Houston Chronicle, Jan. 3, 2009
UTMB is mentioned in this article about what numerous universities will be asking from the state Legislature when it convenes in a few days.
Galveston County Daily News, Jan. 5, 2009
This guest column urges the reopening of the day care center at UTMB and mentions that a group of parents and the former director of the center have presented a business proposal to UT and UTMB leadership, hoping to lease the former Childcare Center building.
Houston Chronicle, Jan. 2, 2009
FEMA announced the first $73 million of funding that will be given to UTMB for reimbursement of money it has spent to repair damage caused by Hurricane Ike. A FEMA official said the money, targeted for UTMB’s most urgent post-Ike recovery needs, is the first of a series of outlays that the agency will make in coming months. A version of this article also was published by the Galveston County Daily News at http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=55c1ad2c844b2ee548d408dea9224ac6
Galveston County Daily News, Jan. 5, 2009
UTMB was one of three finalists for the 2008 AAMC Spencer Foreman Award for Outstanding Community Service awarded by the Association of American Medical Colleges. (No link available.)
Galveston County Daily News, Jan. 5, 2009
Anand Bhat, a third-year medical student won the 2008 Hector P. Garcia M.D. Cultural Competency Essay Competition. Carla Kantara, a student in the graduate school, won the second place award and Margaret Wardlaw, an M.D.-Ph.D. student, won third place. (No link available.)
Galveston County Daily News, Jan. 2, 2009
The paper published a letter written to UTMB employees by the university’s interim chancellor, Kenneth Shine. “I emphatically state the UT System’s commitment to the health and longevity of UTMB. …There is no plan to dismantle or systematically move UTMB elsewhere. As I stated at the town hall meeting, at the dedication of the Galveston National Laboratory, and at a special legislative hearing Dec. 3, the board of regents and UT System are committed to rebuilding a strong and financially-sound academic health center at UTMB.”
Galveston County Daily News, Jan. 2, 2009
Genesis Daniela Rodriguez was born at 1:28 a.m. at the University of Texas Medical Branch, making her the first baby born in Galveston County in 2009. Genesis was the first of six babies delivered early Thursday morning at UTMB.
Genesis Daniela Rodriguez is the first baby born in 2009 at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She is also the first baby born in Galveston County this year.
Genesis, the daughter of Lilian Rodriguez and Manuel Bonilla of Houston, was born at 1:28 a.m., Jan. 1, weighing in at five pounds, 14 ounces.
“My wish for her is that she will grow up to be a good and kind person,” Rodriguez said.
Genesis was due on Christmas Eve, Rodriguez said, but came a little late.
The new baby has a seven year old sister, Jesica. Her aunt and uncle, Maria Margarita and Jose Basilio Chicas were also on hand to greet the new baby and the new year.
UTMB nurses presented the Rodriguez family with a basket of good wishes.
Galveston County Daily News, Dec. 30, 2008
UTMB’s Dr. Victor Sierpina and second-year medical student Janice Tyler are quoted in this article about a forum meant to discuss possible solutions to the nation’s health care problems. President-elect Obama’s transition team has been organizing these forums to gather information for the new administration. “The disruption of UTMB’s health system has created threats to patient care and limited access to care. This is a microcosm of what is occurring nationally,” Sierpina said. “UTMB’s plight and that of our patients is an example of a problem that, if solved, can help shine a light on the larger, national health care system,” Tyler said.
Galveston County Daily News, Dec. 30 2008
UTMB’s Kathy Shingleton is quoted in this article about a decision by officials not to pay about $3 million in bonuses to UTMB employees. “It was hard, but it was the right thing to do,” Shingleton said. “People know they can’t count on that, but you always hope.”
