University hosts UT System volunteer leaders for winter meeting
(Photo by UTHealth Houston)
The University of Texas System’s mission to improve the health and well-being of Texans was on full display Jan. 29-30 as UTHealth Houston hosted the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee Winter Business Meeting, offering a comprehensive look at how the institution is delivering on that promise through education, patient care, and research.
The two-day meeting brought the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee, a strategic advisory group of approximately 300 members who support the success of institutions across the UT System, and a record-setting attendance with more than 400 registrants to UTHealth Houston for an in-depth exploration of the university’s impact and future direction.
UTHealth Houston President Melina R. Kibbe, MD, emphasized that the meeting reflected more than institutional pride, highlighting how UTHealth Houston’s work elevates the UT System’s broader vision of service to Texans.
Members of the UT System Board of Regents in attendance included Christina Melton Crain, chairman of the Health Affairs Committee; Jodie Lee Jiles; Nolan Perez, MD; and Student Regent Luke Schwartz.
Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee Chair June Deadrick, a Houston native, shared her enthusiasm for returning to her hometown and said she is consistently impressed by the work underway at UTHealth Houston.
During the opening session, John M. Zerwas, MD, chancellor of The University of Texas System, expressed appreciation for the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee and its role in supporting institutions across the system. Zerwas noted that the council is unique nationally and said rotating meetings among campuses allows members to gain a deeper understanding of each institution. He also described the TMC3 Collaborative Building, host site for the first day of the event, as a global hub for health care innovation where UTHealth Houston and MD Anderson, both UT System health institutions, are conducting groundbreaking research.
Regent Crain described UTHealth Houston as “a place where people want to be” and introduced Kibbe as “an incomparable president.”
Kibbe opened her presentation by highlighting key milestones and strengths across the institution’s seven schools, from its deep historical roots to its expanding future impact. She noted UTHealth Houston’s designation as a Houston Chronicle Top Workplace for the 11th time, a distinction she said reflects the dedication and culture of its faculty and staff.
Kibbe detailed how each school contributes to meeting critical health needs across Texas. She highlighted UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry and its role as the sole provider of dental care for Harris Health System, as well as its delivery of free care through initiatives such as Give Kids A Smile, Give Vets a Smile, and Give Seniors a Smile. Kibbe highlighted MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences by noting the faculty research expenditures that have totaled over $476 million and boasting one of the top programs in cancer biology and genetic counseling.
She also shared enthusiasm for the new state-of-the-art research and education UTHealth Houston School of Public Health building opening later this year and reflected on the legacy of James H. “Red” Duke Jr., MD, noting Duke’s role in founding Life Flight and its lasting impact on McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.
Kibbe described Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston as “firing on all cylinders,” noting that support from the Future Nurses Fund enabled the school to double enrollment in one year to help address the nursing shortage. She also highlighted McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, which ranks No. 1 in Texas for artificial intelligence research funding. Kibbe highlighted UTHealth Houston’s academic psychiatric hospital, the nation’s largest with 538 beds, which serves as a key training and clinical site for UTHealth Houston School of Behavioral Health Sciences.
Calling behavioral health a defining strength of the institution, Kibbe said Texas is at an inflection point as the state faces a growing behavioral health crisis. She emphasized UTHealth Houston’s leadership in the field, including a $50 million statewide initiative in collaboration with UTMB Health, another UT System institution, to launch the nation’s first FDA-regulated clinical trials of ibogaine for addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury. She also noted that funding from the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) will accelerate brain research, positioning UTHealth Houston to become a national leader in behavioral health care.
Kibbe referenced her ongoing listening tour, during which she is visiting schools, clinics, and hospitals to hear what faculty, staff, and students are most proud of and where opportunities exist. She said the feedback will inform a strategic plan to guide UTHealth Houston’s future.
Showcasing innovation in the Texas Medical Center
Following the opening session, attendees participated in a series of breakout sessions highlighting UTHealth Houston’s research, clinical expertise, and community impact.
Breakout sessions generated strong engagement from Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee members, who asked detailed questions and participated in meaningful dialogue around research, clinical care, and statewide impact.
Inside the Aging Brain: New Frontiers in Stroke and Dementia
Faculty from McGovern Medical School and UTHealth Houston’s Institute on Aging led a session focused on how aging, inflammation, and vascular health influence brain function, from the sudden onset of stroke to the gradual progression of dementia.
Attendees had the opportunity to experience firsthand how lab-grown “mini brains” are helping scientists replicate disease processes and accelerate new treatments.
Presenters included Aanand Naik, MD, the Nancy P. and Vincent F. Guinee, MD, Distinguished Chair, director at the Institute on Aging, and associate dean for Learning and Health Systems and professor and chair of management, policy, and community health at the School of Public Health; Louise D. McCullough, MD, PhD, the Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington Distinguished Chair and professor and chair of the Department of Neurology at McGovern Medical School; and Anjail Z. Sharrief, MD, MPH, professor in the school’s Department of Neurology. The session was moderated by LaTanya J. Love, MD, dean of McGovern Medical School.
Naik emphasized UTHealth Houston’s commitment to supporting caregivers and preventing elder abuse and mistreatment, noting that caregivers play a critical role in the health and safety of older adults. He highlighted the UTHealth Houston Roybal Center, part of the National Institute on Aging’s Roybal Network, which focuses on developing and scaling interventions that equip caregivers of people with dementia with practical tools and support. Naik also described how multidisciplinary teams across UTHealth Houston are improving early diagnosis, strengthening caregiving resources, and promoting better long-term outcomes for individuals living with cognitive decline and those who care for them.
Speakers discussed how advances such as lab-grown brain models are accelerating discovery and redefining prevention, treatment and recovery for patients affected by neurologic disease.
Breaking the Cycle: A New Era in Behavioral Health
Members of CCEC had an opportunity to learn about how UTHealth Houston is reimagining behavioral health care by integrating prevention, early intervention, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across settings and throughout the lifespan.
The session featured Elaheh Ashtari, PsyD, associate professor in the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School; Tulsi Patel, RDH, MHA, associate professor and director of health promotion in the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene at the School of Dentistry; and Jeff R. Temple, PhD, the Betty and Rose Pfefferbaum Chair in Child Mass Trauma and Resilience and associate dean for clinical research at UTHealth Houston School of Behavioral Health Sciences.
Moderated by Lokesh Shahani, MD, PhD, MPH, associate professor and vice chair of inpatient clinical services, the discussion highlighted how research, compassionate practice, and system-level innovation are helping connect behavioral and physical health care while strengthening resilience and long-term well-being.
Transforming Early Development: From Brain Science to Brighter Futures
The breakout session focused on early childhood development and the critical importance of the first years of life, when a child’s brain reaches nearly 90% of its adult size.
Faculty leaders from the Children’s Learning Institute at McGovern Medical School shared how UTHealth Houston is translating neuroscience and developmental research into real-world tools and policies that support educators, families, and children statewide.
Presenters included Gabriel Anzueto, MD, the Raghuthaman Family Professor in Pediatric Neurology and Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and director of the Dan L Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic; and April Crawford, PhD, the Meg and Dick Weekley Distinguished Chair in Childhood Reading and Learning, Michael Matthew Knight Memorial Professor in Pediatrics, and co-director of the Children’s Learning Institute. The session was moderated by Mary E. Aitken, MD, MPH, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics.
Redefining Recovery: A New Model for Addiction Response
Thursday’s final breakout spotlighted UTHealth Houston’s Honor Nicole Wallace HEROES Program, an innovative approach that transforms emergency department encounters into entry points for long-term addiction treatment and recovery.
James Langabeer, PhD, the Robert H. Graham Professor in Entrepreneurial Biomedical Informatics and Bioengineering and professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, discussed how the Houston-based model integrates clinical expertise, data-driven insights and coordinated care to address the opioid crisis. The session was introduced by Jiajie Zhang, PhD, dean of McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics.
Langabeer shared how the program has influenced addiction response strategies across Texas and beyond, bridging crisis care and sustained recovery.
Advancing cardiovascular care and discovery
Friday’s program continued at the Post Oak Hotel with an educational session preceding the formal Winter Business Meeting. UTHealth Houston faculty highlighted advances in heart and vascular care that are expanding treatment options for patients with complex cardiovascular disease.
The session, moderated by Kibbe, featured Anthony L. Estrera, MD, the Hazim J. Safi, MD, Distinguished Chair and professor and chair of the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery; Abhijeet Dhoble, MD, professor of cardiovascular medicine; and Damian J. LaPar, MD, MSc, the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Distinguished Chair and professor of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery.
Estrera drew audible reactions from members of the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee as he described a groundbreaking, AI-based facial analysis tool being developed by UTHealth Houston researchers to help clinicians identify patients at risk for thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. The digital health technology uses subtle facial features to flag potential risk, offering the promise of earlier detection and lifesaving intervention.
Applause followed Dhoble’s presentation highlighting UTHealth Houston’s Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement program, which is the only program in Texas to earn a three-star rating — the highest possible designation — from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the American College of Cardiology. The program is also one of only 20 nationwide to receive the elite distinction, reflecting exceptional quality and outcomes in patient care.
LaPar delivered a powerful moment for the audience by sharing a video of a child born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition once considered universally fatal. Advances in surgical treatment have transformed outcomes, with survival rates now reaching 80% to 90%, he said, underscoring how innovation is reshaping the future of pediatric cardiac care.
“For us, what drives us is how can we make the greatest impact for generations to come,” LaPar said. “That is what drives us, and that’s what distinguishes us.”
Kibbe closed the session by reinforcing UTHealth Houston’s commitment to meaningful, measurable influence. “It’s all about impact. This is what we love to do,” she said. “Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for allowing us to share some of the things we are doing at UTHealth Houston and how we are elevating the UT System’s mission to improve the lives of Texans through education, research, and clinical care.”
