Linked by what President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, called a common “desire to contribute in a unique and meaningful way for the benefit of others,” 19 members of the faculty and staff were honored March 6 with Presidential Awards from UT Health San Antonio.
Byron Hepburn, M.D., Major General USAF (Ret), director of the Military Health Institute, stepped in and served as emcee of the ceremony for President Henrich.
“There would be no UT Health without the efforts of individuals, like our awardees tonight, who give of themselves in the selfless service of others,” Dr. Hepburn said. “We are very proud to honor you tonight.”
On behalf of the president, Dr. Hepburn also thanked the selection committees chaired by Jacqueline Mok, Ph.D., vice president for academic, faculty and students affairs, and Maritza Ramirez from the Office of Human Resources.
The winners were acknowledged with a congratulatory Senate Proclamation from the state of Texas by state Sen. Jose Menendez of San Antonio as well as a monetary gift.
The winners are:
Distinguished Senior Research Scholar:
- Tyler Curiel, M.D., M.P.H., professor, Daisy M. Skinner President’s Chair in Cancer Immunology, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine; professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
Distinguished Junior Research Scholar:
- Andrew D. J. Meyer, M.D., M.S., assistant professor, Division of Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
Distinguished Service to the Institution:
- Kimatha Oxford Grice, O.T.D., OTR, CHT, associate professor and Distinguished Teaching Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions
Teaching Excellence Awards:
- Maria Danet Lapiz Bluhm, Ph.D., RN, associate professor, School of Nursing
- Sean E. Garcia, M.D., FHM, associate professor, Division of General and Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
- Eileen M. Lafer, Ph.D., professor, Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, director, Center for Macromolecular Interactions, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
- James Lechleiter, Ph.D., professor, Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
- Mark T. Nadeau, M.D., M.B.A., FAAFP, professor/clinical, residency program director, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
- Diane Sullivan, D.D.S., assistant professor, Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, School of Dentistry
Clinical Excellence Awards:
- Gregory Bowling, M.D., associate professor, Division of General and Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
- Richard Crownover, M.D., Ph.D., professor and residency program director, Department of Radiation Oncology, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
- Sylvia Leal-Castañon, M.D., associate professor/clinical, Department of Pediatrics – Ambulatory Care, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
- Neela K. Patel, M.D., M.P.H., CMD, associate professor, chief, Division of Geriatrics & Palliative Care, Department of Family & Community Medicine, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine; medical director, UT Medicine Senior Health Clinic & Acute Care for Elders & Palliative Care Program, Christus Santa Rosa Hospital in the Medical Center
Employee Excellence Awards:
- Herlinda Howard, business administrator, Office of the Vice President for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs, Briscoe Library
- Beth Payne, M.A.Ed., C-TAGME, LSSBB, director, academic programs, associate program director, Department of Pediatrics, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
- Leonard Rodriguez, senior public safety officer, UT Police
- Mary Rowe, associate administrator, research program, Department of Medicine, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
- Melanie Stone, M.P.H., M.Ed., assistant director for Community Service Learning, Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
- Christine Trevino, business administrator, Barshop Institute, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine