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Department of Health Sciences Chair and Professor George Kudolo retires after 37 years at health science center

 

In true teacher fashion, renowned researcher and professor George Kudolo, PhD, CPC, FAIC, FADLM, came prepared with his own slideshow for his retirement luncheon in August. 

“I knew this day way coming and the dean would want me to say a few words, so I have them on a slide,” he said, setting the tone of lighthearted laughter that continued throughout his remarks. 

Professor Emeritus George B. Kudolo delivers a presentation during his retirement celebration in August.

MLS students receive white coats — and inspiration — at ceremony

 

Members of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Class of 2026 received their white coats on Sept. 19 in a ceremony celebrating a significant milestone in their education journey: the transition to the clinical phase of the program.

Members of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Class of 2026 stand in their white coats after their white coat ceremony.

In memoriam: Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus Shirlyn B. McKenzie

Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus Shirlyn B. McKenzie, PhD, MLSCM, who led the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences for more than two decades, died on Aug. 29. She was 82.

Distinguished Teacher Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus Shirlyn B. McKenzie

School of Health Professions faculty present at annual TSAHP conference

Three School of Health Professions faculty members presented on topics related to the education of the next generation of health professionals during the 2025 Texas Society for Advancement of Health Professions (TSAHP) Conference in September.

“TSAHP is a great organization dedicated to promoting allied health professionals in the areas of research, education and clinical practice,” said Kodosky, who is in the second year of a two-year term as vice president of TSAHP. “It is an honor to be able to serve on the board and with wonderful people.”

Senior Associate Dean David Henzi, EdD, FASAHP, and Venessa Kodosky, PhD, MEd, director of academic assessment and compliance

Graduates in the first MS in Imaging Sciences cohort accept jobs at Duke University Hospital to work as MRI technologists

Two graduates in the first class of the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program will be moving to North Carolina in September to work at Duke University Hospital.

Andrew Arce and James Plata have accepted jobs as full-time Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologists and are participating in a specialized training program through medical technology company Siemens Healthineers. 

MS in Imaging Sciences graduate Andrew Arce (left) and James Plata

School of Health Professions programs promote wellness during 2025 Spurs x Frost Back to School Bash

Most of the people walking past the Department of Respiratory Care’s pig lung demonstration at the Spurs x Frost Back to School Bash had one of two reactions — fascination or revulsion.


Professor creates board game to help people find their niche in the laboratory

Keeping a laboratory running smoothly takes a team with an array of strengths, but not everyone contemplating a career as a medical laboratory scientist recognizes how to determine which roles fit them best. 

Division of Medical Laboratory Sciences Assistant Professor/Clinical Brittany Teeter, MS, CLS, MLS(ASCP)CM, has taken the challenge of highlighting the variety of roles in a laboratory and turned it into a game.

Lab Escape Teeter

Health professions careers in spotlight during visit by high school STEM teachers

 

Twenty high school science, engineering, technology and math teachers spent a recent summer morning learning about medical imaging, respiratory care and speech-language pathology from School of Health Professions faculty and students.

Respiratory care students demonstrate intubation to high school science teachers visiting UT Health San Antonio.

PT and medical students serve at health clinics in Dominican Republic with Project Hispaniola

 

Students and faculty in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program traveled to sugar cane plantations in Dominican Republic this summer to provide services to hundreds of people as part of the Project Hispaniola program.

Physical therapy students and faculty on the first day of clinic in Dominican Republic in June 2025.

Hooding ceremonies mark scholar-to-professional transition for graduates in four programs

 

Four School of Health Professions programs held hooding and awards ceremonies for their graduates in May, adding another tradition to the memory-rich commencement season.

Here are a few takeaways from the ceremonies.

 

Doctor of Physical Therapy 

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program held its first hooding ceremony in 2024, making the May 16 event the second in the program’s history.


Communication Sciences and Disorders professor wins Award of Honors at Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association annual convention

 

Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education Angela Kennedy, SLPD, CCC-SLP, received the Award of Honors at the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association annual convention, which was held in San Antonio in May.

The Award of Honors is awarded to speech-language pathologists and audiologists who have been members of TSHA for at least 10 years, while contributing significantly to TSHA and demonstrating outstanding leadership and professional excellence. 


Occupational therapy and PA programs celebrate white coat ceremonies

 

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Master of Physician Assistant Studies programs held white coat ceremonies in May to highlight their students’ transition to the clinical phase of their respective programs.

The OTD Class of 2026 gathered on May 9 for their white coat and recognition ceremony, which featured awards and recognitions of leadership, research and scholarship in addition to the traditional donning of the white coats.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2027 students stand during their white coat ceremony on May 12, 2025.

MS in Imaging Sciences program achieves three-year programmatic accreditation in radiologic technology, celebrates inaugural graduating class

 

The Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program received programmatic accreditation in radiologic technology from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) in April.

The accreditation award is for a period of three years — the maximum length for an initial accreditation, said Jamie Tucker, EdD, RT (R)(CT)(ARRT), assistant professor and MS in Imaging Sciences program director.

The students in the first cohort of the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program stand in their graduation robes awaiting their hooding ceremony.

OT faculty present at American Occupational Therapy Association annual conference

Department of Occupational Therapy faculty presented at the AOTA INSPIRE | 2025 Annual Conference and Expo held April 3–5 in Philadelphia.

Assistant Professor Mei-Ling Lin, PhD, OTR, co-presented “Exploring the Global Pandemic of COVID-19 on the Transition to OT Graduate Programs” with Roland Martinez, OTR, a recent graduate of the OTD program.

Assistant Professor Mei-Ling Lin, PhD, OTR, stands with a poster displaying her research at the American Occupational Therapy Association annual conference.

Medical Laboratory Sciences program faculty and students win multiple awards at state conference

 

Medical Laboratory Sciences Assistant Professor Tiffany R. Wafford, MTSM, MLS (ASCP)CMSBBCM, began her two-year term as president of the Texas Association of Clinical Laboratory Science at the organization’s annual meeting on April 11.

Wafford also received the TACLS Member of the Year Award.

Assistant Professor Tiffany R. Wafford, Division of Medical Laboratory Sciences

Physical therapy class of 2026 marks transition to clinical phase of program with white coat ceremony

 

During their white coat ceremony symbolizing the transition from the classroom to the clinical phase of their program, students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2026 received one more lesson from their keynote speaker.

Assistant Professor Selina Morgan, PT, DPT, NCS, shared her practice of choosing one word to focus on each year. This year, she told the students, her word is “gratitude.” She encouraged the students to focus on what their patients need — and to be grateful for their guidance. 

Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2026 gathers after their white coat ceremony

Respiratory care alum credits program with helping him achieve his dream of becoming a physician

 

For Martin Valdes, MD, RRT, the path to become a physician would take him to a heart failure intensive care unit as a respiratory therapist and through a hurricane.

Martin Valdes, MD, RRT

A second career brings a season of firsts for Master of Science in Imaging Sciences student

 

After 15 years working in the environmental consulting field, Laura Baird was ready for a change. 

“I worked with endangered species, wetland survey and bird surveys — with a lot of alone time and hiking, which I love,” she said. 

Master of Science in Imaging Sciences student Laura Baird poses on campus.

PT faculty present at American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting

 

Department of Physical Therapy faculty presented research and led educational sessions at the 2025 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting.

Held Feb. 13–15, APTA-CSM drew thousands of attendees to Houston. At the conference, Assistant Professor Anjali Sivaramakrishan, PT, PhD, was awarded the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Balance and Falls Special Interest Group Research Award.

Physical Therapy faculty pose at the 2025 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting.

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