UTHealth Houston

Some of the most meaningful student journeys begin well before the first day of class.

When Robert Hart, MD ’85, arrived at the Henry Strobel Retreat, the first person he met was second-year medical student Susan Nelson, MD ’84. At the time, neither could have known that they would one day marry—or that the connections and experiences they shared through McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston would continue to shape their lives decades later.

Through the Susan E. Nelson, MD, and Robert I. Hart, MD, Medical School Scholarship, they are helping students pursue their dreams in medicine with greater financial freedom.

As the Strobel Retreat marks its 50th anniversary, their story celebrates the intersection of community and generosity that creates lasting impact for generations to come.

Read more: go.uth.edu/NelsonHartStory

A warm welcome to the newest members of our community! The UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry Family and Friends Network Welcome Reception brought incoming students and their loved ones together to connect, celebrate, and build community as they begin their journey.

Read more at Go.uth.edu/SODFFN2026.

Alexander Almaguer’s passion for storytelling began long before his award-winning short story, “Cypress Junction,” earned LitMag’s Virginia Woolf Award for Short Fiction. Inspired by his upbringing in South Texas, his family, and a lifelong love of literature, Alexander has developed a writing style rooted in reflection, curiosity, and personal experience.

As a university editorial assistant at UTHealth Houston, Alexander enhances the stories of the university and occasionally contributes his own. Whether he’s journaling, writing fiction, or finding inspiration on Houston’s trails, he continues to explore themes of family, philosophy, technology, and the human experience while pursuing his craft.

Read more about Alexander’s journey and what inspires his award-winning writing at go.uth.edu/AAlmaguer.

Inspired to write: Alexander Almaguer Our People Inspired to write: Alexander Almaguer By Cierra Duncan July 23, 2026 Photo by UTHealth Houston Long before his short story “Cypress Junction” earned LitMag’s Virginia Woolf Award for Short Fiction, Alexander Almaguer was drawn to the written word. Growing up in McAllen, Texas, he fo...

A mentor's encouragement changed the course of the career of Faiyaz Bhojani, MD, DrPH ’99. Today, he and his wife, Maribel Mariam Bhojani, DNP, RN, are helping create those same life-changing opportunities for future public health leaders.

Inspired by the faculty and mentors who shaped their journeys, the Bhojanis established the Drs. Faiyaz Ali and Mariam Maribel Bhojani Visiting Scholars Endowment Lecture Series at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. Their gift brings nationally and internationally recognized experts to campus, creating opportunities for students and faculty to exchange ideas, build connections, and gain fresh perspectives.

"Giving back what has been given to us is a wonderful way of doing things," Maribel says. "We are grateful, and it is truly a humbling experience to be able to share what we have received."

Their story is a reminder that philanthropy doesn't just support education—it helps foster the mentorship, curiosity, and collaboration that prepare the next generation of public health leaders.

Learn more: go.uth.edu/BhojanisStory

McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston officially welcomed the graduating class of 2030 for orientation week beginning July 27. Students gathered for a group photo on the lawn of the Jesse Jones Library before participating in a welcome lecture and scavenger hunt.

A routine dental appointment changed 13-year-old Geordon Boulware's life when his dentist discovered a rare jaw tumor.

James Melville, DDS, professor in the Bernard and Gloria Pepper Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, led an innovative treatment that used Geordon's own stem cells to regrow his jawbone, helping him avoid a more invasive surgery and return to the cattle shows he loves.

Discover how one conversation before surgery led to a groundbreaking treatment and a remarkable recovery: go.uth.edu/GBoulwar

Photos provided by the Boulware family.

Congratulations to Kevin Schulz, MD, on his appointment as the city of Houston’s new EMS physician director.

A nationally recognized leader in emergency medical services, Schulz has spent more than a decade serving Houston as assistant medical director for the Houston Fire Department while educating the next generation of healthcare professionals at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston. Discover how his experience responding to major disasters and events, from Hurricane Harvey to the FIFA World Cup, has prepared him for this new leadership role: go.uth.edu/KSchulz

What if the next breakthrough in oral cancer treatment begins with an idea that philanthropy made possible?

For Simon Young, DDS, MD ’11, PhD, the mission is deeply personal. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, he has cared for patients whose lives were forever changed not only by oral cancer, but also by the lasting effects of treatment. Today, his research is exploring innovative approaches—from biomaterials-based immunotherapy to regenerative medicine—that could help patients survive cancer while preserving their ability to eat, speak, and smile.

The path from a bold idea to a lifesaving treatment can be a complex journey. Early-stage discoveries often require proof before they can qualify for major federal funding, making philanthropic investment a critical first step.

"There is no shortage of promising solutions for head and neck cancer; the main bottleneck is funding," Young says. "Every philanthropic dollar helps us turn discoveries into treatments, translating research from the bench to the bedside so patients can not only survive cancer, but also regain function, confidence, and quality of life."

Learn how philanthropy is helping advance the next generation of oral cancer research and the lives it has the potential to change at go.uth.edu/SimonYoungStory.

One of Italy’s highest civilian honors recognizing exceptional service and achievement has been awarded to Fabio Triolo, DdR, PhD, MPhil, professor in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.

Triolo received the Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in recognition of his decades of leadership in biomedical research, regenerative medicine, and cell therapy. From helping establish pioneering cell therapy infrastructure in Southern Italy to advancing groundbreaking innovations at UTHealth Houston, his work continues to shape the future of medicine and improve patient care around the world.

Learn more about this prestigious recognition: go.uth.edu/TrioloHonor

Italy names Triolo a Knight of the Order of Merit Italy names Triolo a Knight of the Order of Merit By Roman Petrowski June 17, 2026 Fabio Triolo, DdR, PhD, MPhil, (right), receives the Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic insignia and certificate of honor from the Consul General of Italy One of Italy’s highest civilian honors rec...