School of Health Professions News

Health professions students assist COVID patient positioning teams in ICU

Friday, January 29, 2021

By Kate Hunger 

Research has shown that turning COVID-19 patients onto their stomachs for a number of hours can help improve lung function and decrease mortality — but the process requires a specially trained team and a significant amount of time.

Occupational therapy doctoral program gains full accreditation

Friday, January 29, 2021

By Kate Hunger 

The School of Health Professions’ occupational therapy doctoral program is the first accredited state-supported entry-level OTD program in Texas.

The program received news of its full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) in December.

New alumni council supports wide range of SHP efforts

Friday, January 29, 2021

By Kate Hunger

The School of Health Professions Alumni Council held its inaugural meeting virtually in January. 

The council represents the voice of health professions alumni and supports the mission and goals of the School of Health Professions while serving as an advisory council in conjunction with alumni initiatives at the school. 

Respiratory care student embraces profession that enables him to help others

Thursday, January 28, 2021

After Anthony Mendoza Jr., graduated from high school in his hometown of Carrizo Springs, he worked for four years in the oil field, where he often put in 14-hour days. He decided he wanted a different career, one that would enable him to help others. He started taking college classes and researched health professions.

Teaching is a lifelong passion for Presidential Award winner

Thursday, January 28, 2021

As a high school science teacher, Meredith Quinene, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C, assistant professor and academic coordinator for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, learned to begin with the end in mind. 

When she decided to leave the classroom to become a physician assistant, for instance, she did so knowing that her ultimate goal was to one day join the faculty of UT Health San Antonio, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in physician assistant studies in 2003.

Professor coauthors textbook on respiratory critical care

Thursday, January 28, 2021

A textbook coauthored by Respiratory Care Professor Ruben Restrepo, MD RRT, FAARC, FCCP, is geared toward preparing respiratory therapists for the Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) exam while also providing essential information for all members of critical care teams.

Neuroplasticity is the focus of new PT faculty member’s research

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Department of Physical Therapy Assistant Professor Anjali Sivaramakrishnan, PT, Ph.D., wants to learn more about the potential of non-invasive brain stimulation on improving mobility for patients experiencing problems with movement due to neurological disorders. 

Dr. Sivaramakrishnan, who joined the faculty in December, is establishing her neuroplasticity research program. In particular, she is hoping her research will address gaps in the translation of the potential benefits of non-invasive brain stimulation from lab to clinic.

Students assemble clean birth kits and find other ways to serve

Monday, December 28, 2020

By Kate Hunger 

Three hundred mothers and their newborns in Nigeria will experience safer births using the clean birth kits physician assistant studies students created in December.

The Class of 2021 partnered with the nonprofit Global Health Charities to reduce infant and maternal mortality internationally. The effort was spearheaded by Evan Bridges and McKenzie Humphrey, global service coordinator and service coordinator for the Class of 2021, respectively.

Respiratory Care Assistant Professor Tabatha Dragonberry leads online education programs

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

By Kate Hunger 

Tabatha Dragonberry, DHSc, MBA, MEd, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, CPFT, C-NPT, assistant professor and director of online education for the Division of Respiratory Care, is keenly aware of both the potential and the pitfalls of distance education.

After all, Dr. Dragonberry has earned five online degrees. 

“I’ve been a student of the good, the bad, and the ugly of online,” she said. “This position is allowing me to mix my varied skills across the continuum of my education in one place.”

EHS faculty member to retire after more than 30 years of service

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

By Kate Hunger 

When Vicky Smith arrived for her first shift as an EMT paramedic, she didn’t even have time to put down her gear before heading to the scene of an accident on a foggy coastal road. Smith and her team arrived to find four teenagers dead and another critically injured. The trauma of that first shift briefly caused Smith to question her decision to pursue a career as an emergency medical responder, but she stayed and built a career that spanned four decades.