Greetings from Alumni News

Across the six schools of UTHealth Houston, our alumni and the students who follow in their footsteps are our most esteemed gifts. Through their work, they extend our university’s tradition of excellence by transforming health and changing lives in our communities and far beyond. In this inaugural issue of UTHealth Houston Alumni News, we spotlight the remarkable achievements of our alumni, students, and faculty, and look ahead to exciting developments in the coming year. 

I am pleased to share these stories, which feature the people, ideas, and pursuits that make our university extraordinary—from students across the university leading a health drive, to thought-provoking conversations with outstanding alumni, to observing our university’s 50th anniversary. We also commemorate a milestone with the launch of our first comprehensive fundraising campaign, Many Faces. One Mission. 

As you read these stories, I hope you will celebrate our accomplishments with us and continue to connect with the university and your fellow graduates. With the recent launch of our online UTHealth Houston Alumni Community, it is easier than ever to network with other alumni and open doors of opportunity for students. You can get involved by visiting uthealthhoustonalumni.org. 

As we entered the fall semester with hope for a healthy, engaging academic year, we give special thanks to our many alumni who have safeguarded our communities through the pandemic by providing expert care, developing critical health policies, and driving breakthroughs for better treatments. We are pleased to welcome students back to in-person classes and activities amid improving COVID-19 trends. 

On behalf of UTHealth Houston, thank you for setting a powerful example for the next generation of health science professionals and for carrying our university’s legacy through your work.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Blackburn, PhD
Dean and John P. McGovern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Endowed Distinguished Professor
MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

William S. Kilroy, Sr. Distinguished University Chair in Pulmonary Disease
Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer
UTHealth Houston