News and Events
Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program 2018
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This fellowship is available to any student interested in pursuing a career in a transportation-related field whether on the engineering and computer science side or the policy side or the business and logistics aspect of things. To apply, students must submit the following documents (all compiled in one PDF document) and in the order presented below: |
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As stated above, this material should be compiled in one PDF document in the exact order listed above and emailed to railwaysafety@utrgv.edu by 5:00 pm on August 14, 2018. Late submissions will not be considered. |
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For more information contact the University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS):
Website: Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS)
Email: railwaysafety@utrgv.edu
Office: EPOB4 1.100
Phone: 956-665-8878
2017-2018 Creating Healthy Eating Choices for Kids (CHECK) Plus! Program
| With the end of the 2017-2018 school year, came the close of the Aetna Foundation funded CHECK (Creating Healthy Eating Choices for Kids) Plus! program. The UTRGV COHA Border Health Office in partnership with the School of Nursing and the Donna ISD implemented an 18-month program aimed at empowering 4th grade students and their families to make healthy lifestyle choices. CHECK provided nutrition lessons to the students and helped these students construct above-ground gardens at each of 14 elementary campuses. Upon completion of the nutrition education and raising of the above ground gardens, the CHECK Plus! program proceeded with the establishment of Nutrition Creation Stations. |  |
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Through the Aetna Foundation grant money, commercial blenders and salad carts were used to make healthy fruit and vegetable smoothies. The Nutrition Creation Stations allowed students to create and make their own smoothies using fresh fruits and vegetables, and in some cases, fruits and vegetables from their very own gardens. On-site facilitators and teachers included an education piece to introduce the students to making healthy smoothies. Students were also encouraged students to make smoothies at home for all the family to share and always with the consent of a parent and proper supervision at home. As students tried different combinations, the most popular smoothie included kale and banana smoothie using either flavored (usually pineapple) or non-flavored drinkable yogurt. |
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CHECK Plus! project directors Doreen Garza and David Salazar attended several of the smoothie-making activities and noticed that the young students enjoyed looking at the smoothie ingredients, the freshly sliced bananas and the green kale. Students seemed intrigued and enthused by the idea of mixing all the ingredients into a drink. Many of the students were surprised that something with kale in it could taste good. |
| With the end of the school year came the end-of-the project community garden fruit and vegetable celebrations. Each of the 14 campuses distributed over 1,100 fruit and vegetable bags to parents and the surrounding communities. |  |
Rio Grande Valley Childhood Obesity Seminar
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On May 18th over 45 Rio Grande Valley school nurse nurses and school nurse administrators participated in a half-day seminar focusing on childhood obesity and the multivariate factors that influence obesity/overweight prevalence in children and adolescents. Obesity in children and adolescents carries serious health and social consequences and has continued to be a concerning and costly epidemic for families, communities, schools, and health care providers. During the past 30 years, obesity rates doubled for adults and preschool children, while tripling among school-age children and adolescents. |
| Dr. Otto Velasquez, Board Certified Pediatrician and Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UTRGV and UTHSCSA spoke to the school nurses about the health consequences of overweight in children and the importance of early detection and early intervention. |  |
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Dr. Dora Zamora-Flores, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics UTHSCSA School of Medicine shared information about the G.O.A.L. (Get rid of Overweight with Appropriate Life choices) program. G.O.A.L. is a community-based program which includes a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals that work with children and adolescents and their families in helping them improve their lifestyles for better health. |
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UTRGV/UT Austin Cooperative Pharmacy Student Association Monte Alto ISD Food Drive Accepting Donations from April 9 - April 24, 2018 The Cooperative Pharmacy Student Association will be extending their canned food drive to May 4, 2018. Bring non-perishable food items to EREBL 1.100 For more information: |
Creating Healthy Eating Choices for Kids (CHECK) 2018
| On March 22, 2018, John F. Kennedy Elementary 4th grade students and their teachers hosted a Creating Healthy Eating Choices for Kids (CHECK) fruit and vegetable celebration to commemorate their participation in The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Border Health Office CHECK program funded by the Raul Tijerina Jr. Foundation. All parents and students were invited to view the new above ground garden at the campus. |  |
| Over 100 bags filled with fruits and vegetables were distributed to local households. In addition, parents and students were able to visit booths to learn about nutrition, dental hygiene, and emergency services. Parents and students also enjoyed quality time reading books published by the Arte Público Press, The Patchwork Garden “Pedacitos de Huerto” and Adelita and the Veggie Cousins “Adelita y las Primas Verduritas”. Each 4th grade student received a complimentary copy of each book to take home. | |
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Creating Healthy Eating Choices for Kids (CHECK) is a health promotion program developed by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) College of Health Affairs (COHA) Border Health Office (BHO) and UTRGV COHA School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program. |
| The CHECK program focuses on healthy nutrition for school-age children and their parents from communities in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of South Texas. The CHECK program delivers nutrition education lessons and engages graduate nursing students in facilitation of USDA’s “Serving Up MyPlate: A Yummy Curriculum”. | |
| The program also helps participating schools raise above ground fruit and vegetable gardens to extend the students’ connection to the sources of their food and further empower them to incorporate healthy food choices into their lifestyles. Providing nutrition education for both students and families is an essential component in children and adolescent health promotion. |  |
UTRGV - Challenge of the Deans
Thursday, Feb. 22nd at 7pm
Dr. Michael Lehker, Dean of the College of Health Affairs participated in the Half Time Free-throw contest with the other UTRGV Deans as CoHA Faculty, Staff and Students cheer him on.
Creating Healthy Eating Choices for Kids (CHECK)
A $15,000 grant was awarded to the Border Health Office from the Raul Tijerina Foundation. The grant will be used to implement the CHECK program.
About the program:
The CHECK program will help approximately 100 4th grade students from J.F.Kennedy Elementary school in the Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District raise above ground fruit and vegetable gardens and provide nutrition education. Both these activities will allow students’ to connect to the sources of their food and further empower them to incorporate healthy food choices into their lifestyles. Students will learn the importance of eating a balanced diet comprised of foods from the five (5) food groups. The “Serving Up MyPlate: A Yummy Curriculum” lessons will be facilitated by MSN FNP nursing students throughout the Spring 2018 semester. The planting of an above-ground fruit and vegetable garden on school grounds will provide the foundation for continuous reinforcement for healthy food choices.
Profiles in Excellence
College of Health Affairs students return from the ANNUAL BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE FOR MINORITY STUDENTS (ABRCMS) with 1st Place Winners.
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Fifteen students from the CoHA and the CoHA RISE Program attended the “ANNUAL BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE FOR MINORITY STUDENTS (ABRCMS)”, Nov 1 to 4, 2017 in Phoenix Arizona. |
In Remembrance of Joseph Richard Lacher 1942 - 2017
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Joe Lacher was a great man. He was an exceptional nurse. He was a pioneer here in the Rio Grande Valley having worked tirelessly in the private sector for many years in various roles as human resources manager, chief nurse executive, supervisor, and staff nurse before going into academia. |
Health and Human Performance and Occupational Therapy Students Tour the Center for the Intrepid
Rio Grande Valley – October 30, 2017 - On Thursday, October 26, 2017, 49 students (29 Exercise Science Students and 19 Occupational Therapy students), toured the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Under the advisement of Dr. Juan Gonzalez (Associate Professor in Health and Human Performance) these students took part in an eye-opening experience at one of the country’s premier medical facilities.
College of Health Affairs Students Take Home Winning Posters at (SACNAS) 2017
Rio Grande Valley, TX – October 26, 2017 - College of Health Affairs at SACNAS 2017
Students from the College of Health Affairs attended the national scientific conference SACNAS 2017, October 19 -21 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Society for the Advancement of Chicano and Native American Science is the largest National Diversity in STEM Conference. Fifteen students from the College of Health Affairs were accompanied by the Dean of the College, Dr. Michael Lehker and CoHA RISE program Staff, Ms. Bianca Farrell, Ms. Noemi Hernandez, Ms. Magali Ayala and Ms. Ednia Gutierrez to the conference and experienced three days of cutting-edge science, professional development, training and mentoring. Ten students presented their research at the conference. Four student posters placed first in the student competition.
UTRGV nursing professor named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
UTRGV nursing professor Dr. Nelda C. Martinez, RN, Ph.D., has been named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – OCT. 3, 2017 – Dr. Nelda C. Martinez, RN, Ph.D., clinical professor in the UTRGV School of Nursing, College of Health Affairs, will be inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing during the organization's 2017 Transforming Health, Driving Policy Conference, Oct. 5-7 in Washington, D.C.
Surprise Speaker Cody Calchado the World’s Strongest Disabled Man 2015!
UTRGV Women's Basketball Assistant Coaches Kaylena Andersen and Yannick Denson along with special guest Cody Calchado who was the World’s Strongest Disabled Man in 2015 and runner in 2016 with Health and Human Performance majors in Danessa Peterson’s Biomechanics class.
DEL CASTILLO in Brownsville to raise funds for College of Health Affairs Scholarships - September 23
An evening with DEL CASTILLO will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at the TSC Arts Center in Brownsville. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with entertainment in the lobby, a cash bar, and an opportunity to view and buy goods from local artists. A signed guitar from the band will be raffled.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Jose A. & Lois M. del Castillo Memorial Endowed Scholarship at UTRGV. Established in 2017, the scholarship supports students in the College of Health Affairs School of Nursing, pursuing a nursing degree or are in the Cooperative Pharmacy Program at UTRGV. In addition, a portion of the proceeds will also be donated to provide relief from the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey.
UTRGV nursing professor Tamez accepts Legacy Award from national organization
UTRGV nursing professor Eloisa G. Taméz, RN, Ph.D., FAAN, is the 2017 recipient of the Latino Legacy Award from the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. Here, she accepts the award during the 42nd annual NAHN Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. (Courtesy photo)
Alumnus of the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley PA ProgramNationally recognized.
Johns Creek, GA, March 21, 2017 – Juliana Abreu, PA-C, a certified physician assistant who graduated in 2012 from the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley PA Program, was recently awarded a specialty credential called a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Read the full press release here.
UTRGV Athletics Set for Challenge of the Deans on Thursday
UTRGV Athletics will host the sixth annual Challenge of the Deans on Thursday at 7 p.m. when UTRGV men's basketball faces Seattle U at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.(UTRGV Fieldhouse-Google Maps)
Deans from different colleges across campus, along with students from their colleges, will battle it out at halftime in a free throw shooting competition. Additionally, the college with the highest student attendance will be declared most spirited. Winning colleges will receive a trophy.
UTRGV Athletics would like to show its appreciation for all current UTRGV faculty and staff by offering free admission and free popcorn with a valid UTRGV employee ID.
Come and support our own Dean of College of Health Affairs, Michael Lehker!!!
Exciting news!! Our own Dr. Veronica Umeasiegbu and Ms. Kim Finn have been recognized by the National Council on Rehabilitation Education.
These are very prestigious awards by our main professional organization - they will be honored at our national conference in April! The National Council on Rehabilitation Education Spring 2017 Conference
Dr. Veronica Umeasiegbu has been selected as New Career in Rehabilitation Education Award. This is a prestigious award in Rehab. To be eligible you must be within the first five years of your academic career. Self-nominations are not accepted and you have to have letters from professors outside your geographic area.
Ms. Kim Finn who has been selected as NCRE doctoral student of the year!
We are all proud off you Veronica & Kim!
The National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) is the premier professional organization of educators dedicated to quality services for persons with disabilities through education and research. NCRE advocates up-to-date education and training and the maintenance of professional standards in the field of rehabilitation
Congratulations Fall 2016 Graduates!
UTRGV Fall 2016 commencement ceremonies kick off in Brownsville - BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – DEC. 16, 2016 – About 470 of 604 graduates from the Brownsville Campus walked the stage at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Fall 2016 Commencement ceremony on Friday evening. In addition to the graduates, hundreds of family and friends gathered for the 6 p.m. ceremony on the Student Union lawn to cheer on the graduates as they crossed the stage to accept their diplomas. Read the full article here.
Watch the Recorded live stream of the Brownsville Campus 2016 Fall Commencement Ceremony here
Watch more videos of the other UTRGV Fall 2016 Commencement Ceremonies visit their Facebook page.
More photos of the College of Health Affairs to come....
ROTC cadet Ilse Aranda receives commission as second lieutenant in U.S Army Reserves
EDINBURG, TEXAS – DEC. 16, 2016 – UTRGV graduating senior Ilse Aranda received her gold bars as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves, during the U.S. Army ROTC Fall Commissioning Ceremony, held Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in the UTRGV Library Auditorium on the Edinburg Campus. (UTRGV Photo by Silver Salas)
The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. has named Shirley A. Wells as one of the 100 Influential People in Occupational Therapy.
Shirley A. Wells, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA, has been a tireless advocate for cultural inclusion and diversity in occupational therapy for the past 37 years. She has advocated for diversity through her ground-breaking books on culture and occupational therapy...
UTRGV Master of Physician Assistant Studies program gets expansion approval
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – OCT. 11, 2016 – The UTRGV Department of Physician Assistant Studies, in the College of Health Affairs, has received approval from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education to enlarge its physician assistant master’s program over the next three years. Frank Ambriz (at right), chair of the department, said the MPAS degree paves the way for a high-demand career for students like Benito Lopez (at left), who is on track to graduate with the MPAS in December. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)
UTRGV Physician Assistant students urged to pay it forward, during White Coat Ceremony
AUG. 19, 2016 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s 52 new Physician Assistant Studies students were selected from among hundreds of top candidates, and on Friday, university officials challenged them to use what they learn to serve their communities.
The UTRGV Department of Physician Assistant Studies (PA) had its White Coat Ceremony Aug. 19 at the Engineering Building’s main auditorium on the Edinburg Campus. Faculty members cloaked each student, as family and other loved ones cheered and snapped photos.
PHOTO GALLERY: https://www.flickr.com/gp/utrgvnews/Vs3M9C
Two nursing websites rank UTRGV nursing program among best in nation
AUG. 17, 2016 - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s School of Nursing has been named among the best in the country in two national rankings, published by websites that serve as resources for prospective and current nursing students.
UTRGV was ranked 27th out of 50 top nursing schools in the Southwest by Nursing Schools Almanac, and 30th out of 50 top residential Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs in the country by Top RN to BSN.com
UTRGV’s Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program selected as Examples of Excelencia finalist
AUG. 10, 2016 – Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit organization focused on the success of Latino students, has announced the selection of the UTRGV Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS) Program as one of 20 finalists for its national Examples of Excelencia awards.
UTRGV holds two ribbon cutting ceremonies for primary care clinics
July 8, 2016 - UTRGV Associate Professor of Nursing Dr. María I. Díaz (third from left), Texas Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. (District 27) and Texas Sen. Juan Hinojosa (District 20), cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the UTRGV Community Primary Care Clinic in McAllen, in partnership with Hidalgo County. A second clinic is located in Harlingen, with a ribbon cutting July 8 at that location. The clinics are made possible by a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)
PHOTO GALLERIES
McAllen ceremony: https://www.flickr.com/gp/utrgvnews/F89U9G
Harlingen ceremony: https://www.flickr.com/gp/utrgvnews/rkt71c