Gladys Keene, M.D., M.P.H., shows off the gavel presented to her by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, Ph.D. (right). With them are (from left) Dental School Dean Kenneth Kalkwarf, D.D.S., UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., and UT System Board of Regents Chair Colleen McHugh.
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Nearly 200 people from Laredo — and a number of state officials — were on hand Sept. 16 to congratulate Gladys C. Cronfel Keene, M.D., M.P.H., on her recent appointment as regional dean of the UT Health Science Center San Antonio’s Regional Campus in Laredo.

Dr. Keene’s celebration, held in the campus’ D.D. Hachar Building auditorium, was followed by the fourth annual Lilia Martinez Lecture, a presentation on oral health and diabetes. The lecture was presented by Brian Mealey, D.D.S., M.S., professor and director of the Periodontics graduate program in the university’s Dental School.

At a luncheon earlier in the day, School of Health Professions students thanked local donors for their gifts that make it possible for Laredo area students to earn a health professions degree and provide care in South Texas.

Related links: Taking care of teeth may improve diabetes Students thank scholarship donors

National search
At the reception, master of ceremonies Kenneth Kalkwarf, D.D.S., dean of the Health Science Center Dental School, said, “After an extensive national search, Dr. Keene was selected because of her experience, communication skills and enthusiasm, and for her expertise and understanding of Laredo and South Texas. The Health Science Center leadership is confident that she will be an outstanding leader who will advance our Laredo campus and programs to new levels of achievement in academics, clinical care, research and service.”

Enjoying the introduction by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, Ph.D., are (left to right) Regional Dean Gladys Keene, M.D., M.P.H.; UT System Board of Regents Chair Colleen McHugh; and UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., a Laredo native.

With an introduction by State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, Ph.D., and congratulatory remarks from Colleen McHugh, chair of The University of Texas System Board of Regents, and UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., Dr. Keene said, “I am pledging 100 percent of my commitment to this new job and I will do my best to merit your trust in taking this campus to the next level.”

Special gift from Sen. Zaffirini
During her introduction, Sen. Zaffirini surprised Dr. Keene by presenting her with a gavel used in the state senate. “We can only present four of these each year,” Sen. Zaffirini said, noting that in the past she had presented gavels to two others in the room, Chancellor Cigarroa and Regents Chair McHugh.

Laredo advocate for 18 years
Dr. Keene is a longtime Laredo physician and researcher who provides care to patients with allergy and asthma disorders. She served as executive director of the Area Health Education Center for the Mid Rio Grande Border Area of Texas, based in Laredo, since 1992. She is an associate professor in the Health Science Center’s Department of Pediatrics and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.

She brings to the position an in-depth knowledge about community health in Laredo.

Community teamwork
Dr. Keene noted that she is fortunate to be a member of a powerful team that has worked together since 1993 to advocate for better health care for the region and for better educational opportunities for Gateway City students, especially those interested in pursuing medical, dental and other health care professions. “As our work with the Health Science Center has grown, we have added new partners,” Dr. Keene said.

The team now includes colleagues from Gateway Community Health Center, Doctors Hospital of Laredo, Laredo Medical Center, Mercy Ministries of Laredo and Laredo Specialty Hospital, as well as educational partners from area school districts, Laredo Community College and Texas A&M International University.

Longtime health and medical providers such as Joaquin G. Cigarroa, M.D., and leaders at the UT Health Science Center, including President William L. Henrich, M.D., are joined with the community, Dr. Keene said, “to bring the highest level of achievement in education, clinical care and research to address the health care needs of this region.”