Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses honors six from UTHealth Houston
UTHealth Houston was well represented at the 26th annual Salute to Nurses Luncheon and Reception. (Photo by UTHealth Houston)
Compassion, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to patient care took center stage April 29 as the Houston Chronicle awarded six nurses from UTHealth Houston for going above and beyond in patient care during its 26th annual Salute to Nurses Luncheon and Reception.
Held at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, the event brought together hospital leaders, medical educators, and distinguished nurses from across the Greater Houston area. The annual celebration, driven by nominations from readers, recognizes nurses who go above and beyond in delivering compassionate, high-quality care to their patients and communities.
This year’s luncheon highlighted the Top 200 nurses selected from hundreds of community-submitted nominations, with honorees recognized for excellence in clinical practice, leadership, education, and service.
UTHealth Houston was well represented among this year’s honorees, with six nurses recognized for their contributions across clinical care, education, and behavioral health.
Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston honoree
Jennifer E.S. Beauchamp, PhD, RN, FAAN, serves as the Nancy B. Willerson Distinguished Professor in Nursing at Cizik School of Nursing and directs the Mental Health Program at the UTHealth Houston Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. A fellow of the American Academy of Nurses, she is recognized for her leadership in advancing nursing science and interdisciplinary research.
Beauchamp joined UTHealth Houston in 2001 as a senior research nurse for the Texas Medical Center Genetics Project while completing both her Master of Science in Nursing and PhD. She later served as project lead for The University of Texas System Health Biobank Consortium and now directs the Cizik Nursing Research Institute’s Biobehavioral Health Biomarker Discovery Service Center, supporting research across all UTHealth Houston schools.
A behavioral scientist, her work focuses on stroke prevention and the impact of psychosocial stressors following stroke. She and her team developed RÁPIDO, a Spanish-language stroke awareness initiative adopted by the American Stroke Association, helping expand education and improve outcomes in underserved communities.
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston honoree
Jessica Gomez, PhD, APRN, NNP-BC, serves as a neonatal nurse practitioner and nurse scientist at McGovern Medical School, where she also contributes as an advanced practice provider education coordinator and an instructor in the Department of Pediatrics. Her work bridges clinical care, research, and education to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable patients.
Gomez has extensive experience in neonatal intensive care, providing advanced clinical care at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and previously serving as a registered nurse in Level III and IV neonatal intensive care units. Her research focuses on the role of human milk in improving health outcomes for preterm infants, with an emphasis on supporting lactation for mothers experiencing separation from their newborns.
An accomplished scholar, Gomez has led and contributed to multiple research studies, secured grant funding, and published in leading peer-reviewed journals in neonatal and perinatal care. She earned her doctoral degree from Cizik School of Nursing and has been recognized with numerous honors, including national research awards and distinctions for excellence in neonatal nursing and education.
UT Physicians honorees
Diana Martinez, RN, serves as a nurse clinician II at UT Physicians Bayshore Multispecialty Clinic, where she provides care across urology, urogynecology, and obstetrics and gynecology. With more than 18 years of experience in clinical settings, she is known for her strong interpersonal skills, bilingual communication, and commitment to patient-centered care.
Martinez joined UT Physicians in 2024 following several years at The University of Texas Medical Branch, where she specialized in surgical oncology and colorectal care. In that role, she coordinated surgeries, delivered pre- and postoperative education, and supported patients through oncology surveillance and recovery, including wound and ostomy care.
She began her career as a medical assistant before earning her Associate Degree in Nursing from San Jacinto College and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington. Martinez is also an active member of clinic safety and quality improvement committees, contributing to ongoing efforts to enhance patient care and clinical operations.
Micheal Reyes, LVN, provides patient care as a licensed vocational nurse at UT Physicians Bayshore Multispecialty Clinic, where he supports a wide range of specialties, including rheumatology, neurology, cardiology, and gastroenterology. Known for his attention to detail and strong communication skills, he plays a key role in maintaining efficient clinic operations and delivering high-quality patient care.
In his role, Reyes conducts patient assessments, administers medications, and educates individuals undergoing specialty testing and treatments. He also assists with clinical procedures such as joint injections and aspirations, while serving as a preceptor for new staff and contributing to a collaborative, team-based care environment.
Reyes began his nursing career after earning his vocational nursing certification from San Jacinto College. He previously worked in dialysis care, where he monitored patients throughout treatment and responded to clinical emergencies.
UTHealth Houston Harris County Psychiatric Center honorees
Niki Tavoussi, BSN, RN, was named among the Top 200 nurses and serves as a senior patient relations specialist at the UTHealth Houston Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC), where she focuses on patient advocacy, safety, and quality improvement. With a background in psychiatric nursing and leadership, she is known for fostering trust among patients, families, and care teams in complex clinical environments.
Tavoussi began her career at HCPC as a staff nurse, where she advanced to a leadership role as charge nurse, overseeing unit operations, coordinating patient care, and guiding interdisciplinary communication. In her current role, she investigates patient concerns and incidents, analyzing medical records and coordinating with clinical teams to support accountability and enhance the patient experience.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University and is completing a Master of Science in Nursing Administration at Lamar University.
Sam George, BSN, RN, provides care as a registered nurse at HCPC, where he specializes in crisis intervention, behavioral health stabilization, and patient education. With more than eight years of experience across psychiatric and medical-surgical settings, he is recognized for his compassionate approach and ability to work effectively in high-intensity clinical environments.
George’s nursing career includes international experience in both Saudi Arabia and India. At Dr. Fakhry Hospital in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, he contributed to quality improvement efforts that reduced surgical site infections through the implementation of enhanced aseptic protocols. He also provided critical care for ventilated cardiac patients at Kikabhai Cardiac Institute in Mumbai, strengthening his clinical expertise across diverse patient populations.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing, with an expected completion in 2027.
