Deans

Monica Jean Alaniz-McGinnis, PhD

Assistant Dean for Assessment, Evaluation and Quality Improvement

956-296-1706

Monica.Alaniz@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Monica Jean Alaniz-McGinnis, PhD

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Monica Jean Alaniz-McGinnis, PhD
Assistant Dean for Assessment, Evaluation and Quality Improvement
Education and Academic Affairs
EMEBL 3.163
Email: Monica.Alaniz@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-296-1706

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Dr. Mónica Jean Alaniz-McGinnis is the Assistant Dean for Evaluation, Assessment, & Quality Improvement at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.  

Before her tenure as assistant dean, she served as the School of Medicine’s Evaluation and Assessment Manager and as a Qualitative Researcher in the Office of Research and Analytical Services at South Texas College. She graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio’s College of Education and Human Development with a PhD in Culture, Literacy & Language with her research focused on the post-secondary success of migrant farmworker students in the Rio Grande Valley.  While at UTSA, she was chosen as a fellow by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the Hispanic Leadership Program in Agriculture and Natural Resources, which allowed her to continue her research on migrant farmworker education. Dr. Alaniz-McGinnis has served on several statewide and local boards and committees, including the Texas Higher Education Board’s Mexican-American Studies Field of Study Advisory Committee.  Due to her expertise in the field of evaluation and assessment, Dr. Alaniz-McGinnis continues to serve as an adjunct professor and guest speaker in the field of educational research and evaluation. In her current role as assistant dean, she is responsible for the collection and analysis of data on undergraduate medical education courses as well as other programs throughout the School of Medicine in order to assure continued development and growth of the institution. 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Guides faculty and administration in interpreting student assessment/evaluation results and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement of curricula, instruction, and assessment methods.
  
  
• Develops and directs programs in support of UTRGV’s education mission and goals.
  
  
• Works with the Quality Director for Graduate Medical Education to establish quality programs in medical student education.
  
  
• Collaborates with other faculty to conduct educational research and develop scholarly publications.
  
  
• Designs research projects in assessment, evaluation and quality related to educational mission and analysis results with appropriate statistical techniques.

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Stephanie Atkins Sharpe, MSLIS

Associate Dean, School of Medicine Library

(956) 296-1599

Stephanie.Atkinssharpe@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Stephanie Atkins Sharpe, MSLIS

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Stephanie Atkins Sharpe, MSLIS
Associate Dean, School of Medicine Library
School of Medicine Library
Email: Stephanie.Atkinssharpe@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1599

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Stephanie Atkins Sharpe is the Associate Dean of the School of Medicine Library. She previously served as the Access Services Librarian at the UTRGV School of Medicine Library from 2016 to 2021. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience working in academic libraries. She has worked at Ball State University (Indiana), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Washington University in St. Louis prior to joining UTRGV. Stephanie earned her undergraduate degree at Southwestern University (Texas) and her Master of Science in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Stephanie is a member of the Medical Library Association and the South-Central Chapter of the Medical Library Association. 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Creates and communicates a share division for library and information services and resources that are aligned with the vision, mission and goals of the School of Medicine, UT Health RGV and the Division of Health Affairs in alignment with the University Library. Seeks input and assistance from key constituency groups in order to identify priorities, implement plans, and evaluate services.
  
  
• Assures the delivery of high-quality resources and tools that align with the education, research, clinical and service missions of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine, Division of Health Affairs and UT Health RGV.
  
  
• Establishes fiscal, resource and programmatic priorities for the assigned library locations, including developing the Libraries’ budget, oversees expenditures, and accounts, ensuring the financial expenditures are compliant with University requirements and the overarching library priorities.
  
  
• Serves as a senior manager within the University Library system to create the overall vision for UTRGV libraries, guide the process of setting priorities, and develop strategies for achieving them.
  
  
• Recruits, leads, motivates, and develops staff in a way that fosters engagement and high performance. Creates and communicates clear performance measures, accountability and continuing education to develop staff.  Promotes diversity within the Libraries in the School of Medicine, Division of Health Affairs, and UTRGV.

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Mercy Azeke, EdD

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Mercy.Azeke@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Mercy Azeke, EdD

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Mercy Azeke, EdD
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Student Affairs
Email: Mercy.Azeke@utrgv.edu

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Mercy Azeke is a graduate of Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, where she received her M.Ed. (1980) in Curriculum Instruction, and Ed. D. (1985) in Vocational Education. She also successfully completed two leadership fellowships:

American Association of Higher Education Black Caucus Leadership and Mentoring Institute, Savannah State University, Savannah, GA; (2005)

Presidential Institute for Administrative Leadership Development, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA; (2003-2004)

Prior to joining UTRGV School of Medicine, Dr. Azeke was the Assistant Vice Provost for Student Success at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ. Prior to that, she was the Dean of Center for Student Success (CSS) and Academic Advising. She also worked at Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Virginia Tech), Norfolk State University, Virginia and Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois.

Dr. Azeke has over 30 years of work experience in higher education. Her areas of expertise include - but are not limited to - student development, student retention and success, university-wide academic advising, and academic, career, and personal support services to students.

 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

 

• Provides leadership and strategic support for all student affairs matters, including career advising, learning environment, student mistreatment, student academic advising, Match Day, Graduation, and White Coat ceremonies.

 

• Assists with planning and coordinating orientation programs for incoming students.

 

• Serves as an advocate for students’ concerns and needs with faculty and administration.

 

• Facilitates access to counseling resources for personal and academic concerns.

 

• Serves as professionalism officer of student affairs, including developing activities to promote the growth of professionalism in students.

 

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Kelsey Baker, PhD

Assistant Dean for Pre-Clerkships

Kelsey.Baker@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Kelsey Baker, PhD

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Kelsey Baker, PhD
Assistant Dean for Pre-Clerkships
Education & Academic Affairs
Email: Kelsey.Baker@utrgv.edu

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Key Roles and Responsibilities

 

• Overseeing the daily operations of the pre-clinical curriculum, which includes liaising closely with administrative staff, faculty, and leadership. 

 

• Overseeing module development, integration, review, and revisions in the pre-clinical curriculum.

 

• Serving on committees related to the pre-clerkship curriculum Assisting with the design, delivery, and management of the pre-clerkship curriculum.

 

• In collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs, monitoring and addressing academic or disciplinary problems arising with the second-year medical students. 

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Chelsea Chang, MD

Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education / Designated Institutional Official (DIO) / Associate Professor of Internal Medicine

Chelsea.Chang@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Chelsea Chang, MD

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Chelsea Chang, MD
Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education / Designated Institutional Official (DIO) / Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
Graduate Medical Education
Email: Chelsea.Chang@utrgv.edu

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Dr. Chelsea Hook Chang is the Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education, Designated Institutional Official (DIO), and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the UTRGV School of Medicine. 

Dr. Chang is a proud Rio Grande Valley native who has returned to serve her community. In 2012, she completed medical school at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. She later completed her Internal Medicine Residency in 2015 and was awarded Intern of the Year at Baylor Scott & White in Temple, Texas, where she trained. In 2015, Dr. Chang achieved board certification and began working as a primary care physician and a clinical assistant professor in Temple, Texas. 

Dr. Chang has been employed by the UTRGV School of Medicine as Assistant Professor and Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency. Her special interests include population health, preventive care, and training the next generation of physicians.

 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

 

• Works with the program directors and hospital leadership to foster a diverse and inclusive community of graduate medical education (GME) faculty, staff, residents, and fellows of the highest quality.

 

• Oversees the development of new GME programs and fellowships in coordination with the SOM and partner hospital finance teams.

 

• Collects, displays, and analyzes data as well as drives continuous process improvement on program and institutional quality indicators, including Annual Program Evaluations, Annual Institutional Review, ACGME Faculty and Resident Survey data, CLER visit reports, Site visit reports, Graduate Performance data, Faculty Development data, and Program Director development.

 

• Represents the School of Medicine in all external matters pertaining to Graduate Medical Education as assigned by the Associate Dean for GME/DIO.

 

• Serves as Vice-Chair of the Graduate Medical Education Committee and supports its organizational structure and strategic planning.

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Maurice Clifton, MD, MSEd, MBA

Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions

Maurice.Clifton@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Maurice Clifton, MD, MSEd, MBA

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Maurice Clifton, MD, MSEd, MBA
Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions
Student Affairs
Email: Maurice.Clifton@utrgv.edu

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Maurice Clifton, MD, MSEd, MBA, is the Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions at the UTRGV School of Medicine. With over 20 years of experience in medical education and leadership, Dr. Clifton has previously held positions at R3 Education Inc., Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, and the University of Pittsburgh. His roles have included Senior Vice President for Medical Education, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Director of Student Advising, and Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs. Dr. Clifton's expertise spans across standardized patient assessments, curriculum design, clinical reasoning, adolescent medicine, and research and analytics. Prior to joining UTRGV, he was the Executive Dean and Professor of Internal Medicine at Saba University School of Medicine.

Dr. Clifton completed his medical degree at the University of Washington, Seattle, a residency in Internal Medicine at Cedars Sinai, and a fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. He also earned a Masters in Education at the University of Southern California and an MBA at The Wharton School. In his current role, he reports to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs, overseeing the staff and budget of the student affairs and admissions programs. He is responsible for implementing policies and programs to support medical students from admission through graduation, focusing on academic progress, student advising, learning environment, career development, and wellness initiatives. His extensive experience and leadership in academic medicine contribute significantly to the advancement of medical education and student support at UTRGV School of Medicine.

 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

 

• Oversees the daily operations of the Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) student affairs and admissions functions liaising closely with students, administrative staff, faculty, and leadership to ensure excellent service to students.

 

• Assists in the design, delivery, and management of the student affairs and admissions functions in alignment with LCME standards.

 

• Oversees UME events including orientation, white coat ceremony, match day, and graduation.

 

• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Offices of Student Affairs and Admissions.

 

• Provides resources for students to successfully navigate the application process for residency including writing the MSPE.

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Angela R. Cook, PhD, MNHP, RN, OCN, CCRP

Interim Senior Associate Dean, Research

Angela.Cook@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Angela R. Cook, PhD, MNHP, RN, OCN, CCRP

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Angela R. Cook, PhD, MNHP, RN, OCN, CCRP
Interim Senior Associate Dean, Research
Research
Email: Angela.Cook@utrgv.edu

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Dr. Angela R. Cook joined the UTRGV School of Medicine in 2021 as the Associate Vice President for Clinical and Translational Research.

Dr. Cook earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Northern Iowa, her Master's in Nursing and Healthcare Practice at the University of Iowa, and her Doctorate in Nursing and Healthcare Practice at The University of Texas at Austin.

Before joining UTRGV, Dr. Cook served as executive director of research at The University of Kansas Health System, director of shared research services for the UT System, and director for clinical research at the UT Medical Branch in Galveston.

Dr. Cook utilizes her years of experience to help guide strategic efforts for clinical and translational research. Her work improves studies in areas such as neuroscience, cancer, and diabetes.

Dr. Cook works with faculty and the community through a clinical trials program that translates knowledge gained from the laboratory into new diagnostic tests and treatments for improving patient outcomes in the Rio Grande Valley - and beyond.

 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Promotes and facilitates success in the research mission of the School of Medicine.

• Establishes the School of Medicine’s research programs and ensures that the faculty,
staff, and students engaged in research are committed to the highest standards of
ethics, integrity, and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies for
sponsored projects and research.

• Provides strategic planning and vision necessary to advance excellence in research
and research learning and oversees development of building and capital maintenance
of research resources.

• Leads efforts for mission integration across the School of Medicine and throughout the University.

• Works with Institutional Advancement, faculty, and staff of the School of Medicine to
develop extramural funding opportunities to support research and academic
programs.

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Kristan Diaz-Rios, MD

Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education / Assistant Designated Institutional Official (DIO)

Kristan.DiazRios@utrgv.edu

Kristan Diaz-Rios, MD

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Kristan Diaz-Rios, MD
Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education / Assistant Designated Institutional Official (DIO)
Email: Kristan.DiazRios@utrgv.edu

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Dr. Kristan Diaz-Rios is a Board Certified Family Medicine Doctor at UT Health RGV. She completed her Bachelor of Arts from Brown University in 2002. She received her Medical Degree (M.D) from Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in 2007. She then went on to complete her Family Medicine Residency in 2010 followed by an Obstetrics fellowship in 2011 with the CHRISTUS Spohn Family Medicine Residency Program in Corpus Christi, TX.

Dr. Diaz-Rios is Board Certified by The American Board of Family Medicine. In addition, she is a member of several professional societies, including American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association and Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors.

Dr. Diaz-Rios diagnoses and provides advanced medical treatment in family medicine, obstetrics, pregnancy care, pediatric and adolescent medicine, adult and geriatric full-spectrum care, preventative care, acute illness, chronic conditions, and more.

Dr. Kristan Diaz-Rios joined The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine Faculty in 2017 and currently serves as the Program Director for the DHR-Family Medicine Residency Progam and as an Assistant Professor with UTRGV.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Diaz-Rios enjoys golfing, running, traveling to the beach, sporting events with her family.

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Sambandam Elango, MD, FACS, M MED Ed

Associate Dean of Educational Affairs

Sambandam.Elango@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Sambandam Elango, MD, FACS, M MED Ed

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Sambandam Elango, MD, FACS, M MED Ed
Associate Dean of Educational Affairs
Email: Sambandam.Elango@utrgv.edu

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Dr. Sambandam Elango is the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs (UME) at UTRGV School of Medicine. Dr. Elango has over three decades of experience in UME and GME. Prior to joining UTRGV, Dr. Elango has worked in two medical schools in California, contributing to the development of an innovative curriculum and in the preparation for the provisional LCME accreditation.

 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

 

• Oversees the daily operations of the Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) curriculum liaising closely with Assistant Deans of Clerkship and Pre-Clerkship, administrative staff, faculty, and leadership to ensure timely and cohesive delivery of the curriculum.
  
  
• Assists in the design, delivery, and management of the UME curriculum in alignment with LCME standards.
  
  
• Works closely with faculty and curriculum leadership team to create, implement, and assess curricular innovations.
  
  
• Oversees all aspects related to the evaluation of the curriculum including student, faculty, and resident evaluations.
  
  
• Oversees clerkship and pre-clerkship module development and review.
  
  
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Office of Educational Affairs

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Jeremy Gibson, MD

Vice Dean, Education

Jeremy.Gibson@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Jeremy Gibson, MD

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Jeremy Gibson, MD
Vice Dean, Education
Email: Jeremy.Gibson@utrgv.edu

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Dr. Jeremy Gibson is the current Vice Dean for Education Affairs at the UTRGV SOM. In this leadership role, Dr. Gibson oversees the School of Medicine’s medical education program, student affairs, graduate medical education and continuing medical education programs, and is leading our accreditation efforts. He is an academic pediatric hospitalist with extensive experience at all levels of medical education. During his accomplished career, Dr. Gibson has held many academic titles, including pediatric clerkship director, pediatric residency director, Vice-Chair of Education in Pediatrics, Associate Regional Campus Dean, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Prior to coming to UTRGV, Dr. Gibson was at Texas A&M University College of Medicine where he had oversight over UME, GME, and CME curriculum and all regional campus and site deans reported to him. Notable accomplishments while serving in this role included LCME approval of the Engineering Medicine Track, full LCME accreditation, and curriculum continuity through the COVID-19 pandemic. As a clinician, he is a multi-award-winning teacher and respected by his colleagues as an expert diagnostician and critical thinker. He has a passion for helping the struggling learner particularly around standard test taking. Dr. Gibson is a graduate of University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston and completed his residency and chief residency at Scott & White Memorial Hospital.

 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Advises and supports the Dean by providing leadership, coordination, accountability, and oversight over the academic programs of the School of Medicine (SOM) including undergraduate medical education (UME), graduate medical education (GME), and continuing medical education (CME).
  
  
• Leads, organizes, and coordinates the process for accreditation of the School of Medicine including the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
  
  
• Develops and applies measures of educational quality and quality improvement related to each academic program in line with progressive best practices across top tier medical schools and academic medical centers.
  
  
• Leads in the development of innovative, future-oriented educational programs; meeting accreditation standards; and forging effective inter-and intra-professional partnerships with faculty and staff to fulfill the SOM academic mission.

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Maria de Jesus Munoz, MD

Assistant Dean of Clerkships

(956) 296-1900

MariadeJesus.Munoz@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Maria de Jesus Munoz, MD

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Maria de Jesus Munoz, MD
Assistant Dean of Clerkships
Email: MariadeJesus.Munoz@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1900

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Maria de Jesus Munoz, M.D, is the Dean of Clerkships and an Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.

She previously served as the Assistant Program Director at the UTRGV/DHR Family Medicine Residency and was the Family Medicine Clerkship Director. Dr. Munoz completed her medical training at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She completed a Family Medicine Residency Training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. In addition, she has practiced in many community settings and served underserved populations.

Before joining the UTRGV Department of Family and Community Medicine in 2019, she was employed by the State of Texas and provided primary care services in the outpatient setting. Prior to this, Dr. Munoz was a private practice physician in San Benito, TX. She was also an active participant in the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dept. of Family & Community Medicine Regional Academic Health Center as the Regional Site Clerkship Director for Family Medicine Clerkship in Harlingen, TX.

Dr. Munoz is currently completing her Masters in Academic Medicine and is interested in
curriculum development.

 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

 

• Assists in the design, delivery and management of the UME clinical clerkship curriculum in alignment with LCME standards and the Central Curriculum Authority Committee of UTRGV SOM (CCAC).

• Works closely with faculty and curriculum leadership to co-create, implement and assess curricular innovations.

• Identifies, supports, supervises and evaluates Clerkship Directors and clinical educators participating in clerkship education.

• Partners with clerkship directors and clinical faculty to implement revisions and updates to clinical curriculum.

• Identifies, recruits, and develops clinical training sites for third- and fourth-year rotations.

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Michael Patriarca, MBA

Executive Vice Dean, School of Medicine, Vice President, UT Health RGV

(956) 296-1995

Michael.Patriarca@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Michael Patriarca, MBA

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Michael Patriarca, MBA
Executive Vice Dean, School of Medicine, Vice President, UT Health RGV
Email: Michael.Patriarca@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1995

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Mr. Michael Patriarca, MBA is the Sr. Associate Vice President, Division of Health Affairs and Executive Vice Dean, School of Medicine at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). At UTRGV, he leads the Finance and Administrative functions for the Division of Health Affairs and the School of Medicine. He is also the Executive Director for UT Health RGV, the clinical practice plan of the UTRGV School of Medicine.

Prior to joining UTRGV, Mr. Patriarca spent time at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where, since early 2015, had served as the Director of Finance in the Office of the Dean for the School of Medicine & Provost. In this role, he was responsible for the funds flow, budget, and capital budget for the School of Medicine. Prior to joining UT Southwestern, Mr. Patriarca spent 8 years at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, where he held various leadership roles across the finance, operations, practice plan, resource allocation and planning functions within the Office of the Provost/Dean of the School of Medicine.

Mr. Patriarca earned his undergraduate Finance degree from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University and holds an MBA from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. He is currently working towards a Master’s of Science in Business Analytics, scheduled to be completed in 2021.

 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

 

• Serves as the chief operations officer for the UTRGV School of Medicine and represents the dean on administrative, business, and financial matters with affiliate hospitals and organizations.

 

• Leads the financial and administrative functions of the School of Medicine by providing strategic direction and goal setting for operational executives in areas such as finance, human resources, information services, planning, facilities, and operations.

 

• Serves as a member of senior leadership groups for all major decisions affecting the School of Medicine. Provides information and counsel to the executive leadership team on fiscal and administrative matters related to institution-wide planning, policies, and procedures.

 

• Negotiates and builds alliances and contracts with healthcare affiliates and government agencies on a local, national, and international level to solidify and maintain connections with strategic partners.

 

• Represents the School of Medicine at a number of high-level committees related to strategic interests, institutional governance, and affiliate hospital and research partners.

 

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John Ronnau, PhD

Senior Associate Dean, Community Health Partnerships

(956) 665-6438

John.Ronnau@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

John Ronnau, PhD

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John Ronnau, PhD
Senior Associate Dean, Community Health Partnerships
Community Health Partnerships
Email: John.Ronnau@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-6438

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Dr. John Ronnau is the Senior Associate Dean for Community Health Partnerships. In this role, he is the Director of the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program, which includes primary health care clinics and other services in three Counties. He is also involved in various other community partnerships on behalf of the School of Medicine. He has held academic appointments as a faculty member and administrator for 30 years. His administrative roles have included Graduate Program Coordinator, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Director of a Research Institute and Department Chair, and Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services. He served at The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College for seven years as Dean of Graduate Studies and Sponsored Programs and Vice-President for Administration and Partnership Affairs. He has also worked as a clinical Social Worker and an elementary school teacher.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Leads the school’s efforts to implement the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program in support of the school’s goals and objectives for community engagement.
  
  
• Provides support for advancing the community health partnership priorities identified in the school’s strategic plan.
  
  
• Coordinates closely with the University’s Office of the Vice President for Governmental and Community Relations.
  
  
• Adheres to federal funding agency guidelines pertaining to acknowledgment and disclaimer on all products produced by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) award funds for the AHEC program.
  
  
• Develops and implements applicable contractual agreements, which must include a statement of work, designation of roles and responsibilities, and appropriate financing provisions between the AHEC Program and the governing body of each center located in the community or other relevant party.

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Beatriz Tapia, MD, EdD, MPH

Assistant Dean, Faculty Development, Interim Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Development

(956) 296-1481

Beatriz.Tapia@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Beatriz Tapia, MD, EdD, MPH

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Beatriz Tapia, MD, EdD, MPH
Assistant Dean, Faculty Development, Interim Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Development
Faculty Development
Email: Beatriz.Tapia@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1481

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Beatriz Tapia, M.D., Ed.D., M.P.H, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and the Assistant Dean of Faculty Development at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Harlingen, Texas. Dr. Tapia is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She attended the Autonomous University of Puebla in Mexico, where she received her M.D., and the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University (JHSPH), in Baltimore, Maryland, where she received her Master’s in Public Health. In addition to her M.P.H., Dr. Tapia trained in occupational health and environmental medicine, health disparities and health inequality at the JHSPH. Dr. Tapia is also a recent graduate of a Doctor of Education in Professional Leadership with an Emphasis in Health Science Education from the University of Houston.

Since her appointment as assistant dean in 2015, Dr. Tapia has led the planning of over 120 faculty development series and workshops for UME and GME. Dr. Tapia is also a founding member for the Texas Consortium for Faculty Success (TCFS) established in 2016. The TCFS is a professional community of faculty and administrative leaders responsible for faculty affairs and faculty development in Texas' academic health institutions.

Dr. Tapia is a strong advocate for the medically underserved; she continuously provides environmental and public health education to promotoras (lay healthcare workers), public health professionals and community centers. Her research interests are border health, environmental medicine, public health, minority health, faculty development and medical education research.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Provides faculty development by promoting best practices for teaching and learning using learning-centered strategies and innovative education technologies in the context of medical education within higher education.
  
  
• Identifies assessment strategies and instruments to improve learning outcomes and increase medical education research and scholarship at the individual, department and programmatic level.
  
  
• Maintains ongoing dialogue with School of Medicine leadership regarding department-specific faculty developmental needs in regard to wellness, mentoring, assessment and evaluation, and learning environments that foster faculty success.
  
  
• Works closely with UTRGV Office of Faculty Affairs and Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Enrichment to ensure coordinated efforts in faculty development.
  
  
• Develops, coordinates and presents skill-building seminars and workshops, organizes departmental mentorship and leadership programs and promotes professional development courses.

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Leonel Vela, MD, MPH

Senior Associate Dean, Educational Resources

(956) 296-1411

Leonel.Vela@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Leonel Vela, MD, MPH

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Leonel Vela, MD, MPH
Senior Associate Dean, Educational Resources
Educational Resources
Email: Leonel.Vela@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1411

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Dr. Leonel Vela is the Associate Vice President for Education-Division of Health Affairs, Senior Associate Dean for Educational Resources and holds a faculty appointment of Professor with Tenure in the Department of Family Medicine at the UT Rio Grande Valley-School of Medicine. He was Founding Dean of the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC), a campus of the University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio (UTHSCSA), where he also held the appointment of Professor with Tenure in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. In this capacity, Dr. Vela directed the medical education and biomedical research components of the RAHC. As its first Regional Dean, he provided leadership in the development and establishment of the RAHC campuses during their formative years. Dr. Vela was previously at Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) where he was Vice President for Rural and Community Health, first holder of the Marie Hall Endowed Chair in Rural Health, Medical Director of Telemedicine/Telehealth and Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Vela received undergraduate degrees from Stanford University and medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed post-graduate studies at Harvard where he received a Master of Public Health Degree and was a Kellogg Fellow in Health Policy and Management. He completed post-graduate training in Preventive Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine. His publications, professional presentations and committees have included medical education, tuberculosis, diabetes, migrant health, border health and telemedicine. He previously chaired the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health for the U.S. Secretary of Health and received the Plate of Bounty Award by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Migrant Head Start Branch. Dr. Vela was honored by Texas Tech University Health Science Center as recipient of the Rural Health Visionary Award and was a UTRGV School of Medicine inaugural member of the UT System Kenneth I. Shine M.D. Academy of Health Science Education.

 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

 

• Oversee library resources. 
   

• Represent UTRGV SOM on special projects and events related to promoting the educational resources of SOM to prospective students. 
   
• Assure compliance with LCME requirements for institutional accreditation regarding student resources; work with SOM and university leadership to promote student resources for all learners. 
   
• Support the needs of clinical skills and simulation hospital resources and develop plans for effective use of these resources; work collaboratively to develop an optimal learning environment for trainees. 
   
• Collaborate with Student Affairs and Student Government Association leadership on mechanisms to ensure adequacy of library and other student resources.  

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Muriel Warren, MBA

Assistant Dean, Accreditation

(956) 296-1704

Muriel.Warren@utrgv.edu

• Roles and Responsibilities

Muriel Warren, MBA

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Muriel Warren, MBA
Assistant Dean, Accreditation
Accreditation, Effectiveness, & Quality Enhancement
Email: Muriel.Warren@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1704

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Muriel Warren, MBA, joined the UTRGV School of Medicine in February 2021 as the Assistant Dean for Accreditation. Her educational background includes a Master of Business Administration from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communication from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. Aside from her education, Warren’s career in higher education spans over 19 years. Prior to joining the UTRGV School of Medicine, Warren served as director of accreditation for Mercer University School of Medicine. In 2015, she joined Samford University’s Office of Institutional Research and Assessment as accreditation compliance manager and served as associate director of institutional assessment and compliance.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Responsible for keeping abreast of SOM evolving accreditation standards, overseeing the preparation and timely submission of requirements of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and processes for monitoring compliance with accreditation standards and documenting continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Advises SOM leadership on matters related to LCME, program evaluations, and reviews.
  
  
• Oversees and manages all LCME site visits.
  
  
• Oversees the LCME accreditation process for SOM in collaboration with the assigned supervisor.
  
  
• Develops short and long-range plans, conceptual designs, budget requirements and documentation for assigned area.

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