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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities

@utmb-phhd.bsky.social
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Access to health is a human right. That belief runs through UTMB PHHD’s research, education and service in Galveston, across the country and around the world. Learn more at utmb.edu/phhd
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
In the latest Get to Know Us video, Meredith Masel, PhD, MSW, describes how her team turned popular patient safety checklists into short videos for patient rooms, funded by the UTMB President's Cabinet, and talks about testing whether the videos lower fall rates. Watch utmb.us/gdv
Meredith Masel, PhD, MSW, smiles while looking off to the side, wearing glasses and a green blouse. A navy circle beside her reads "Turning Patient Safety Checklists into Videos." A banner below reads "The Health Services Researcher, Emerging Implementation Scientist, Academic Strategist," followed by her name, credentials, the title "Assistant Professor," and the UTMB Population Health and Health Disparities logo.
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UTMB Sealy Center on Aging & NIA Pepper Center @utmbscoa.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
ICYMI 💌 The Community Connection Newsletter: Summer 2026 edition is here! Get the latest in research news & events for older adults from the Sealy Center on Aging mailchi.mp/0c85a14d062b...
copy of cover of printed newsletter with text. Read the latest COMMUNITY CONNECTION NEWSLETTER utmb.edu/scoa/community
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Monique R. Pappadis, PhD, MEd, FACRM, is the inaugural holder of UTMB’s Edgar Gnitzinger Distinguished Professorship in Aging. She plans to use the five-year endowment to support future aging scholars and expand community-engaged aging research. Explore the full story at utmb.us/ge7
Dr. Monique Pappadis smiles in a light blazer beside the orange UTMB shield, with a navy and orange graphic band across the lower background.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Get to Know Us continues with Meredith Masel, PhD. She shares what interviews with patients and care partners are revealing in her audio-recording studies, including a surprising number of older adults with multiple chronic conditions managing their care independently. Watch utmb.us/gdu
Meredith Masel, PhD, talks with Brent E. Masel, MD, in a studio space with a video camera light and purple interview stool visible.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Leadership is built long before the difficult decisions arrive. This week’s Open Gates session welcomed Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson for a conversation on building healthy, sustainable teams. Faculty, and staff, explored how shared purpose, trust, and intentional leadership create stronger teams.
Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson speaks to faculty, staff, and learners gathered around round tables during the Open Gates leadership session. Participants listen and take notes in an elegant meeting room as a presentation on building team capacity is displayed on a screen, highlighting a collaborative discussion on sustainable leadership and preventing burnout.Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson poses with leaders from the Department of Population Health and Health Disparities and the School of Public and Population Health following the Open Gates leadership session. Standing in front of a presentation titled "Building Team Capacity," the group smiles while forming a diamond shape with their hands, symbolizing collaboration, shared purpose, and a commitment to building healthy, sustainable teams.
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Dr. Soham Al Snih’s new five-year professorship recognizes nearly three decades of aging research and mentorship. She plans to use much of its support to help students attend scientific meetings and publish their work. Read the story at utmb.us/gae
Dr. Soham Al Snih stands beneath flowering trees outdoors, wearing a dark blazer and looking toward the camera.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
The details of a medical visit can be hard to remember once a patient gets home. Dr. Meredith Masel shares how the Oliver Center tests audio recordings and other patient-centered programs, gathers feedback, fixes problems and builds on what works. Watch: utmb.us/g76
Dr. Meredith Masel, wearing glasses and a green blouse, appears beside the headline “Testing audio recordings as a tool for patient care.” Text identifies her as Meredith Masel, PhD, MSW, Assistant Professor, and “The Health Services Researcher · Emerging Implementation Scientist · Academic Strategist.” The UTMB Population Health and Health Disparities logo appears below.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
How can patient-centered programs work for patients and fit into busy clinics? Dr. Meredith Masel explains how the Oliver Center tests ideas on a small scale, gathers feedback and fixes problems before expanding them. Watch utmb.us/g76
Dr. Meredith Masel smiles while seated during a filmed interview, wearing a green blouse and looking toward an off-camera interviewer.
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Many of Dr. Soham Al Snih's former trainees now publish as her co-authors. Over two decades at UTMB she's mentored fellows, doctoral and medical students, and international scholars. She's this year's Excellence in Mentoring Award winner. www.utmb.edu/spph/about-u...
Dr. Soham Al Snih smiles in a professional portrait against a white background with the UTMB School of Public and Population Health logo above. Text reads Dr. Soham Al Snih, 2026 Faculty Awards, Excellence in Mentoring Award, with the word Mentoring in large orange outlined letters below her photo and a faint numeral 26 in the background.
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Dr. Kyriakos Markides built the Hispanic EPESE study and founded the Journal of Aging and Health. Cyprus elected him to its national academy last fall. He's this year's Lifetime Achievement in Research winner. www.utmb.edu/spph/about-u...
Dr. Kyriakos S. Markides appears in a portrait photo on a dark navy background beside the UTMB School of Public and Population Health logo. Text reads 2026 Faculty Awards, the word Lifetime in large white outlined letters, his name, and Lifetime Achievement in Research Award, with a faint numeral 2026 in the background.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
How does a growing department know it is moving in the right direction? Dr. Meredith Masel shares how faculty input and lessons from peer population health leaders help PHHD assess its priorities and prepare for growth. Watch utmb.us/g3p
Dr. Meredith Masel smiles and looks toward an off-camera interviewer while wearing glasses and a green blouse against a plain gray background.
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
The new issue of UTMB Magazine is here! A PhD student connects moderate leisure-time activity to lower stroke odds, a master's student helps track flu that jumps between animals and people, and a professor's new book revisits 19th-century medical history. Read it at www.utmb.edu/magazine
Three open spreads from UTMB Magazine arranged on a tan background. The top spread, titled Monstrous Conception, shows a dark-haired woman seated at a table surrounded by antique books. The middle spread, titled Bitten by the Science Bug, shows a researcher in a teal gown and blue gloves using a pipette in a lab, next to a close-up photo of a grasshopper. The bottom spread, titled Lean Into Leisure, with the line "Researcher's rehabilitation experience informs stroke prevention study," shows a person walking on an outdoor track and another seated on exercise equipment.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Get to Know Us begins a new faculty feature with Meredith Masel, PhD, whose work centers patient safety, communication, and self-management. In this video, she shares what newer population health departments can learn from established peers. Watch utmb.us/g0x
Dr. Meredith Masel, left, smiles while seated across from Dr. Mandy Hill during a filmed interview, with a video camera visible in the foreground.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Good public health work starts with listening. Our faculty focus on practical approaches that fit daily life, support behavior change, and reflect what people use, need, and value. Explore PHHD research: www.utmb.edu/spph/departm...
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Dr. Cara Pennel has been named the 2026 F. Marian Bishop Educator Award recipient by the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research, recognizing her work building prevention education programs and integrating population health into medical training. Congratulations, Dr. Pennel!
UTMB School of Public and Population Health graphic featuring Dr. Cara Pennel and announcing she received the F. Marion Bishop Educator Award from the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR). Text reads: “Awarded to Dr. Cara Pennel, Associate Dean for Academic & Student Affairs, Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Health Disparities.”
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
What would you say to students considering public health? In this Get to Know Us video, Monique R. Pappadis, PhD, encourages students to listen to community needs and think about how public health training can help them improve health locally and beyond. Watch: utmb.us/exr
Monique R. Pappadis sits on the left in a clinic office and shakes hands with a seated woman holding printed materials. A computer monitor and office supplies are visible behind them.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Closing out PHHD's week of announcements. Congratulations to Dr. Monique Pappadis, named Assistant Dean for Community-Based Research at the School of Public and Population Health!
Congratulations graphic for Dr. Monique Pappadis, named Assistant Dean for Community-Based Research at the School of Public and Population Health. Features her headshot against an orange arch background with confetti.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
More to share from PHHD this week. Congratulations to Dr. Dana Wiltz-Beckham, named Assistant Dean for Student Advancement at the School of Public and Population Health!
Congratulations graphic for Dr. Dana Wiltz-Beckham, named Assistant Dean for Student Advancement at the School of Public and Population Health. Features her headshot against an orange arch background with confetti.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Continuing PHHD's week of announcements. Congratulations to Dr. John Prochaska, named Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Development at the School of Public and Population Health!
Congratulations graphic for Dr. John Prochaska, named Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Development at the School of Public and Population Health. Features his headshot against an orange arch background with confetti.
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UTMB Sealy Center on Aging & NIA Pepper Center @utmbscoa.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
▶️ You can catch up on recent presentations sponsored by The Sealy Center on Aging and associated programs by visiting our website homepage and navigating to the Recent Lecture Videos heading under News and Events. 🔗 www.utmb.edu/scoa
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
First of four announcements from PHHD this week. Congratulations to Dr. Cara Pennel, named Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at the School of Public and Population Health!
Congratulations graphic for Dr. Cara Pennel, named Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at the School of Public and Population Health. Features her headshot against an orange arch background with confetti.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
How does the department collaborate? In this video, Monique Pappadis, MEd, PhD, talks about how overlapping research interests in UTMB’s Department of Population Health and Health Disparities create opportunities for collaboration within the department and with partners beyond. Watch: utmb.us/exq
Promotional graphic featuring Monique R. Pappadis against a blue background with the question, “How does the department collaborate?” Text at the bottom reads: “Rehabilitation Outcomes Scientist | Aging Care Disparities Researcher | Practice-Focused Educator,” “Monique R. Pappadis, PhD, MEd, FACRM,” and “Associate Professor,” alongside the UTMB Population Health and Health Disparities logo.
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
UTMB's Department of Population Health and Health Disparities just awarded its first pilot grant — $15K to Dr. Michael Goodman for a study on whether Galveston County residents would trust and use AI-enabled community health tools. utmb.us/fkq
Dr. Sallam, Dr. Hill, Dr. Goodman, and Dr. Serag stand together in front of a glass-walled conference room as Dr. Hill presents the inaugural PHHD Pilot Award to Dr. Goodman. Dr. Goodman holds the clear award at center while the group smiles for the camera.
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Losing 4 to 7 percent of body weight can cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by half. This CBS News segment featuring Dr. Hanaa Sallam focuses on practical prevention steps, including simple walks, healthier food choices, and more daily movement. www.cbs19.tv/video/news/l...
cbs19.tv
Diabetes Alert Day highlights prevention and lifestyle changes
A CDC-backed program helps people with prediabetes cut their risk by up to 71% through small diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
More than 1 in 8 Americans have diabetes, and many don't know it. Tomorrow for Diabetes Alert Day, CBS News features UTMB's Dr. Hanaa Sallam on the CDC-accredited Diabetes Prevention Program she directs — the first in Greater Houston to earn full CDC recognition. Look out for the segment tomorrow!
Karen Hua with CBS News stands behind a camera with Dr. Sallam in front of it answering interview questions. Behind Dr. Sallam is an open classroom with folding chairs arranged on top of yoga mats.Dr. Sallam and Karen Hua posing for a photo in front of a handmade sign that reads “Grow Your Mind”.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
New Get to Know Us video: Monique Pappadis, MEd, PhD, on how early work in rehab and trauma care led her to brain injury research, and how an institutional collaboration with Dr. Leila Wood launched her elder mistreatment work. Watch the video: utmb.us/exp
Seated next to a computer, Monique Pappadis (left) in conversation with person (right)
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
A new Get to Know Us video features Dr. Monique Pappadis discussing a project to develop a brief elder mistreatment screening tool for primary care. The work combines Medicare claims with perspectives from providers, caregivers, and people living with cognitive impairment. Watch: utmb.us/exo
A graphic showing Dr. Pappadis from her vlog interview along with the title of the video "Developing a screening tool for elder mistreatment"
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
New publication with Dr. Kyriakos Markides, PhD: Using 2017–2021 American Community Survey data, Vietnamese-origin older adults had the highest disability prevalence among major Asian-origin subgroups studied. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Final reminder: Abstracts for the UTMB Public Health Symposium (Apr 8, 2026) close Mon, Mar 2, 2026 at 5 p.m. CT. Research and community/practice submissions welcome (300 words). Submit: utmb.us/ezs Guidelines: utmb.us/f97 Questions: austaylo@utmb.edu
A stylized graphic of the Public Health Symposium logo
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Get to Know Us begins a new faculty feature with Dr. Monique R. Pappadis. In this first video, she introduces her roles at UTMB, including Vice Chair in PHHD, work with the Sealy Center on Aging, and service with the Institute for Translational Sciences. Watch: utmb.us/exm
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
New from the Federation of American Scientists, UTMB SPPH PhD student Alex Holland breaks down how disasters affect health long after the event through sustained physical/mental impacts, disrupted care delivery, and housing instability.
fas.org
Long-term effects of disasters: an ongoing threat to public health
Hurricanes cause around 24 deaths per storm – but the longer-term consequences kill thousands more. With extreme weather events becoming ever-more common, there is a national and moral imperative to r...
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Hear from inaugural chair Dr. Mandy Hill on UTMB’s Department of Population Health and Health Disparities and our focus on improving the health of populations through multidisciplinary research and education. Visit the department page to learn more utmb.us/exs
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Tomorrow (Jan. 14, 12–1 p.m.) webinar hosted through UTMB’s HSS course series, open to all. HIV Routine Screening as a Standard Care featuring Isabel Clark, MA, RD. www.zoomgov.com/webinar/regi... Learn more about the HSS course utmb.us/ezl
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UTMB Health @utmbhealth.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
For more than 130 years, UTMB has educated, discovered, and cared for generations of Texans and beyond. Today, a new day begins with a new logo, a new tagline, and the same unwavering purpose. We are UTMB. Where purpose meets passion. #WeAreUTMB #WherePurposeMeetsPassion
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
APHA update: Yesterday, MD/MPH student Shilpa Rajagopal presented work with Texas DSHS Region 6/5 South on barriers in congenital syphilis care. Texas CS cases rose 148% since 2017. Central Middle School student Laila Serag presented on backpack weight and student health.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Our faculty video series continues with part 2 featuring Dr. Brian Downer. He explains UTMB’s Rehabilitation Sciences PhD (now Rehabilitation and Health Services Research), the small-cohort experience shared with Population Health Sciences, and a social epi perspective. Watch: utmb.us/epz
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
UTMB’s Kyriakos Markides, PhD, is elected an External Member of the Cyprus Academy in Sociology. A career advancing immigrant and minority aging, the H-EPESE cohort, and the Texas RCMAR now joins a select fellowship of scholars in Cyprus. Read more: utmb.us/ems
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Meet Dr. Brian Downer, Associate Professor at UTMB PHHD. He studies cognition, dementia, and healthcare use in older adults and directs two PhD programs in Population Health and Rehabilitation & Health Services Research. Watch the full video: utmb.us/ehz
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Proud of our very own Dr. Monique Pappadis, Ph.D., for helping lead the new Joint Messaging Statement on Communicating about Brain Injury.
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UTMB School of Public & Population Health @utmbspph.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Dr. Michael Goodman presented The Architecture of Flourishing, outlining the Flourishing Community Model in Kenya and Texas. Community-led steps that build connection, resilience, and well-being. utmb.us/eld utmb.us/dvj
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UTMB Sealy Center on Aging & NIA Pepper Center @utmbscoa.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
✍️ Dr. Markides is a contributor to this article in honor of International Day of Older Persons on October 1. ❓How has an older adult made a difference in your life? Share your story in the comments below.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
🌍 On #InternationalDayOfOlderPersons, we highlight work from our own Dr. Kyriakos Markides: Health and Aging among Immigrants in Western Societies (Daily27), exploring the unique health challenges faced by older immigrant communities. Read here: utmb.us/ek1
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Applause for Dr. Meredith Masel, voted Best Professor in The Daily News Readers’ Choice 2025. Galveston readers recognized a teacher whose courses strengthen communication, care, and collaboration. SPPH is proud to learn with her!
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UTMB Sealy Center on Aging & NIA Pepper Center @utmbscoa.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
UTMB Community: Submit your abstract to the Forum on Aging by October 3!
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
UTMB SPPH joins partners at the Texas Public Health Summit today in Houston. The program looks to 2050 with focus on technology, transmission, and trust, aligned with TEPHI pillars that strengthen early detection, a reserve workforce, training, and public communication across Texas.
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UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities @utmb-phhd.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
Impact needs range and collaboration. Monica’s path shows how research, policy literacy, and patient-facing work reinforce each other. utmb.us/eid
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