 18 (and Sick as a Dog)
For parents, medical worries don’t end when children move out
Here’s how to wring your hands… long distance
Part one of a two-part series
STORY BY
Arlene Nisson Lassin
Just a few weeks from my son’s law school graduation, I was thinking how close I was to the parenting finish line. He was soon to be degreed, employed and miles away. This was where I could officially retire my worrying. It was an exhilarating feeling.
Then came the late-night long distance call from an emergency room. The diagnosis: a possible torn ACL (one of the major ligaments of the knee.)
Not even a week later, I received another late-night call from my son, this time from his home. He was experiencing unusual swelling and after a call to his doctor, was told there might be a blood clot.. Continue reading “HealthLeader: Over 18 (and Sick as a Dog)” »
UT Physicians opens comprehensive health center for seniors
In response to the growing population of people over the age of 65 in the Houston area, UT Physicians has opened the UT Center for Healthy Aging. The center, located in Suite 130 at 6700 West Loop South, is a premiere health clinic dedicated solely to the well-being of older adults. Continue reading “UT Physicians opens comprehensive health center for seniors” »
HealthLeader: The Owner’s Manual (for Your Body)
STORY BY
Camille Webb
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Change the oil every 3,000 miles. Rotate the tires every 6,000. The owner’s manual for our vehicles is filled with lists and schedules that inform us when to do the routine tune-ups to maximize the life of our cars.
So, where’s our owner’s manual? Below is a maintenance schedule to keep you motoring along at peak performance, maximizing the life of… you. Continue reading “HealthLeader: The Owner’s Manual (for Your Body)” »
UT Physicians at Sienna Village offers free school and sports physicals at open house
To celebrate its grand opening, UT Physicians at Sienna Village will offer clinic tours and free school and sports physicals for children during two open houses in August. The events are 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Aug. 7 and Aug. 14 at 8810 Highway 6, Suite 100.
The physicals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so call 713.486.1200 to make an appointment. Continue reading “UT Physicians at Sienna Village offers free school and sports physicals at open house” »
U.S. News & World Report ranks two Memorial Hermann hospitals
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and TIRR Memorial Hermann have earned distinction as two of the nation’s top hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals” issue.
Just 152 hospitals of more than 5,100 U.S. hospitals meet the rigorous criteria required to be recognized as a “Top 50 hospital” in key medical/surgical specialties.
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center was newly recognized in the areas of Heart and Heart Surgery and Gynecology. The hospital continues to place in the areas of Urology and Kidney Disease, moving up in both specialties. Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center ranked 46 in Heart and Heart Surgery, 38 in Gynecology, 30 in Kidney Disorders, and 48 in Urology. Continue reading “U.S. News & World Report ranks two Memorial Hermann hospitals” »
HealthLeader: Depression in the Elderly
It’s real and it’s dangerous.
It is also treatable.
STORY BY
Melissa McDonald
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Maureen Duffy’s memories of her grandmother are cloudy. Not because of time, but by a condition that cast a shadow over the woman Duffy had visited as a child.
“She was blue. Even as a child I could see it. She was very negative and just could never really find any joy in life…not even from her children or grandchildren,” Duffy recalls. “A physician diagnosed her with depression, but she was only given tranquilizers. She was not a happy person. By the time she went to a nursing home, no one wanted to visit her. It hurt my heart.” Continue reading “HealthLeader: Depression in the Elderly” »
HealthLeader: Whooping Cough – Rise in cases makes it ‘worth a shot’
STORY BY
Jacquelyn Preston and Karen Krakower Kaplan
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If you think you shouldn’t be worried about your child’s—or your—lingering, nagging cough, think again. Pertussis has reemerged on the scene. In what some public health officials are calling the worst outbreak in 50 years, pertussis, better known by its unique sound—whooping cough, has been found in six states (Texas being one of them) with 1,500 cases reported, six of them fatal.
It’s probably time to check that immunization record. Continue reading “HealthLeader: Whooping Cough – Rise in cases makes it ‘worth a shot’” »
11 News House Calls: Dr. Love answers questions about ADHD
House Calls with UT Physicians – Dr. LaTanya Love answers your health care questions every Friday at 5 P.M. on KHOU Channel 11. Continue reading “11 News House Calls: Dr. Love answers questions about ADHD” »
New grant to study venous insufficiency role in multiple sclerosis
The Medical School is one of three institutions in the United States to receive an initial grant to study chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in multiple sclerosis (MS). The grant is part of an over $2.3 million joint commitment from the National MS Society and the MS Society of Canada. Continue reading “New grant to study venous insufficiency role in multiple sclerosis” »
Psychiatry resident named diversity leadership fellow
Dr. Nubia Lluberes, a third-year psychiatry resident, has been selected as an American Psychiatric Association (APA) Diversity Leadership Fellow. Continue reading “Psychiatry resident named diversity leadership fellow” »
Safety grant first to include patient, family
A new grant from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will help Medical School researchers review a disclosure and compensation model for injured patients and their families in an effort to improve safety and the quality of care. The $1.8 million grant was one of just seven demonstration grants awarded nationally. Continue reading “Safety grant first to include patient, family” »
Wang elected treasurer of Sexual Medicine Society of North America
Dr. Run Wang, associate professor of surgery and the Cecil M. Crigler, MD Chair in Urology, recently was elected treasurer of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) at the organization’s annual meeting in San Francisco. Continue reading “Wang elected treasurer of Sexual Medicine Society of North America” »
Arnett elected ACP Master
Dr. Frank Arnett, clinical professor of internal medicine and holder of the Elizabeth Bidgood Chair in Rheumatology and Linda K. Finger Chair in Autoimmune and Connective Tissue Diseases, has been elected to Mastership of the American College of Physicians (ACP). Continue reading “Arnett elected ACP Master” »
UTHealth named Center of Excellence for Guillain-Barré and other inflammatory disorders
The GBS/CIDP Foundation International has designated The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) as one of seven initial Centers of Excellence for the diagnosis and treatment of two inflammatory disorders. Continue reading “UTHealth named Center of Excellence for Guillain-Barré and other inflammatory disorders” »
UT Physicians opens location at Sienna Village
UT Physicians has opened a comprehensive family health center serving Sienna Plantation and neighboring communities. Conveniently located adjacent to H-E-B in the Sienna Village Shopping Center, the health center offers primary and specialty care for children, adolescents, and adults. Continue reading “UT Physicians opens location at Sienna Village” »
New Asperger’s clinic opens
Recognizing an unmet need in the Houston area, UTHealth has opened a new clinic called Changing Lives through Autism Spectrum Services (CLASS) for intellectually able people age 16 and older with Asperger’s syndrome or another autism spectrum disorder. Continue reading “New Asperger’s clinic opens” »
Research validates therapeutic advantages of new cancer therapy
New research by scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center could make it easier for patients to use a family of promising experimental cancer therapeutics known as small interfering RNA (siRNA). Continue reading “Research validates therapeutic advantages of new cancer therapy” »
Study reveals new genetic link to scleroderma
An international research consortium including scientists from the Medical School has identified a new genetic link to the systemic form of scleroderma. Continue reading “Study reveals new genetic link to scleroderma” »
Medical mission — destination Guatemala
Dr. Philip Johnson, professor of internal medicine, has been going to Guatemala for many, many, many years volunteering in nonmedical situations. Five years ago, he joined forces with an organization called Faith In Practice, which is based here in Houston. The two had one love and one primary goal: Guatemala and providing medical care to the people of Guatemala whose health is poor at best. Continue reading “Medical mission — destination Guatemala” »
Hunter wins Caldwell Award
Dr. Robert Hunter, chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, is the 2010 recipient of the George T. Caldwell Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Society of Pathologists. Continue reading “Hunter wins Caldwell Award” »
Sen receives AMA Foundation research seed grant
Shiraj Sen, a M.D./Ph.D. student in Dr. Heinrich Taegtmeyer’s lab, was one of 38 recipients of this year’s American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation’s Seed Grants. Established in 2000, the program provides small grants to medical students, physician residents, and fellows to conduct basic science or clinical research projects. Continue reading “Sen receives AMA Foundation research seed grant” »
NIH clinical trial to study brain cooling and stroke in elderly
Medical School researchers are a part of the largest clinical trial to date of hypothermia (brain cooling) for stroke. The $1.1 million study is funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health. Continue reading “NIH clinical trial to study brain cooling and stroke in elderly” »
West named ACR fellow, ASER gold medalist
Dr. O. Clark West, professor of diagnostic and interventional imaging, recently was honored with two national radiology accolades. Continue reading “West named ACR fellow, ASER gold medalist” »
UT medical team helps Haiti
The amount of infection and the resilience of the people were what surprised Dr. Milan Sen most about the recent trip he and a group of 23 medical professionals from the Texas Medical Center took to Haiti to aid earthquake victims. Continue reading “UT medical team helps Haiti” »
Research shows modified adult stem cells may be helpful in spinal cord injury
Department of Neurosurgery researchers have demonstrated in rats that transplanting genetically modified adult stem cells into an injured spinal cord can help restore the electrical pathways associated with movement. The results are published in the Feb. 24 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience. Continue reading “Research shows modified adult stem cells may be helpful in spinal cord injury” »
Research participants needed for metabolic syndrome study
It is estimated that more than 50 million Americans have metabolic syndrome, which is marked primarily by abdominal obesity, increased blood pressure, and insulin resistance or glucose intolerance. Medical School researchers are studying whether a diet of rice improves symptoms associated with this condition. Continue reading “Research participants needed for metabolic syndrome study” »
$2.4M grant to examine obesity, high-risk pregnancy
The link between obesity and high-risk pregnancies caused by preeclampsia and diabetes will be the focus of a $2.4 million National Institutes of Health research grant received by Dr. Sean Blackwell, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences. Continue reading “$2.4M grant to examine obesity, high-risk pregnancy” »
Grant supports bone graft research to treat battlefield injuries
The Airlift Research Foundation has awarded $200,000 to a Dental Branch researcher to work collaboratively with Medical School faculty on developing infection-resistant bone grafts to treat battlefield injuries. Continue reading “Grant supports bone graft research to treat battlefield injuries” »
Goldman receives Texas Radiological Society gold medal
Dr. Stanford Goldman, professor of diagnostic and interventional imaging and urology, is this year’s recipient of the Texas Radiological Society’s Gold Medal award for Outstanding Service to Radiology and Radiologists in Texas. Continue reading “Goldman receives Texas Radiological Society gold medal” »
UT cardiologist honored on 20th anniversary of Preventive Cardiology Forum
Twenty years ago, Dr. Francisco Fuentes created a forum to provide the most current information about cardiovascular disease prevention to those who are on the front lines of fighting heart disease. Continue reading “UT cardiologist honored on 20th anniversary of Preventive Cardiology Forum” »
New Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders aims to unmask mysteries of mood disturbances
Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, are among the most frequent mental illnesses. Scientific findings suggest that as many as 20.9 million American adults suffer from mood disorders, which are leading causes of disability. Further, the impact of depression on people’s well-being seems to be comparable to the effects of the most disabling chronic diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis, and hypertension. Continue reading “New Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders aims to unmask mysteries of mood disturbances” »
Hancock secures $1.4M in new cancer funds from state
Texas plans to invest $3 billion in cancer research over the next 10 years, and researchers at the Medical School are among the first to receive grants. Continue reading “Hancock secures $1.4M in new cancer funds from state” »
Study on vaccine to prevent cytomegalovirus seeks volunteers
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is currently conducting a study about cytomegalovirus (CMV) in adolescent girls. CMV is a common cause of mild upper respiratory illness, sometimes with fever and enlarged lymph nodes, in children of all ages. CMV can be passed from a mother to her unborn infant during pregnancy and cause more serious consequences. The researchers are interested in learning how to prevent this virus in young women. Continue reading “Study on vaccine to prevent cytomegalovirus seeks volunteers” »
Thoracic aortic disease focus of UT Talks
How many of you have family members who have suffered a heart attack? Continue reading “Thoracic aortic disease focus of UT Talks” »
Rheumatologists advance genetic research related to disabling form of arthritis
Work done in part by Medical School researchers has led to the discovery of two new genes that are implicated in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory and potentially disabling disease. In addition, the international research team has pinpointed two areas along stretches of DNA that play an important role in regulating gene activity associated with the arthritic condition. Continue reading “Rheumatologists advance genetic research related to disabling form of arthritis” »
Gasko appointed chair of education council
Dr. John Gasko, director of state initiatives for the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI), has been appointed chair of the Texas State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care. Continue reading “Gasko appointed chair of education council” »
Noblin named Outstanding Volunteer
Sarah Jane Noblin, genetic counselor in the Department of Pediatrics, recently was named the 2009 National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Outstanding Volunteer at the group’s Annual Education Conference in Atlanta. Continue reading “Noblin named Outstanding Volunteer” »
Researchers launch second phase of stem cell study
Medical School researchers have launched the second phase of a clinical trial testing a new stem cell-based therapy on injured heart muscle. Continue reading “Researchers launch second phase of stem cell study” »
Varicose Vein Treatment Program
Half of all Americans over age 50, and two-thirds of women over age 60, suffer from varicose veins. The problem is far more than cosmetic. The pain, swelling and leg fatigue can really discourage an active lifestyle. Severe varicose veins can even cause chronic infections and skin ulcerations. Continue reading “Varicose Vein Treatment Program” »
Herbert L. and Margaret W. DuPont Master Clinical Teaching Award: Dr. Francisco Fuentes
Dr. Francisco Fuentes, professor of internal medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, is the recipient of the 2009 Herbert L. and Margaret W. DuPont Master Clinical Teaching Award. Continue reading “Herbert L. and Margaret W. DuPont Master Clinical Teaching Award: Dr. Francisco Fuentes” »
