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Emergency Health Sciences faculty member receives award from National Association of EMS Physicians for leadership and service during Hill County flooding

 

Department of Emergency Health Sciences Assistant Professor Stephen Harper, MD, MPH, was awarded the EMS Physician Meritorious Service Award from the National Association of EMS Physicians for his service during the July 4, 2025, flooding in the Texas Hill Country. The award is given to honor exceptional service and leadership in the field.


Speech-language pathology students win PRAXIS Bowl at annual Texas Speech-Hearing Association conference

For second-year Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology student Lauren Guerra and her teammates, competing in the PRAXIS Bowl — a high-energy, game-show-style competition held during the Texas Speech-Hearing Association 70th Annual Convention and Exhibition in Fort Worth in February — provided a chance to prove that their entire graduating class has what it takes to be excellent speech-language pathologists. 

SLP students hold championship banner from 2026 PRAXIS Bowl competition.

Physical therapy professor selected for 2026 Presidential Excellence Award

Asssistant Profesor Anjali Sivaramakrishnan

Department of Physical Therapy Assistant Professor Anjali Sivaramakrishnan, PT, PhD, is a recipient of a 2026 Presidential Excellence Award for Teaching Excellence – Emergin


PT faculty present at American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting

 

Department of Physical Therapy faculty presented at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) 2026, held in Anaheim, California, Feb. 12–14.

The meeting was an outstanding success for the department, said Department Chair and Associate Professor Bradley Tragord, PT, DPT, DSc.

PT faculty and students at the APTA-CSM meeting stand in front of a research poster.

The sky is the limit when it comes to a career as a respiratory therapist, keynote speaker tells students during white coat ceremony

The Respiratory Care Class of 2027 received powerful advice along with their white coats in a Feb. 6 ceremony that symbolized their transition from classroom learning to clinical rotations

Marian Wiegand, MSRC, RRT, RRT-NPS, a 2018 graduate of the Master of Science in Respiratory Care program at UT San Antonio School of Health Professions, shared her own journey to discovering the respiratory care profession. 

Respiratory Care Class of 2027 recites the Respiratory Care Oath during their white coat ceremony on Feb.6, 2026.

MS in Imaging Sciences student sets bar high by passing registry exam at accelerated pace

The School of Health Professions is proud to celebrate students whose stories reflect the heart of our mission: serving the people of San Antonio by educating the next generation of healthcare professionals. Among these remarkable individuals is Joanna Flores, R.T.(R)(CT)(ARRT), a student in the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences (MSIS) Class of 2026. Joanna’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when talent, opportunity and community support come together.

A family tradition of service and healthcare


Health professions rank high and often in 100 Best Jobs of 2026 list by U.S. News and World Report

 

The health professions are well represented in the 100 Best Jobs of 2026 list recently published by U.S. News and World Report. 

Among the best jobs, the School of Health Professions offers programs for seven of the professions ranked in the top 100:


Retired OT faculty Ricky Joseph named Professor Emeritus

Ricky Joseph, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, was named Professor Emeritus in fall 2025. 


Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Achievements

Ana Allegretti
Allegretti

Dr. Ana Allegretti continues to be very active in her role as chair of the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for RESNA.


BS in Medical Sciences students participate in program’s first research day

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences program in the School of Health Professions typically plan to apply to medical school or other graduate programs in health professions —and one thing they will encounter no matter their journey in healthcare is research, said Professor Ahmad Galaleldeen, PhD, director of the BSMS program.

BS in Medical Sciences students pose in front of research and medical case posters during the program's first research day.

School of Health Professions faculty and students present at multiple state and national fall conferences

Numerous programs in the School of Health Professions attended conferences this fall, giving lectures, presenting research posters and even competing in a national student quiz competition. 

American Association for Respiratory Care National Congress

Respiratory Care faculty, students and alumni presented, attended and competed at the AARC National Congress in December. 

Occupational therapy faculty and program graduates presented at the Texas Occupational Therapy Association conference this fall.

Communication Sciences and Disorders professor receives 2025 Shirlyn B. McKenzie Teaching Excellence Award

Assistant Professor Cathy Torrington Eaton and Dean David Shelledy

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Assistant Professor Cathy Torrington Eaton, PhD, CCC-SLP, has received the 2025 Shirlyn B.


Rethinking albuterol: Professor wins $50,000 grant to improve how hospitals use a common breathing treatment

 

Short-acting bronchodilators, such as albuterol, are a common type of medication prescribed to patients experiencing acute airway obstruction caused by conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These drugs relax the airway, making it easier for patients to breathe.

However, these medications aren’t always prescribed following a strict protocol — and they can cause significant side effects, such as tremors, headache and increased heart rate.  


OT professor receives Kudolo Research Award at School of Health Professions Research Retreat

 

Assistant Professor Mei-Ling Lin, PhD, OTR, received the 2025 Kudolo Research Award during the School of Health Professions Research Retreat on Dec. 15.

Lin, who joined the Department of Occupational Therapy in 2021, specializes in research on social emotional health in the pediatric population and evidence-based prevention, promotion and intervention programs relevant to school and family mental health.

School of Health Professions Dean for Research Timothy Reistetter, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, and Assistant Professor Mei-Ling Lin, PhD, OTR post with Lin's Kudolo Research Award.

Respiratory Care program alum receives national award

Justin Garcia, a 2025 graduate of the Master of Science in Respiratory Care program, received a 2025 National Board for Respiratory Care Leadership Award through the Lambda Beta Society.


New associate dean of finance brings multifaceted experience to the School of Health Professions

Associate Dean of Finance Chermale Casem, MBA, PHR, considers herself an operational strategist who leverages the skills she honed while leading a nonprofit to strike the necessary balance between the big picture and the details in any given project.

“You always have to be mindful of the big picture,” she said. “It’s not only how do programs operate, but what are the human and financial resources needed for them to operate. So, I’m looking at all of the pieces and how they fit together — and how to make the best use of limited resources.”


Occupational therapy program hosts inaugural Splint-Off: Creativity meets clinical skill

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program in the School of Health Professions turned thermoplastic splinting material scraps into works of art and laughter on Nov. 20 during its inaugural in-house Splint-Off competition.

Occupational therapy students participate in the program's inaugural Splint-Off competition

Allied Health Games offer students a break for interprofessional fun and friendly competition

 

About 150 School of Health Professions students competed in the 2025 Allied Health Games on Nov. 8 in pursuit of bragging rights and a well-earned study break.

Five teams converged on campus to face off in nine games: indoor basketball, indoor volleyball, pickleball, sand volleyball, corn hole, softball, kickball, flag football and tug-of-war.

Physical therapy students won first place in the 2025 Allied Health Games and pose with the trophy.

Imaging Sciences Class of 2026 celebrates program’s first pinning ceremony

All 25 members of the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences Class of 2026 have taken and passed the national certification exam for radiologic technologists, an accomplishment that was celebrated at the program’s first-ever pinning ceremony on Oct. 29.

The MS in Imaging Sciences Class of 2026 at UT San Antonio School of Health Professions gathers for a group photo after receiving their pins.

Professor brings her experience as a veteran — and as a beekeeper — to OT program

 

When Assistant Professor Kimberly Ferland, EdD, OTR, CHT, relocated to San Antonio to join the Department of Occupational Therapy in the School of Health Professions, she brought deep clinical and leadership development experience from a 30-year military career — and five beehives. 

She also carried her belief in the power of relationships, a theme that runs through her story from the very beginning: how she discovered occupational therapy, served three decades in the U.S. Navy, achieved her dream faculty job and uses beekeeping to help veterans.

Assistant Professor Kimberly Ferland works with a frame in one of her beehives.

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