UT Southwestern Medical Center

UTSW endocrinologists find paralysis disorder may be underdiagnosed among Hispanic men

UT Southwestern endocrinologists examine how a rare neurological condition may be an underrecognized cause of paralysis in young Hispanic men. Learn how these findings may help raise awareness among clinicians and effectively treat this condition.

UTSW endocrinologists find paralysis disorder may be underdiagnosed among Hispanic men Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP), a rare neurological condition causing limbs to go limp, may be an underrecognized cause of paralysis in young Hispanic men, a review of data by UT Southwestern endocrinologists shows.

Reaching educational milestones

Last week, more than 200 medical students graduated, reaching a new educational milestone. 35 of those students were awarded top honors for exhibiting potential in their specialties or a commitment to and community service. Congratulations! https://bit.ly/3MlDNL3

Reaching educational milestones 2023 Student Awards

Male, female knee cartilage disparities may explain differences in rates of degeneration

Researchers have long known there are s*x disparities in the prevalence and severity of knee osteoarthritis, which causes cartilage degeneration. Orthopaedic surgery expert Paula Hernandez, Ph.D., explains how understanding men's and women's disparities could help improve orthopedic care.

Male, female knee cartilage disparities may explain differences in rates of degeneration Researchers have long known there are s*x disparities when it comes to the prevalence and severity of knee osteoarthritis, a disease that causes cartilage degeneration.

AOA Honor Medical Society welcomes 47 new members - CT Plus - UT Southwestern

The community has compelling learners, faculty, and residents who go above and beyond to advance science and medicine. We are happy to recognize them for their hard work and dedication.

Join us in congratulating the 47 new members inducted into the Chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (AOA).

They were selected based on high academic standing, leadership among peers, professionalism, a firm sense of ethics, promise of future success in medicine, and a commitment to serve in the school and community.

Discover more about the latest inductees.

AOA Honor Medical Society welcomes 47 new members - CT Plus - UT Southwestern Forty-seven new members were inducted recently into the UT Southwestern Medical Center chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (AOA).

Is It Safe to Get Mental Health Medication From an App?

American Psychiatric Association says more adults are now choosing telehealth over in-person visits. But can virtual mental health care provide all the services that in-person care can? UT Southwestern telehealth expert and psychiatrist Kenneth Dekleva, M.D., guides patients on factors when deciding to get medication through apps.

Is It Safe to Get Mental Health Medication From an App? If you’re considering virtual mental health care through an app, experts recommend you take certain precautions before signing up.

Understanding the Safety of Kratom: A Comprehensive Guide

Kratom is a natural plant extract used worldwide for coping with pain and other potential benefits. Sidarth Wakhlu, M.D., substance abuse expert at UT Southwestern, explains whether kratom is safe for consumption and why it’s vital to understand its side effects.

Understanding the Safety of Kratom: A Comprehensive Guide Learn about the natural plant extract kratom and its potential benefits, as well as the current scientific understanding of its safety for consumption.

Carnaval de Salud health fair reunites Dallas community - CT Plus - UT Southwestern

After halting activities in 2019 due to COVID-19, the 18th annual health fair returned even stronger, with more than 500 volunteers and several attendees.

Held at Thomas J. Rusk Middle School in Dallas, kids made fake snow, created candy “cells,” and sutured bananas while parents participated in free health screenings with the assistance of students from ’s Medical School, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and School of Health Professions.

Visit https://bit.ly/42co2fg to discover more about Carnaval de Salud and how the event creates a comfortable atmosphere for discussing health issues.

Carnaval de Salud health fair reunites Dallas community - CT Plus - UT Southwestern Students from UT Southwestern’s Medical School, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and School of Health Professions planned and coordinated UT Southwestern’s 18th annual Carnaval de Salud on April 22, 2023.

is a time to celebrate the individuals who are committed to providing high-quality patient care every day. Thank you for all that you do. Join us in thanking some of 's best.

1. Daisy Varghese B.S.N., RN, joined as a health unit coordinator and after graduating nursing school in 2006, she became a nurse at Clements University Hospital. She serves on several committees/groups and worked as an Assistant Nurse Manager from 2013 to 2018.

2. Marilynn Bordelon, RN, has been a longtime nurse, serving our patients for 46 years. Currently, she works in Health System Patient Safety as a Patient Safety Coordinator.

3. Shivappa Maranabasari, M.S.N., RN, has been a nurse for 20 years and is proud to work at an institution where innovation, research, and patient care are at the forefront. Working in the Pulmonary/Telemetry department, he continues to be awed by his colleagues and feels fortunate to be a part of nursing excellence.

4. Mariam Ruiz, RN, has been at since 2018. She currently works in the Ambulatory float pool where she enjoys being a patient advocate.

5. Julie Earnest M.B.A., B.S.N., RN, has been a nurse for 21 years and has worked on the Rapid Response Team for the last seven years. Her favorite thing about working for is the ability to expedite the care of declining patients quickly and safely, getting them to the best place for optimal care.

6. Sandra Shields, B.S.N., RN, CCRN, has been a nurse for nine years and currently works as a Cardiology Nurse at our Redbird location. Passionate about patient care, she is pursuing her master's to become a family nurse practitioner.

7. Mia Zebas, B.S.N., RN, serves as an orthopedic/spine nurse at Zale Lipshy Pavilion. She enjoys the culture of her unit and is very appreciative of her co-workers. In her free time, she attends church and plays pickleball with her husband.

UT Southwestern Q&A: Experts offer tips on talking to kids about traumatic events

Our hearts continue to be with those impacted by the tragedy in Allen. Conversations with children and loved ones about these events can be difficult. UTSW psychiatrists offer some helpful advice on how to navigate them. https://bit.ly/44MH1ys

UT Southwestern Q&A: Experts offer tips on talking to kids about traumatic events Whether it's after a natural disaster, a fatal shooting, or a tragedy closer to home, parents may find themselves trying to navigate difficult conversations with their children. What to say is just as important as what not to say, according to experts a...

Happy !

Today marks the first day of , when we honor and celebrate the skilled, compassionate individuals who provide excellent patient care on the front lines, educate the next generation of nurses, and contribute to important clinical research.

Join us in thanking the nurses at and beyond.

Carlos Arteaga, M.D., named to Susan G. Komen® research scholar group

Join us in congratulating Carlos L. Arteaga, M.D., Director of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern, who has been named a research scholar for Susan G. Komen®, one of the world’s leading breast cancer organizations.

Dr. Arteaga is one of nine new “Komen Scholars” who will join nearly 50 distinguished leaders in breast cancer research and advocacy.

Learn more about this prestigious honor and Dr. Arteaga’s contributions to breast cancer research. https://bit.ly/3LEjJSJ

Carlos Arteaga, M.D., named to Susan G. Komen® research scholar group Carlos L. Arteaga, M.D., Director of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and Associate Dean of Oncology Programs at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has been named as a research scholar for Susan G. Komen®, one of the world's leading breast...

Founders Day

Happy 80th birthday, UT Southwestern Medical Center!

80 years ago, Dr. Edward H. Cary's vision for an exemplary medical school and Karl Hoblitzelle's philanthropic investment began a story of excellence that continues today. Celebrate today by investing in UT Southwestern Medical Center's ongoing mission that continues to change lives.

Make your gift today:

Founders Day Celebrating UT Southwestern's pursuit of excellence with a day of giving.

UT Southwestern Physiology Chair, molecular geneticist elected to prestigious National Academy of Sciences

We're pleased to announce that two UT Southwestern scientists – Russell DeBose-Boyd, Ph.D., and Duojia Pan, Ph.D. – have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the highest honors for American scientists.

With Drs. DeBose-Boyd and Pan's elections, UT Southwestern now has 26 faculty members of the National Academy of Sciences, more than any other institution in Texas.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding investigators on this incredible achievement and for their contributions to biomedical science.

UT Southwestern Physiology Chair, molecular geneticist elected to prestigious National Academy of Sciences The National Academy of Sciences elected two UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists in the fields of molecular genetics and physiology into its membership, one of the highest honors for American scientists.

Liver transplant survivor's recovery linked to sociodemographic factors, UTSW study shows

UT Southwestern researchers report that liver transplant survivors’ recovery is linked to various sociodemographic factors. Liver transplantation expert Sarah R. Lieber, M.D., shares how these could lead to tailored interventions to optimize clinical and patient-centered outcomes among liver transplant recipients.

Liver transplant survivor's recovery linked to sociodemographic factors, UTSW study shows The resilience and coping abilities of post-liver transplantation patients vary and change over time and are often linked to sociodemographic factors including income, race, and education, a study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers shows.

A fresh face with a different kind of “moxie” - CT Plus - UT Southwestern Medical Center

At , a component of our mission is to provide the best care possible today, with continuous improvement and innovation for better care tomorrow. With the assistance of Moxie 1 and Moxie 2, nurses and patient care technicians are saving up to 30% of their shift time and devoting those hours to their patients. In the first three months on the team, the high-tech robots performed thousands of routine tasks that do not require patient interaction, such as collecting lab specimens for transport.

Learn more about the accomplishments Moxi has made in the first three months on the team. https://bit.ly/3HggKOU

A fresh face with a different kind of “moxie” - CT Plus - UT Southwestern Medical Center With heart-shaped eyes that light up, Moxi is hard to miss as the robot rolls down the halls of William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital.

Cardiovascular risk, complications changed as pandemic progressed

UT Southwestern researchers analyzed the various reasons the rate of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications increased among patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Learn more about the severe nature of this illness despite advances in prevention and patient care.

Cardiovascular risk, complications changed as pandemic progressed The rate of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications increased among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 2020 and December 2021, according to a new study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers.

Did you know has its own superheroes?

In recognition of and , we visited our mightiest superheroes - patients of UT Southwestern Pediatric Group! A big thank you to the Dallas Mavericks Champ and MavsMan for helping us celebrate.

Skin conditions may indicate more serious rheumatic disease, UT Southwestern physician says

Dermatologic problems, such as lesions caused by psoriasis, could signal a more serious rheumatic disease. Kathryn Dao, M.D., a UT Southwestern physician specializing in rheumatology, shares why knowing what to look for when dealing with skin conditions is essential.

Skin conditions may indicate more serious rheumatic disease, UT Southwestern physician says While rheumatic diseases typically affect the joints, muscles, or ligaments, the first signs of a problem may appear on the skin. A UT Southwestern physician who specializes in rheumatology says it's essential to know what to look for.

If you're an adult who tends to fall frequently, you may want to get checked out by a doctor to determine why. Internal medicine - geriatric expert Deborah Freeland, M.D., discusses with KERA preventive methods to help avoid falling.

Meet Erik Lee, B.S.N., RN, a nurse in UT Southwestern’s Neuroscience ICU, where he helps care for patients with life-threatening neurological conditions, such as strokes, aneurysms, brain tumors, and degenerative disorders.

As a critical care nurse, Erik provides emotional support to patients and families at some of their most vulnerable and challenging moments. And if they must face end-of-life decisions such as organ donation, he helps them navigate those, too, with grace, kindness, and clinical expertise.

Erik worked in an emergency department for a couple years before starting his nursing residency at UT Southwestern last year. As a new graduate nurse, he helped care for a patient who was going to have an organ procurement and saw firsthand the dedication and hard work that go into the entire donation process.

It has given him a unique perspective on just how powerful the gift of life can be.

"Being an organ donor means being able to give someone else a second chance,” he says. “Being a part of the donation process enlightened me on just how fleeting life can be – and how important organ donation can be to saving lives."

Above all else, Erik is grateful for his co-workers. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork and the support he receives from the people he works with when days are tough.

Visit https://bit.ly/3KGiJym to give the gift of life.

UTSW researchers discover how food-poisoning bacteria infect the intestines

Vibrio is the leading cause of seafood-related food poisoning after eating raw or undercooked shellfish. Read how UT Southwestern researchers strive to understand how these food-poisoning bacteria infect the intestines.

UTSW researchers discover how food-poisoning bacteria infect the intestines Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered how a bacterium that infects people after they eat raw or undercooked shellfish creates syringe-like structures to inject its toxins into intestinal cells.

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UT Southwestern, Children’s Health to lead clinical trial on pediatric cancer patients

UT Southwestern and Children's Health will lead a clinical trial to test a treatment strategy for pediatric cancer patients. Learn how enhancing immunotherapy with chemotherapy, successful in clinical trials for adults with cancer, may result in the same promise with children.

UT Southwestern, Children’s Health to lead clinical trial on pediatric cancer patients UT Southwestern Medical Center will lead a national multicenter clinical trial to test a treatment strategy for pediatric cancer patients that has shown promising results in adults.

Faculty, students, and staff gathered last week for the UT Southwestern Health System’s fifth annual Celebration of Excellence. They took pride in highlighting examples of innovation and improvement across our hospitals and clinics in the categories of quality, service, people, and financial stewardship. More than 100 success stories were showcased in the form of poster presentations from Health System teams.

This year's event featured keynote speaker Allan Frankel, M.D., Executive Principal for Vizient Safe and Reliable Healthcare, who shared how a positive workplace culture can lead to better outcomes in patient care as well as a framework for high reliability in health care. He applauded the efforts underway by our teams. “There’s something special about UT Southwestern.”

"It's been great to see all of my colleagues' hard work in person," added Sherri Wood Cooper, Manager of Volunteer Services. "Seeing them be rewarded was beautiful."

During the ceremony, participants were treated to a touching video that tells the story of Mark Feighner, one of our patients through his journey fighting two different types of cancer. He credits the multidisciplinary care team for his successful outcome.

“Over the course of treatment, there are literally hundreds of doctors, nurses, interns,” Mr. Feighner said, “and I can tell you without exception, they gave me the confidence that with their help, I was going to be able to make it through.”

UT Southwestern researchers discover critical protein for common bone growth disorder

UT Southwestern scientists explore how a critical protein could yield traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO), a condition where bone forms in muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues after injury or surgery. Learn how their findings may yield new ways to prevent this common complication.

UT Southwestern researchers discover critical protein for common bone growth disorder A team led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has discovered a protein that appears to be pivotal for traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO), a condition in which bone forms in muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues after traumatic injury ...

Sickle cell patients face higher risks in joint reconstruction surgeries

UT Southwestern study reports that patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who undergo total knee replacement are at higher risk for complications than non-SCD patients. Orthopaedic surgeon Senthil Sambandam, M.D., shares how a multidisciplinary approach provides high-quality care to patients with sickle cell.

Sickle cell patients face higher risks in joint reconstruction surgeries Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who undergo total knee replacement are at higher risk for complications than non-SCD patients, according to a large-scale, retrospective study by researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center and the University ...

Award-winning UT Southwestern/Parkland Health program improves health care for new mothers

UT Southwestern and Parkland Health have teamed together to improve new mothers' health care with an award-winning program. Find out how women with chronic hypertension and diabetes experienced improved maternal care and patient safety through this program.

Award-winning UT Southwestern/Parkland Health program improves health care for new mothers Women with chronic hypertension and diabetes who were enrolled in an award-winning program for 12 months after childbirth were more likely to keep follow-up health care visits, which in turn led to improved care, according to initial findings of the pro...

UT Southwestern Medical Center Kidney Cancer Program hosted its 10th Anniversary Symposium with over 30 divisions and departments collaborating on cutting-edge research and treatment.

More than 60 speakers presented a wide range of topics, from basic science to translational research and clinical trials. The symposium also provided an opportunity for networking, program resources, and collaborations.

Special thanks to all who attended!

We're pleased to announce that Medical Center at Coppell is now open!

Located at Cypress Waters, our newest regional facility makes accessing the innovative care and exceptional service you expect from more convenient. The clinic provides pediatric and adolescent care, adult care, wellness visits, on-site phlebotomy, and X-rays, among other services.

Learn more about our Coppell location and schedule your primary care appointment today: https://bit.ly/3LeFkSG

While Spring and Summer can mean shorts and flip-flops to some, approximately one-quarter of U.S. adults who suffer from seasonal allergies, mean tissues and nasal decongestants.

otolaryngologist Ashley Agan, M.D., offers steps to control symptoms and prevent inflammation related to environmental .

Read more: https://bit.ly/43GQ6sk

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset for 29 or 30 consecutive days, abstaining from any food or water.

Common practice is to eat one large meal at night and a lighter meal before sunrise. Between dusk and dawn, there are no dietary restrictions, but it is still wise to avoid high-fat and high-carb foods. Here are some dietary tips to follow for Ramadan from Parul Sharma, Ph.D., a registered dietitian and certified nutrition support clinician at ’s South Asian Heart Program in Las Colinas.

• Hydration is essential. Break your fast with water followed by a protein-rich shake, drink, or smoothie. If you start the iftar meal with dates, which is traditional, consider adding them to your protein smoothie.
• Make vegetables and fruits a big part of your meal. According to the USDA’s MyPlate website, vegetables and fruits should be half of your plate, and you should aim for color and variety.
• Eat lean protein. Complete proteins such as beef, milk, yogurt, eggs, cheese, fish, and poultry contain a variety of amino acids and are critical to maintaining and producing muscle mass. You can avoid saturated fats by choosing lean proteins such as fish, skinless chicken, turkey, or low-fat dairy products. For protein-rich vegetarian options, try legumes, beans, and nuts.
• Avoid rushing through your meal. Even though you may feel hungry after fasting, try not to overeat. Slowly consuming small portions is the best way to prevent weight gain.
• Avoid sugary and high-sodium foods.
• Follow a mild exercise routine.

Schedule an appointment at our South Asian Heart Program to see our culturally knowledgeable team of experts, including a registered dietitian who will provide an evaluation and help you maintain your heart health. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 214-645-8000 or visit: https://bit.ly/3KSZ8K8.

Ayesha Zia, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics, was named by the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society (HTRS) as the Chair of the organization’s 2023 Scientific Symposium in Orlando, FL.

Dr. Zia, who joined in 2013, leads the Pediatric Hemostasis Thrombosis Program and the Hemophilia Treatment Center in addition to serving as the Director of the Young Women’s Blood Disorders Program.

“It's a huge honor and I am beyond excited that I will be the face of UT Southwestern and drive the science at this important meeting, leading a group of clinicians and Ph.D. scientists in the planning committee,” Dr. Zia commented.

Dr. Zia is one small part of a series we share on our social media accounts. recognizes the nurses by our patient's bedside, the scientists, the physicians, the housekeepers, our students, and everyone in between - and sometimes in their own words. Stay tuned for more photos and stories from individuals across UT Southwestern Medical Center.