Dear UT Health San Antonio faculty and staff:
Every day, our employees work tirelessly to advance our missions of education, research, clinical care and community service. Established in 1985, the Presidential Excellence Awards recognize exemplary performance by individuals who consistently excel in their positions and demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and core values of UT Health San Antonio. The annual awards provide the university the opportunity to recognize outstanding faculty and staff contributions.
Many deserving faculty and staff were recently nominated to be honored with a Presidential Excellence Award for demonstrating exceptional service in their respective fields. We are grateful to the selection committees, led by Jacqueline Mok, PhD, vice president for academic, faculty and student affairs, and Danielle McDavid, PHR, strategic human resources partner in the Office of Human Resources, for their careful review of those nominated and their selection of the following awardees.
Please join us in congratulating our 2025 Presidential Excellence Award recipients who will be honored with a plaque and cash award during an April dinner event.
Distinguished Senior Research Scholar
Armen Akopian, PhD, Professor, Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry
Junior Research Scholar
Shangang Zhao, PhD, Assistant Professor, Barshop Institute for Aging and Longevity Studies, Division of Endocrinology, Long School of Medicine
Clinical Excellence
Tiencheng Arthur Chang, PhD, HCLD, Professor/Research, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Long School of Medicine
Danielle M. Fritze, MD, Associate Professor/Clinical, Department of Surgery, Transplant Center, Long School of Medicine
Anoop M. Nambiar, MD, MS, FCCP, Professor/Clinical, Pulmonary Diseases & Critical Care Medicine, Long School of Medicine
Teaching Excellence – Emerging
Sarah C. Hopp, PhD, Assistant Professor, Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Pharmacology, Long School of Medicine
Jason W. Kempenich, MD, FACS, Associate Professor/Clinical, Division of General and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Long School of Medicine
Justin R. Mascitelli, MD, FAANS, Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Long School of Medicine
Catherine Torrington Eaton, PhD, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Health Professions
Teaching Excellence – Sustained
Adelita G. Cantu, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, Office of Faculty Excellence, School of Nursing
Sarah M. Page-Ramsey, MD, FACOG, Jane and Roland Blumberg Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assistant Dean for Health Systems Science (Graduate Medical Education), Long School of Medicine
Kristine Vogel, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Long School of Medicine
Staff Individual Excellence
Cliff E. Despres, Senior Director for Communications, Institute for Health Promotion Research
Heather Koenig, CPRA, Grants & Contracts Specialist-Lead, Office of Sponsored Programs
Jeremy M. Mercier, MSIS, PMP, Manager, Business Intelligence Team, Department of Business Systems Services
Juliette Montemayor, JD, Director, Educational Support Services & Title IX Coordinator, Department of Academic, Faculty and Student Services
Blanca Bidart Sandoval, MBA, Manager, Office of Finance and Administration
Staff Team Excellence
Team Name: Health Confianza
Team Leader: Jason Rosenfeld, DrPH, MPH, CHWI, Associate Professor/Research
Team Members:
Santos Barrientes, CHW, Community Outreach Coordinator-Senior
Adelita G. Cantu, PhD, RN, Professor
Maria G. Castillo DeLeon, Community Outreach Coordinator-Senior
Cynthia Parker, CHW, Community Outreach Coordinator-Senior
Melanie A. Stone, DrPH, MEd, Assistant Professor/Research
Mia Kisako Vento, Project Coordinator-Senior
Sandra Selene Zaragoza, MA, Marketing & Comm Specialist-Senior
Team Name: School of Nursing Student Success Center
Team Leader: Angela M. Watts, PhD, Director, Academic Enhancement
Team Members:
Julian O. Banuelos, Academic Success Coach
Camille C. Garcia, Management Analyst
Evelyn Michelle Kosalka-Pena, MEd, Program Coordinator
Benjamin David Martinez, MEd, Academic Programs Coordinator-Lead
Barbara Pearl Masch, MEd, Writing Coach
Vanessa B. Meling, EdD, MBA, Associate Dean
Sara M. Mithani, PhD, Assistant Professor
Rose Mary Padilla, Administrative Assistant-Senior
Sabrina C. Zertuche, MA, Writing Coach
We offer our sincerest congratulations to all.
Taylor Eighmy, PhD
Acting President
UT Health San Antonio
Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD
Senior Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Health System
UT Health San Antonio