Deans (UTRGV School of Medicine)

Monica Jean Alaniz-McGinnis, PhD
Assistant Dean for Assessment, Evaluation and Quality Improvement
Education and Academic Affairs
EMEBL 3.163
Email: Monica.Alaniz@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-296-1706

Dr. Mónica Jean Alaniz-McGinnis is the Assistant Dean for Evaluation, Assessment, & Quality Improvement at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.

Before her tenure as assistant dean, she served as the School of Medicine’s Evaluation and Assessment Manager and as a Qualitative Researcher in the Office of Research and Analytical Services at South Texas College. She graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio’s College of Education and Human Development with a PhD in Culture, Literacy & Language with her research focused on the post-secondary success of migrant farmworker students in the Rio Grande Valley. While at UTSA, she was chosen as a fellow by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the Hispanic Leadership Program in Agriculture and Natural Resources, which allowed her to continue her research on migrant farmworker education. Dr. Alaniz-McGinnis has served on several statewide and local boards and committees, including the Texas Higher Education Board’s Mexican-American Studies Field of Study Advisory Committee. Due to her expertise in the field of evaluation and assessment, Dr. Alaniz-McGinnis continues to serve as an adjunct professor and guest speaker in the field of educational research and evaluation. In her current role as assistant dean, she is responsible for the collection and analysis of data on undergraduate medical education courses as well as other programs throughout the School of Medicine in order to assure continued development and growth of the institution.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Guides faculty and administration in interpreting student assessment/evaluation results and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement of curricula, instruction, and assessment methods.
Develops and directs programs in support of UTRGV’s education mission and goals.
Works with the Quality Director for Graduate Medical Education to establish quality programs in medical student education.
Collaborates with other faculty to conduct educational research and develop scholarly publications.
Designs research projects in assessment, evaluation and quality related to educational mission and analysis results with appropriate statistical techniques.

Stephanie Atkins Sharpe, MSLIS
Associate Dean, School of Medicine Library
School of Medicine Library
Email: Stephanie.Atkinssharpe@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1599

Stephanie Atkins Sharpe is the Associate Dean of the School of Medicine Library. She previously served as the Access Services Librarian at the UTRGV School of Medicine Library from 2016 to 2021. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience working in academic libraries. She has worked at Ball State University (Indiana), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Washington University in St. Louis prior to joining UTRGV. Stephanie earned her undergraduate degree at Southwestern University (Texas) and her Master of Science in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Stephanie is a member of the Medical Library Association and the South-Central Chapter of the Medical Library Association.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Creates and communicates a share division for library and information services and resources that are aligned with the vision, mission and goals of the School of Medicine, UT Health RGV and the Division of Health Affairs in alignment with the University Library. Seeks input and assistance from key constituency groups in order to identify priorities, implement plans, and evaluate services.
Assures the delivery of high-quality resources and tools that align with the education, research, clinical and service missions of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine, Division of Health Affairs and UT Health RGV.
Establishes fiscal, resource and programmatic priorities for the assigned library locations, including developing the Libraries’ budget, oversees expenditures, and accounts, ensuring the financial expenditures are compliant with University requirements and the overarching library priorities.
Serves as a senior manager within the University Library system to create the overall vision for UTRGV libraries, guide the process of setting priorities, and develop strategies for achieving them.
Recruits, leads, motivates, and develops staff in a way that fosters engagement and high performance. Creates and communicates clear performance measures, accountability and continuing education to develop staff. Promotes diversity within the Libraries in the School of Medicine, Division of Health Affairs, and UTRGV.

Mercy Azeke, EdD
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Student Affairs
Email: Mercy.Azeke@utrgv.edu

Mercy Azeke is a graduate of Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, where she received her M.Ed. (1980) in Curriculum Instruction, and Ed. D. (1985) in Vocational Education. She also successfully completed two leadership fellowships:

American Association of Higher Education Black Caucus Leadership and Mentoring Institute, Savannah State University, Savannah, GA; (2005)

Presidential Institute for Administrative Leadership Development, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA; (2003-2004)

Prior to joining UTRGV School of Medicine, Dr. Azeke was the Assistant Vice Provost for Student Success at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ. Prior to that, she was the Dean of Center for Student Success (CSS) and Academic Advising. She also worked at Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Virginia Tech), Norfolk State University, Virginia and Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois.

Dr. Azeke has over 30 years of work experience in higher education. Her areas of expertise include - but are not limited to - student development, student retention and success, university-wide academic advising, and academic, career, and personal support services to students.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Provides leadership and strategic support for all student affairs matters, including career advising, learning environment, student mistreatment, student academic advising, Match Day, Graduation, and White Coat ceremonies.

Assists with planning and coordinating orientation programs for incoming students.

Serves as an advocate for students’ concerns and needs with faculty and administration.

Facilitates access to counseling resources for personal and academic concerns.

Serves as professionalism officer of student affairs, including developing activities to promote the growth of professionalism in students.

Kelsey Baker, PhD
Assistant Dean for Pre-Clerkships
Education & Academic Affairs
Email: Kelsey.Baker@utrgv.edu

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Overseeing the daily operations of the pre-clinical curriculum, which includes liaising closely with administrative staff, faculty, and leadership.

Overseeing module development, integration, review, and revisions in the pre-clinical curriculum.

Serving on committees related to the pre-clerkship curriculum Assisting with the design, delivery, and management of the pre-clerkship curriculum.

In collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs, monitoring and addressing academic or disciplinary problems arising with the second-year medical students.

Chelsea Chang, MD
Assistant Dean/Assistant Designated Institutional Official, Graduate Medical Education
Graduate Medical Education
Email: Chelsea.Chang@utrgv.edu

Dr. Chelsea Hook Chang is the Assistant Dean and Assistant Designated Institutional Official for Graduate Medical Education at the UTRGV School of Medicine.

Dr. Chang is a proud Rio Grande Valley native who has returned to serve her community. In 2012, she completed medical school at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. She later completed her Internal Medicine Residency in 2015 and was awarded Intern of the Year at Baylor Scott & White in Temple, Texas, where she trained. In 2015, Dr. Chang achieved board certification and began working as a primary care physician and a clinical assistant professor in Temple, Texas.

Dr. Chang has been employed by the UTRGV School of Medicine as Assistant Professor and Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency. Her special interests include population health, preventive care, and training the next generation of physicians.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Works with the program directors and hospital leadership to foster a diverse and inclusive community of graduate medical education (GME) faculty, staff, residents, and fellows of the highest quality.

Oversees the development of new GME programs and fellowships in coordination with the SOM and partner hospital finance teams.

Collects, displays, and analyzes data as well as drives continuous process improvement on program and institutional quality indicators, including Annual Program Evaluations, Annual Institutional Review, ACGME Faculty and Resident Survey data, CLER visit reports, Site visit reports, Graduate Performance data, Faculty Development data, and Program Director development.

Represents the School of Medicine in all external matters pertaining to Graduate Medical Education as assigned by the Associate Dean for GME/DIO.

Serves as Vice-Chair of the Graduate Medical Education Committee and supports its organizational structure and strategic planning.

Angela R. Cook, PhD, MNHP, RN, OCN, CCRP
Interim Senior Associate Dean, Research
Research
Email: Angela.Cook@utrgv.edu

Dr. Angela R. Cook joined the UTRGV School of Medicine in 2021 as the Associate Vice President for Clinical and Translational Research.

Dr. Cook earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Northern Iowa, her Master's in Nursing and Healthcare Practice at the University of Iowa, and her Doctorate in Nursing and Healthcare Practice at The University of Texas at Austin.

Before joining UTRGV, Dr. Cook served as executive director of research at The University of Kansas Health System, director of shared research services for the UT System, and director for clinical research at the UT Medical Branch in Galveston.

Dr. Cook utilizes her years of experience to help guide strategic efforts for clinical and translational research. Her work improves studies in areas such as neuroscience, cancer, and diabetes.

Dr. Cook works with faculty and the community through a clinical trials program that translates knowledge gained from the laboratory into new diagnostic tests and treatments for improving patient outcomes in the Rio Grande Valley - and beyond.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Promotes and facilitates success in the research mission of the School of Medicine.

• Establishes the School of Medicine’s research programs and ensures that the faculty,
staff, and students engaged in research are committed to the highest standards of
ethics, integrity, and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies for
sponsored projects and research.

• Provides strategic planning and vision necessary to advance excellence in research
and research learning and oversees development of building and capital maintenance
of research resources.

• Leads efforts for mission integration across the School of Medicine and throughout the University.

• Works with Institutional Advancement, faculty, and staff of the School of Medicine to
develop extramural funding opportunities to support research and academic
programs.

Michael Dobbs, MD, MHCM
Vice Dean, Clinical Affairs
Department of Neurology
Email: Michael.Dobbs@utrgv.edu

Michael R. Dobbs, MD, MHCM, is the Chief Medical Officer, Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs, Professor and Chair of Neurology at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He holds advanced degrees from the University of Kentucky and Harvard. He served with distinction in the US Air Force Medical Corps including an academic appointment at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. He has authored more than 50 publications including books, book chapters, journal articles, and abstracts. His book Clinical Neurotoxicology—Syndromes, Substances, Environments is a leading text in the field worldwide. He moved to UTRGV from the University of Kentucky in 2019 where he had most recently served as Associate Dean with responsibility for initiatives such as successful establishment of regional four-year medical school campuses. As program director he had led his hospital to become one of the busiest stroke centers in the United States while also building a 34 hospital Stroke Network that continues to grow and bring life-saving treatments to underserved regions in Appalachia.

As Neurology Chair, he is building a department that provides advanced clinical care, education, and research at the new Institute of Neuroscience located in Harlingen, TX. Dr. Dobbs teaches the Mind, Brain, and Behavior module for pre-clinical MS2s and it has been the highest rated module by the students for the last 3 years. He has been an institutional principal investigator on multiple clinical trials and has published original research in stroke outcomes and other topics. In early 2022, Dr. Dobbs was awarded an NIH Research Enhancement Award (R15) grant which will bring national recognition to the UTRGV School of Medicine, expose students to new research opportunities, and strengthen the overall research environment of the institution. In his spare time, he loves to explore the Rio Grande Valley with his family.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Provides leadership and strategic direction for all UTHealthRGV-sponsored patient-care programs and activities in concert with UTRGV SOM leadership.

Responsible for providing leadership and management of the school’s clinical activities.

Seeks the alignment of clinical mission with research and education mission.

Collaborates to design and develop efficient, cost-effective models of high-quality care delivery in an integrated healthcare system that is patient-centric and fiscally sound.

Actively involved in the planning of clinical programs and establishing faculty projections to ensure departmental growth plans align with that of the school and The Practice Plan.

Sambandam Elango, MD, FACS, M MED Ed
Associate Dean of Educational Affairs
Email: Sambandam.Elango@utrgv.edu

Dr. Sambandam Elango is the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs (UME) at UTRGV School of Medicine. Dr. Elango has over three decades of experience in UME and GME. Prior to joining UTRGV, Dr. Elango has worked in two medical schools in California, contributing to the development of an innovative curriculum and in the preparation for the provisional LCME accreditation.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Oversees the daily operations of the Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) curriculum liaising closely with Assistant Deans of Clerkship and Pre-Clerkship, administrative staff, faculty, and leadership to ensure timely and cohesive delivery of the curriculum.
Assists in the design, delivery, and management of the UME curriculum in alignment with LCME standards.
Works closely with faculty and curriculum leadership team to create, implement, and assess curricular innovations.
Oversees all aspects related to the evaluation of the curriculum including student, faculty, and resident evaluations.
Oversees clerkship and pre-clerkship module development and review.
Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Office of Educational Affairs

Stanley Fisch, MD
Associate Dean, Student Affairs
Student Affairs
Email: Stanley.Fisch@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1410

Dr. Stanley Fisch is the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. He oversees the operations of programs that support medical student academic progress, including student academic support, student advising, the learning environment, career development, and wellness initiatives. Dr. Fisch is also responsible for programs associated with the admissions, enrollment and recruitment of medical students. He formerly chaired the curriculum committee of the school of medicine.

Dr. Fisch has been practicing pediatric medicine in the Rio Valley for more than 40 years. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Job Lewis Smith Award for Leadership in Community Pediatrics from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Leads student affairs programs in accordance with school policies, governmental regulations and institutional accreditation requirements to ensure that programs align with the goals and objectives of the UTRGV School of Medicine and its medical education program.
Oversees the staff and budget of student affairs to implement programs that promote medical student academic progress, to include student counseling, career advising, mentoring, professionalism and student wellness.
Works collaboratively with medical students, faculty, staff and senior leadership to foster a positive learning environment.
Assists with development of policies and procedures and maintains a current student handbook and website for the student affairs programs.
Oversees medical student events and provides support for student government/student organizations.

Jeremy Gibson, MD
Vice Dean, Education
Email: Jeremy.Gibson@utrgv.edu

Dr. Jeremy Gibson is the current Vice Dean for Education Affairs at the UTRGV SOM. In this leadership role, Dr. Gibson oversees the School of Medicine’s medical education program, student affairs, graduate medical education and continuing medical education programs, and is leading our accreditation efforts. He is an academic pediatric hospitalist with extensive experience at all levels of medical education. During his accomplished career, Dr. Gibson has held many academic titles, including pediatric clerkship director, pediatric residency director, Vice-Chair of Education in Pediatrics, Associate Regional Campus Dean, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Prior to coming to UTRGV, Dr. Gibson was at Texas A&M University College of Medicine where he had oversight over UME, GME, and CME curriculum and all regional campus and site deans reported to him. Notable accomplishments while serving in this role included LCME approval of the Engineering Medicine Track, full LCME accreditation, and curriculum continuity through the COVID-19 pandemic. As a clinician, he is a multi-award-winning teacher and respected by his colleagues as an expert diagnostician and critical thinker. He has a passion for helping the struggling learner particularly around standard test taking. Dr. Gibson is a graduate of University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston and completed his residency and chief residency at Scott & White Memorial Hospital.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Advises and supports the Dean by providing leadership, coordination, accountability, and oversight over the academic programs of the School of Medicine (SOM) including undergraduate medical education (UME), graduate medical education (GME), and continuing medical education (CME).
Leads, organizes, and coordinates the process for accreditation of the School of Medicine including the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
Develops and applies measures of educational quality and quality improvement related to each academic program in line with progressive best practices across top tier medical schools and academic medical centers.
Leads in the development of innovative, future-oriented educational programs; meeting accreditation standards; and forging effective inter-and intra-professional partnerships with faculty and staff to fulfill the SOM academic mission.

Nausheen Jamal, MD
Associate Dean/Designated Institutional Official, Graduate Medical Education
Graduate Medical Education
Email: Nausheen.Jamal@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1426

Dr. Nausheen Jamal is the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Designated Institutional Official. Dr. Jamal comes to UTRGV from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine where she has served as Associate Professor of Otolaryngology and Director of the residency program. She received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed her residency training in Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals in New York. Dr. Jamal specializes in voice, swallowing and airway disorders and completed her fellowship in Laryngology at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in California.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Works with the program directors and hospital leadership to foster a diverse and inclusive community of Graduate Medical Education (GME) faculty, staff, residents, and fellows of the highest quality.

Strategically plans new fellowship and residency programs, supports continuous quality improvement, and develops and implements all GME curricular and programmatic innovations and initiatives.

Represents the UTRGV SOM as its Designated Institutional Official (DIO) in all external matters pertaining to Graduate Medical Education.

Assures compliance with ACGME requirements for continued institutional accreditation including resident and fellow well-being; works with SOM and University leadership and resources to promote wellness among GME learners

Leads the Graduate Medical Education Committee and directs its organizational structure and strategic planning.

Karina Madrigal, Ed.D., M.A.
Assistant Dean, Interprofessional Education
Interprofessional Education
Email: Karina.Madrigal@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1430

Dr. Karina Madrigal is the Assistant Dean for Interprofessional Education at the UTRGV School of Medicine. She holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M Kingsville, a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of Texas-Pan American, as well as Texas State Certifications as a Principal and Secondary Teacher. As a New Leaders Council (NLC) Fellow, she developed the Medical Educator Certificate (MEC) program that aims to enhance the professional development of clinicians, basic scientists, and community faculty as medical educators. Dr. Madrigal believes that improving faculty teaching skills result in enhanced student learning and, in turn, more competent physicians that will better meet patient health care needs while transforming the quality of health care in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. She has developed a holistic understanding of education and communication from her international fieldwork and study abroad in India, Cambodia, and Western Europe. Her teaching and research interests focus on pedagogy, competency-based education, curriculum and assessment development, instructional communication, peer-to-peer teaching observations, and interprofessional education.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Creates, develops, directs, and coordinates interprofessional educational activities and programs in collaboration with the deans and leadership of all health profession programs within Health Affairs.

Implements the UTRGV School of Medicine’s strategic goals for interprofessional education and develops collaborative initiatives to realize this vision across Health Affairs.

Leads interprofessional educational programs for the School of Medicine.

Chairs the interprofessional curriculum subcommittee in the School of Medicine.

Plans initiatives to develop faculty in interprofessional education.

Betty L. Monfort, MPH
Senior Assistant Dean, Admissions and Recruitment
Admissions, Recruitment and Student Services
Email: Betty.Monfort@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1600

Betty Monfort, MPH, joined the UTRGV School of Medicine Office of Student Affairs in August 2015 as the Senior Assistant Dean for Admissions and Enrollment Management. Her educational background includes a Master of Public Health from Columbia University in New York City, a BS in Community and Health Education from William Paterson University in New Jersey, and a Certificate in Enrollment Management in Higher Education from the University of Miami in Florida. Aside from her education, Monfort’ s career in medical education spans over 25 years; she brings with her a wealth of experience in start-up medical schools, including Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Florida International University College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine and UTRGV School of Medicine. Included in her broad range of expertise are marketing, recruitment, admissions, student records and enrollment practices. She also served as the Chair of the Admissions Committee, serves a member of the Harlingen ISD Advisory Board, the Dean’s Advisory Board of the Texas Medical and Dental Student Application Service (TMDSAS), serves on the Deans Advisory Board for the JAMP program, and has held several executive positions within the AAMC Group on Student Affairs, Southern Region. Presently, Monfort is responsible for overseeing all admissions, recruitment and student services functions for the School of Medicine.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Oversees Texas Medical and Dental Student Application Services (TMDSAS) for UTRGV SOM.
Oversees all functions for application data, admissions review processes, communications and official correspondence for applicants and matriculating students.
Oversees and reviews any updates/revisions for SOM admissions database – ZAP/AMP.
Serves as the UTRGV SOM representative on the TMDSAS Deans and Directors Advisory Board.
Serves as the institutional administrator for the Joint Admissions Medicine Program (JAMP).

Maria de Jesus Munoz, MD
Assistant Dean of Clerkships
Email: MariadeJesus.Munoz@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1900

Maria de Jesus Munoz, M.D, is the Dean of Clerkships and an Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.

She previously served as the Assistant Program Director at the UTRGV/DHR Family Medicine Residency and was the Family Medicine Clerkship Director. Dr. Munoz completed her medical training at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She completed a Family Medicine Residency Training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. In addition, she has practiced in many community settings and served underserved populations.

Before joining the UTRGV Department of Family and Community Medicine in 2019, she was employed by the State of Texas and provided primary care services in the outpatient setting. Prior to this, Dr. Munoz was a private practice physician in San Benito, TX. She was also an active participant in the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dept. of Family & Community Medicine Regional Academic Health Center as the Regional Site Clerkship Director for Family Medicine Clerkship in Harlingen, TX.

Dr. Munoz is currently completing her Masters in Academic Medicine and is interested in
curriculum development.

Robert Nelson, MD, MS, FAAP
Senior Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs, Interim Assistant Dean for Clerkships
Faculty Affairs
Email: Robert.Nelson@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1430

Dr. Robert Nelson serves as Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Interim Vice Dean for Educational Affairs, Interim Assistant Dean for Clerkships, and chair of Pediatrics. Dr. Nelson earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Washington, and a Master of Science in administrative medicine from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

He has worked in graduate medical education for more than 30 years, most recently at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, where he served as associate vice president of Child Health, USF Health, and as professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and professor of Community and Family Health.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Oversees the daily management of the Office of Faculty Affairs, SOM.
Works with University and School of Medicine Leadership in meeting the rules and requirements as outlined by the UT System Board of Regents; UTRGV Handbook of Policies, UTRGV Division of Health and the UTRGV School of Medicine.
Works with Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs (Health) on faculty issues to ensure appropriate standardization.
Works with UTRGV Human Resources and SOM Human Resources as appropriate.
Develops and monitors the budget and resources for the Office of Faculty Affairs, SOM.

Michael Patriarca, MBA
Executive Vice Dean, School of Medicine, Vice President, UT Health RGV
Email: Michael.Patriarca@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1995

Mr. Michael Patriarca, MBA is the Sr. Associate Vice President, Division of Health Affairs and Executive Vice Dean, School of Medicine at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). At UTRGV, he leads the Finance and Administrative functions for the Division of Health Affairs and the School of Medicine. He is also the Executive Director for UT Health RGV, the clinical practice plan of the UTRGV School of Medicine.

Prior to joining UTRGV, Mr. Patriarca spent time at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where, since early 2015, had served as the Director of Finance in the Office of the Dean for the School of Medicine & Provost. In this role, he was responsible for the funds flow, budget, and capital budget for the School of Medicine. Prior to joining UT Southwestern, Mr. Patriarca spent 8 years at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, where he held various leadership roles across the finance, operations, practice plan, resource allocation and planning functions within the Office of the Provost/Dean of the School of Medicine.

Mr. Patriarca earned his undergraduate Finance degree from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University and holds an MBA from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. He is currently working towards a Master’s of Science in Business Analytics, scheduled to be completed in 2021.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Serves as the chief operations officer for the UTRGV School of Medicine and represents the dean on administrative, business, and financial matters with affiliate hospitals and organizations.

Leads the financial and administrative functions of the School of Medicine by providing strategic direction and goal setting for operational executives in areas such as finance, human resources, information services, planning, facilities, and operations.

Serves as a member of senior leadership groups for all major decisions affecting the School of Medicine. Provides information and counsel to the executive leadership team on fiscal and administrative matters related to institution-wide planning, policies, and procedures.

Negotiates and builds alliances and contracts with healthcare affiliates and government agencies on a local, national, and international level to solidify and maintain connections with strategic partners.

Represents the School of Medicine at a number of high-level committees related to strategic interests, institutional governance, and affiliate hospital and research partners.

John Ronnau, PhD
Senior Associate Dean, Community Health Partnerships
Community Health Partnerships
Email: John.Ronnau@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-6438

Dr. John Ronnau is the Senior Associate Dean for Community Health Partnerships. In this role, he is the Director of the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program, which includes primary health care clinics and other services in three Counties. He is also involved in various other community partnerships on behalf of the School of Medicine. He has held academic appointments as a faculty member and administrator for 30 years. His administrative roles have included Graduate Program Coordinator, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Director of a Research Institute and Department Chair, and Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services. He served at The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College for seven years as Dean of Graduate Studies and Sponsored Programs and Vice-President for Administration and Partnership Affairs. He has also worked as a clinical Social Worker and an elementary school teacher.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Leads the school’s efforts to implement the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program in support of the school’s goals and objectives for community engagement.
Provides support for advancing the community health partnership priorities identified in the school’s strategic plan.
Coordinates closely with the University’s Office of the Vice President for Governmental and Community Relations.
Adheres to federal funding agency guidelines pertaining to acknowledgment and disclaimer on all products produced by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) award funds for the AHEC program.
Develops and implements applicable contractual agreements, which must include a statement of work, designation of roles and responsibilities, and appropriate financing provisions between the AHEC Program and the governing body of each center located in the community or other relevant party.

Beatriz Tapia, MD, EdD, MPH
Assistant Dean, Faculty Development, Interim Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Development
Faculty Development
Email: Beatriz.Tapia@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1481

Beatriz Tapia, M.D., Ed.D., M.P.H, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and the Assistant Dean of Faculty Development at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Harlingen, Texas. Dr. Tapia is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She attended the Autonomous University of Puebla in Mexico, where she received her M.D., and the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University (JHSPH), in Baltimore, Maryland, where she received her Master’s in Public Health. In addition to her M.P.H., Dr. Tapia trained in occupational health and environmental medicine, health disparities and health inequality at the JHSPH. Dr. Tapia is also a recent graduate of a Doctor of Education in Professional Leadership with an Emphasis in Health Science Education from the University of Houston.

Since her appointment as assistant dean in 2015, Dr. Tapia has led the planning of over 120 faculty development series and workshops for UME and GME. Dr. Tapia is also a founding member for the Texas Consortium for Faculty Success (TCFS) established in 2016. The TCFS is a professional community of faculty and administrative leaders responsible for faculty affairs and faculty development in Texas' academic health institutions.

Dr. Tapia is a strong advocate for the medically underserved; she continuously provides environmental and public health education to promotoras (lay healthcare workers), public health professionals and community centers. Her research interests are border health, environmental medicine, public health, minority health, faculty development and medical education research.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Provides faculty development by promoting best practices for teaching and learning using learning-centered strategies and innovative education technologies in the context of medical education within higher education.
Identifies assessment strategies and instruments to improve learning outcomes and increase medical education research and scholarship at the individual, department and programmatic level.
Maintains ongoing dialogue with School of Medicine leadership regarding department-specific faculty developmental needs in regard to wellness, mentoring, assessment and evaluation, and learning environments that foster faculty success.
Works closely with UTRGV Office of Faculty Affairs and Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Enrichment to ensure coordinated efforts in faculty development.
Develops, coordinates and presents skill-building seminars and workshops, organizes departmental mentorship and leadership programs and promotes professional development courses.

Adela Valdez, MD, MBA
Associate Dean, Special Programs
Special Programs
Email: Adela.Valdez@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1471

Dr. Adela Valdez serves as the Associate Dean for Special Programs. In her role, she is responsible for creating the infrastructure for continuing medical education and diversity pipeline programs. She has a deep knowledge of these issues and has extensive national relationships that she brings to this position. Dr. Valdez previously served as Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and she currently serves as clinical professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine.

She earned a B.S. in biology from the University of Houston, an M.D. from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and did her residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s (UTHSCSA) family practice program in McAllen.

She received her MBA from the Ken Blanchard MBA program at Grand Canyon University and Health Care Policy fellowship from NYU/NHMA.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Maintain ACCME accreditation with commendation, establishing new and updated policies, procedures and practices as needed to maintain such.
Direct the overall educational program for the CME office and maintain the office’s vision and strategic plan.
With the involvement of CME staff and each department’s CME champion, conduct needs assessments and gap analyses, apply principles of adult education to CME design, and develop educational outcomes measurement tools and processes to assist University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine in delivering the best quality of care to patients.
Develop in-service training for CME staff, physicians, and key CME planners throughout UTRGV to improve CME planning and documentation processes.
Collaborate with the Office of Faculty Affairs in faculty development activities that lead to planning and delivery of CME.

Leonel Vela, MD, MPH
Senior Associate Dean, Educational Resources
Educational Resources
Email: Leonel.Vela@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1411

Dr. Leonel Vela is the Associate Vice President for Education-Division of Health Affairs, Senior Associate Dean for Educational Resources and holds a faculty appointment of Professor with Tenure in the Department of Family Medicine at the UT Rio Grande Valley-School of Medicine. He was Founding Dean of the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC), a campus of the University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio (UTHSCSA), where he also held the appointment of Professor with Tenure in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. In this capacity, Dr. Vela directed the medical education and biomedical research components of the RAHC. As its first Regional Dean, he provided leadership in the development and establishment of the RAHC campuses during their formative years. Dr. Vela was previously at Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) where he was Vice President for Rural and Community Health, first holder of the Marie Hall Endowed Chair in Rural Health, Medical Director of Telemedicine/Telehealth and Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Vela received undergraduate degrees from Stanford University and medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed post-graduate studies at Harvard where he received a Master of Public Health Degree and was a Kellogg Fellow in Health Policy and Management. He completed post-graduate training in Preventive Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine. His publications, professional presentations and committees have included medical education, tuberculosis, diabetes, migrant health, border health and telemedicine. He previously chaired the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health for the U.S. Secretary of Health and received the Plate of Bounty Award by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Migrant Head Start Branch. Dr. Vela was honored by Texas Tech University Health Science Center as recipient of the Rural Health Visionary Award and was a UTRGV School of Medicine inaugural member of the UT System Kenneth I. Shine M.D. Academy of Health Science Education.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Oversee library resources.

Represent UTRGV SOM on special projects and events related to promoting the educational resources of SOM to prospective students.
Assure compliance with LCME requirements for institutional accreditation regarding student resources; work with SOM and university leadership to promote student resources for all learners.
Support the needs of clinical skills and simulation hospital resources and develop plans for effective use of these resources; work collaboratively to develop an optimal learning environment for trainees.
Collaborate with Student Affairs and Student Government Association leadership on mechanisms to ensure adequacy of library and other student resources.

Muriel Warren, MBA
Assistant Dean, Accreditation
Accreditation, Effectiveness, & Quality Enhancement
Email: Muriel.Warren@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1704

Muriel Warren, MBA, joined the UTRGV School of Medicine in February 2021 as the Assistant Dean for Accreditation. Her educational background includes a Master of Business Administration from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communication from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. Aside from her education, Warren’s career in higher education spans over 19 years. Prior to joining the UTRGV School of Medicine, Warren served as director of accreditation for Mercer University School of Medicine. In 2015, she joined Samford University’s Office of Institutional Research and Assessment as accreditation compliance manager and served as associate director of institutional assessment and compliance.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Responsible for keeping abreast of SOM evolving accreditation standards, overseeing the preparation and timely submission of requirements of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and processes for monitoring compliance with accreditation standards and documenting continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Advises SOM leadership on matters related to LCME, program evaluations, and reviews.
Oversees and manages all LCME site visits.
Oversees the LCME accreditation process for SOM in collaboration with the assigned supervisor.
Develops short and long-range plans, conceptual designs, budget requirements and documentation for assigned area.

Deans

Monica Jean Alaniz-McGinnis, PhD

Stephanie Atkins Sharpe, MSLIS

Mercy Azeke, EdD

Kelsey Baker, PhD

Chelsea Chang, MD

Angela R. Cook, PhD, MNHP, RN, OCN, CCRP

Michael Dobbs, MD, MHCM

Sambandam Elango, MD, FACS, M MED Ed

Stanley Fisch, MD

Jeremy Gibson, MD

Nausheen Jamal, MD

Karina Madrigal, Ed.D., M.A.

Betty L. Monfort, MPH

Maria de Jesus Munoz, MD

Robert Nelson, MD, MS, FAAP

Michael Patriarca, MBA

John Ronnau, PhD

Beatriz Tapia, MD, EdD, MPH

Adela Valdez, MD, MBA

Leonel Vela, MD, MPH

Muriel Warren, MBA

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