The Word: UIW Community Newsletter - November 20, 2020

Join UIW President Dr. Thomas M. Evans for the State of the University 2020, a comprehensive overview of the year that was, current developments and important updates about what lies in store for our University community. This year, Dr. Evans is accompanied by university leaders to share specific information from their divisions. The State of the University originally premiered on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 10 a.m.

The University of the Incarnate Word has established a scholarship endowment with a $50,000 gift from Gonzaba Medical Group to support students in the Master of Health Administration program at the H-E-B School of Business and Administration.

The Dr. Bill Gonzaba Endowed Scholarship for Healthcare Leadership and Innovation in Health Administration is established in honor of Dr. William "Bill" Gonzaba, the founder and CEO of Gonzaba Medical Group, which has served San Antonio for more than 60 years.

The scholarship will provide financial support for minority, first-generation students seeking a graduate-level degree in health administration. Recipients of the scholarship will meet Tier I admission status with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

"The MHA program is extremely grateful to Dr. Bill Gonzaba for his generous donation to establish an endowment that will provide scholarship opportunities for our future MHA students," said Dr. Chris Nesser, the director of UIW's Master of Health Administration program. "This scholarship-generating endowment will enable us to recruit even more highly qualified minority students into our MHA program who otherwise could not afford to attend."

The MHA program has partnered with Gonzaba Medical Group in recent years to place students in its practices through the Graduate Assistantship Program, part of the MHA curriculum. Graduate assistants spend an average of 15 hours each week during their final two semesters at their host practice, while concurrently attending classes.

The partnership provides an excellent opportunity for MHA students to gain real-world experience at an organization that has an exceptional and comprehensive approach to coordinated care.

MHA alumna Kara Lindeman (2020) completed her graduate assistantship with Gonzaba Medical Group and was hired as project manager after graduation.

"Entering the UIW MHA program, I would never have dreamed of the opportunities it would grant me," Lindeman said. "With not having any previous formal training, I was beyond grateful that they took a chance on me. Dr. Bill and his group have poured resources and time over the past year into developing me into who I am today, an IT project manager."

Brant Kelley, a 2019 alumnus of the MHA program, also completed his graduate assistantship with Gonzaba Medical Group and was hired as a project manager.

"I am very appreciative of the opportunities afforded me by Dr. Bill and Gonzaba Medical Group. From my graduate assistantship to now full-time employment, I cannot think of a more rewarding entrance into healthcare," Kelley said. "This endowment will have a tremendous impact on the MHA program. I am proud of my alma mater and I am happy that future MHA students will benefit from Dr. Bill's generosity."

"For future graduate students, Dr. Gonzaba's endowment will enable others who want to seek out higher education, but maybe lack the financial resources, to have the same experience of learning hands-on and working with a company that believes in their employees to see them develop towards their full potential," Lindeman said. "With all my heart, thank you, UIW MHA and Gonzaba Medical Group."

The MHA program at UIW, established in 2010, provides students with a health systems perspective based on an understanding of health and disease, as well as the economic and social factors that influence the industry. The 21-month, 48-hour program is designed for those seeking to pursue leadership careers in the healthcare industry.

UIW is paving the way in Texas. Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) is a program specifically designed for military veterans transitioning from military to university life. Over the spring of 2020, Adriana Leal, director of UIW’s Center for Veterans Affairs, Jonathan Lovejoy, senior director of Military & Veterans Affairs, Dr. Juan Gonzalez, assistant professor, and Christopher Marmolejo, president of UIW Student Veterans of America, recognized a need for such a program at UIW. With 25 percent of the entire UIW student body being military-affiliated, it is important for the University to explore multiple approaches to support the school’s military affiliated-student population. Many of these military students not only bring with them guaranteed paid Veteran Education Benefits, but also recruit their co-workers, family and friends. The PAVE concept is to pair new student veterans with more experienced student veterans who will act as trained Peer Advisors. PAVE is not a mentorship program, but a program where one student veteran assists another student veteran with college life. There are many unknowns for veterans that can cause anxiety and generate questions that often go unasked. A fellow veteran and trained Peer Advisor can help fill that gap and provide answers.

The PAVE program was created at the University of Michigan and is an integral part of Military Support Programs and Networks (M-SPAN). The initial funding for PAVE came from the Welcome Back Veterans Initiative, which includes the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and Major League Baseball Charities. The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF) provided the funding to develop and launch PAVE on a national scale. Recently, grants from the May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation are enabling PAVE to continue to expand to additional schools in the Western U.S. and Illinois in 2020. In Spring 2020, UIW applied to PAVE to bring the program to UIW. On May 8, 2020, UIW was selected and awarded a grant to become one of 43 campuses across the nation, the second in Texas, and the only program in South Texas. However, the PAVE support does not stop here. UIW’s PAVE program is eligible to receive additional funding from individuals or corporate sponsors from the region. 

The UIW PAVE Team is rivaled by no other, and is led by Team Leader, Phillip Rangel, a Retired Air Force veteran, and two-time graduate of UIW and a current Ph.D. student studying Organizational Leadership and Adult Education. In addition to the team leader, there are five peer advisors: Jeff Neal, Retired Air Force Veteran, two-time UIW graduate, and current Ph.D. student; Omar Ozuna, Retired Navy veteran and current UIW student; Daniel Forney, Army veteran and current student; Jessica Ledlow, Active Duty Air Force assigned to the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, CO and current student; and Robert Greener, Active Duty Army physician's assistant and current student. Besides volunteering as PAVE Peer Advisors, they are working professionals, raising families, and full-time UIW students. A noble gesture of continued service to their community, and because of their dedication, UIW was recognized, as the “Featured Campus” in the PAVE National’s October 2020 newsletter. 

Since launching at UIW in Fall 2020, PAVE has already been a success with the enrollment of 95 students in the program, and multiple interactions with peer advisors. Success can be measured by helping one individual succeed in their education endeavors. Success is referring the student veteran to a resource on or off campus such as UIW’s Advising Office or the University’s Counseling Services. Success is providing an avenue for veterans to talk to other veterans, listen, provide emotional support, confidence, and encouragement for academic success. Success is passing information to student veterans about veteran organizations and events, such as the UIW Student Veteran of America Chapter. 

Read about the UIW Pave Team Members

Ann D. David, Ph.D., associate professor of Teacher Education in the Dreeben School of Education, co-presented “Changing Instruction, Changing Culture: One District’s Emerging Model for Moving to Student-Centered Writing Instruction” at the virtual 2020 National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention.

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is a professional organization with more than 100 years of experience working to improve the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education. NCTE holds an annual convention for members to access the latest research, teaching strategies, expertise and resources. 

The panel presentation offered the experiences of four people engaged in decision making around writing instruction in a single district over the past six years. Dr. David co-presented with Dr. Susan Diaz, executive director of secondary education; Allison Dunsmore, English language arts teacher; and Heathcliff Lopez, English language arts teacher, all from North East ISD in San Antonio.

“Most people can agree that people who write well are bound to succeed in school, college and the workplace. Over the last six years, I have worked with North East ISD to create professional development for K-12 teachers to support student-centered writing instruction across the district,” said Dr. David. “By writing for real purposes and audiences about topics they are interested in, students become proficient and passionate writers. North East ISD serves 64,000 students and the opportunity to be in dialogue with the district and their teachers in this work has been an incredible privilege. I’m excited to share their story at NCTE this year.” 

Dr. David is a teacher educator who prepares students in the Teacher Education Program to teach in middle and high school. She is a teacher-consultant with the National Writing Project. She presents at national conferences, conducts professional development workshops for teachers and is the co-director of the San Antonio Writing Project. Dr. David was nominated for the Presidential Teaching Award and received the Faculty Endowment Research Award at UIW. She is the curriculum coordinator for Called and Consecrated: An online curriculum exploring women religious. The project was funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation which seeks to increase the visibility of Catholic women religious.

Dr. Andriy Batchinsky, director of Translational Medicine with the School of Osteopathic Medicine, is the principal investigator of a project that studies the thrombus deposition and its morphology on extracorporeal life support (ECLS) circuitry using the Scanning Electron Microscope located at UIW in the Bonilla Science Hall. Dr. Batchinsky is also a research scientist with the Geneva Foundation and the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research. Dr. Sreedevi Ande, professor of Engineering, is the co-investigator on the project.

Modern ECLS devices require systemic heparinization, a therapeutic practice necessary to prevent blood clotting when passing through the ECLS circuitry. Heparin administration is problematic, as it can lead to severe bleeding episodes in trauma patients, many of whom are already bleeding. The purpose of Ande’s research study is to develop a new treatment for combat casualties with Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome using ECLS without systemic heparinization. One of the bioengineering tools to assess the extent of clot formation on the blood-contacting surfaces in these life support devices is scanning electron microscopy.

This research is supported by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. The co-principal investigator is Dr. Teryn Roberts, also a research scientist with the Geneva Foundation.

University Mission and Ministry invites you to attend our weekly Sunday Morning Prayers. While we cannot gather in-person to celebrate the Sunday Eucharist in Our Lady’s Chapel or the Chapel of the Incarnate Word, we can gather virtually and unite our prayers of petition during this celebration of the Liturgy of the Word. The service will be held on Zoom. The platform will open at 10:45 a.m. for an opportunity to greet one another before prayer. We hope you’ll be able to join us! For more information, please contact Lena Gokelman or Carmen Aguilera at ministry@uiwtx.edu or (210) 832-3207.

RSVP to receive a Zoom link to 11/22 Prayer Service

Holy Spirit, open my eyes and calm my mind. Give me the recollection of the Father’s love, of the Son’s unceasing prayer, of the world as God’s world and of your own presence within me.

Holy Spirit, give me Faith. Holy Spirit, reveal to me the truth of the Father’s unfailing purposes, of the Son’s victory and risen presence; the truth about myself – sinner yet child beloved of God.

Holy Spirit, give me Hope. Holy Spirit, give me Peace; peace with God and peace with people. Kindle my desire for you. Strengthen my will to live and serve. Teach me and lead me where you will.

Holy Spirit, Give me love.

Amen. 

The University of the Incarnate Word is proud to announce that Dr. Arturo Chávez has accepted the position of Associate Vice President for Mission & Ministry and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Dr. Chávez will work toward advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at UIW and will also oversee the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability. 

Dr. Chávez is already a longtime UIW faculty member in the Religious Studies department. Since 2007, Chávez has served as the president at the Mexican American Catholic College. There, he also served as a faculty member and helped develop the college’s curricula on intercultural competencies and the roots of racism. He also served as the Chief Executive Officer and director of Community Development of the Benedictine Resources Center, a nonprofit organization engaged in social justice education, community development and legislation, also located in San Antonio.

“I am honored to join the UIW team,” says Chávez. “Even during this chaotic time of pandemic and racial/political unrest, UIW’s commitment to the sanctity of life and human dignity shines brightly and gives hope. As an alum and longtime partner, the mission of the Sisters and UIW is alive in my heart and has formed my personal leadership style in ministry. I believe the incarnational view of creation and humanity is needed now more than ever to foster integral education, conversion of hearts, and strategic systemic change.”

Chávez has had a long and illustrious career in the fields of social services, social justice and higher education. He was the founding member of JOVEN, a nonprofit community-based organization providing outreach and community services for at-risk youth, with a center on the Eastside of San Antonio called UTOTO. His efforts primarily focused on the needs of the poor and the marginalized. In 2009, Chávez’s efforts were recognized by President Obama when he was appointed to the White House Council on Faith-based Partnerships. He worked with a racially diverse group of 24 leaders representing every major faith tradition to strengthen ways that the U.S. Government can partner with nonprofits and faith communities to address poverty, racism, threats to the environment, access to healthcare and other issues of common concern. In 2010, the Catholic Charities USA recognized Chávez with the MLK “Keep the Dream Alive Award” for his efforts to combat racism.

Chávez received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from UIW and a Master of Arts degree in Theological studies from the Oblate School of Theology. He received the Ph.D. in Religious and Theological Studies from the Iliff School of Theology and the University of Denver’s joint Ph.D. program in Religion and Social Change. His doctoral studies centered on religion and social change, focusing on how racism can be deconstructed through courageous leadership and community organizing. He was mentored by wise veterans of the African American and Indigenous Peoples’ civil rights movements. UIW recognized Chávez with the Alumni of Distinction Award in 2008.

Chávez has several publications and media presentations related to diversity, equity and inclusion and is a nationally recognized expert and consultant on these areas. He has also facilitated workshops on intercultural understanding around the world. He brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm to work with each of us to develop the diversity, equity and inclusion program at UIW.

This year's, all-new Light the Way Holiday Drive is officially SOLD OUT!

Only guests with a Light the Way: Holiday Drive event ticket and student residents with a residential pass will be allowed onto campus on event days (Nov. 20 - 22) from 6 - 11 p.m. 

Guests must have a ticket to come onto campus (one ticket per vehicle). Only vehicular traffic will be allowed during the event. Visitors without an event ticket will not be permitted on to campus. 

If you missed your chance to grab a ticket, you can still enjoy the twinkling lights throughout the Christmas season. We invite you to visit the Broadway campus from your vehicles from Monday, Nov. 23 through Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

Learn about the Light the Way Holiday Drive

Voices Rising, an online benefit concert, is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. Join Visitation House Ministries (VHM) and Meals on Wheels San Antonio (MOWSA) for a night to remember and enjoy a virtual benefit concert on YouTube! This concert is being presented to raise awareness of, and donations for the hungry and homeless in our city. VHM, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, provides transitional housing and education for women and children that are facing homelessness or abuse, and provides them with a safe place to stay and learn. MOWSA provides nutritious meals, safety checks and companionship for seniors and the disabled who are facing food insecurity. Help support these organizations by attending Voices Rising!

Watch online on YouTube

UIW has partnered with Curative Inc. to provide free, oral swab COVID-19 tests to the UIW and San Antonio communities. On the UIW Broadway and Hildebrand campus, employees and students can receive a test. The general public may schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 test at the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine, located at Brooks. 

Dr. Ronda Gottlieb, UIW director of Clinical Health, spoke with FOX 29 about the new testing capabilities this week. 

Watch the story

Schedule a test

The University community is invited to a South Texas Blood & Tissue Center Blood Drive sponsored by the University of the Incarnate Word and Gordon Hartman Family Foundation on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the SEC Ballroom. 

Donors will have the opportunity to receive community service hours, a UIW T-shirt, a gift card and earn donor points to redeem online.

UIW student and employee blood drive registration

The Department of Alumni and Parent Relations and the Office of Financial Assistance hosted a virtual information session for the UIW Class of 2020. Students were invited to the session to learn more about resources available to students to help them be successful after graduation.

Community Health Education student, Thais Barron, presented her research findings at this year's Virtual Roundtable Discussion at the International Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Dance, and Sport Conference. Barron is a senior in the program and will graduate in May 2021. Ms. Barron's presentation was entitled “Breast Self-Examinations Efficacy as a Result of a Cancer Awareness Campaign." She was the only undergraduate student who presented at the conference.

Dr. Erlinda Lopez-Rodriguez, assistant professor of the Community Health Education program, said of Barron,  “As you can imagine, she was very nervous, but she did great and held her own," said Dr. Lopez-Rodriguez. "She received great feedback from faculty across the United States and Internationally. She was asked some difficult questions but never wavered and responded to each one with confidence. Dr. Mohammad R. Torabie from the School of Public Health at Indiana University was stunned when he found out she was only an undergraduate student, which made her day.”  

Barron has also worked with Dr. Glenn James, vice provost, in developing an instrument for veterans and she plans to have a poster presentation ready for UIW Research Week in the Spring. Ms. Barron has a bright future in public health. She secured an internship with Texas Department of State Health Services within its Health Policy and Human Services Commission for the spring semester.

Congratulations, Thais!

We want to thank Jennifer Staubach Gates, BSN '88 for taking the time to join us for our REDTalk yesterday.  

Jennifer currently serves as a Council Member for District 13 in the City of Dallas. In this presentation, she discusses how her career path and background in nursing led her to serve as a council member of the ninth largest city in the United States. Jennifer looks to instill a message of encouragement for women of all backgrounds to consider public service.  

The Department of Alumni and Parent Relations is now accepting applications for the UIW Alumni Mentor Program. 

The UIW Alumni Mentor Program is designed to cultivate meaningful mentorship opportunities for students and alumni sharing common professional interests. This program seeks to provide valuable support and guidance to student-mentees as they transition from their academic life to professional careers. 

Apply to be a mentor

The University of the Incarnate Word football team is scheduled to travel to Jonesboro, Arkansas, to face Arkansas State University in Centennial Bank Stadium on Dec. 12 in its lone contest of the fall, announced UIW Athletic Director Richard Duran on Monday. 

"I'm excited we were able to work with Arkansas State on lining up this game," said Duran. "I know Coach Morris and the team have been anxiously waiting for the opportunity to play, and this will allow the team to have that chance to compete prior to winter break."   

This is the first matchup in program history between the Cardinals and the Red Wolves. During the 2019 season, UIW won five games, including two over top-25-ranked FCS opponents. The 11 wins under UIW Head Coach Eric Morris (six in 2018 and five in 2019) mark the best two-year stretch in UIW's 11-year history. ASU currently sits at 3-5, including a victory over Kansas on Sept. 12. 

"Our kids are thrilled to be playing this game," added Morris. "It has been hard to sit and watch other teams play this fall, but they understand the reasons from a health and safety standpoint. Now, we feel like we have something to work towards and we can't wait for this opportunity." 

The Cardinals are slated to play a six-game, conference-only schedule for the Spring 2021 season, featuring three home games – Sam Houston on Feb. 20, Southeastern Louisiana on March 20, and Northwestern State on April 10 – and three games on the road – at McNeese on Feb. 27, at Lamar on March 6 and at Nicholls on March 27. 

Archive photo

Nine former members of the University of the Incarnate Word men's and women's swimming & diving team were named to the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association's (CCSA) 2010-19 All-Decade Team. Kali Lents (2012-2015), Hector Ruvalcaba Cruz (2016-2020), Dawson Martinez (2016-2020), David Moore (2013-2017), Aaron Moran (2014-2019), Beau Fusilier (2015-2019), Leonardo Sanchez (2018-2020), Kyrylo Shvets (2015-2018) and Oleksander Karpenko (2018-2020) were all named to the list, as announced by the league on Monday. 

Joining the decorated student-athletes, is second-year Assistant Coach Gracie Redding for her collegiate career as a swimmer at Florida Gulf Coast. 

To be named to the all-decade team, individuals must have competed for at least two years in the decade as a CCSA student-athlete. Exceptions were made for NCAA All-Americans. 

Individuals who obtained one of the following criteria were named to the team: Three first team all-conference selections in a single event, five total first team all-conference selections (including relays), multiple Superlative Award winner, NCAA Championship individual participant. 

Over the course of the past ten years, Head Coach Phillip Davis has led the Cardinals to four CCSA Championships on the men's side, the most of any team in the league. The eight men named to the All-Decade list have been named to first team all-conference accolades a combined 55 times. Those eight have also been named Most Outstanding Swimmer/Diver of the Championship a combined six times. Additional honors include two Freshman of the Year, one Swimmer of the Year and 14 Swimmer of the Week awards. On the women's side, Lents was named Diver of the Year and Most Outstanding Diver of the Championship twice, as well as diver of the week five times. 

Davis on Kali Lents – "What an amazing talent, and she is the standard for which we compare all of our diving recruiting efforts. I think she had an unusual calmness in the most intense situations, and she really knew how to get the most out of her ability. Still searching for the next Kali." 

Davis on Hector Ruvalcaba Cruz – "He will be remembered all over the country as one of the best UIW has ever produced. Not only has he represented Mexico, and UIW, all over the world, he opened the door for an expanded recruiting effort in Mexico. Because of his and his family's character and love for the sport, opportunities for UIW to extend our recruiting reach into Mexico has been amazing." 

Davis on Dawson Martinez  – “Dawson Martinez was a force for UIW for four years. No matter where we went, or who we competed against, we always had a shot to win with Dawson. He had a huge target on his back every time he got on the board. He was the standard, and time and time again I watched it come down to one final dive, and Dawson never disappointed." 

Davis on David Moore – "Possibly the most talented swimmer I have ever been blessed to coach. He made the incredibly hard seem easy time and time again. He always seemed to keep things light. I remember at Olympic Trials in 2016, everyone was sitting in the ready room waiting to go out on the biggest stage ever. They were all so tense and nervous. But David just looks around and says out loud, 'don't worry guys, we are gonna survive.' That was David. No telling how many pool records he broke for UIW on our travels around the country." 

Davis on Aaron Moran – "When you speak to your teams at the beginning of each year about how you want them to work hard, master their craft, do their best in the classroom, believe in themselves, be the best teammate they can be, well, Aaron is that guy! His actions day in and day out demanded your respect in our program. He was a skilled swimmer, a real artist when it came to every event he swam. Won so many races for us, and he won the 200 Back three of his four years at the CCSA Championships. Incredible leader."

Davis on Beau Fusilier – "One of the fiercest competitors I have ever coached. He had a knack for just challenging teammates in practice and that made all of them better. He was a very goal driven student-athlete who pushed himself in and out of the water. Team was always very important to Beau, and he never once complained about any event I picked for him to swim. He was ALWAYS ready!" 

Davis on Leonardo Sanchez – "One of my all-time favorite stories. UIW was a second chance for Leo and he didn't waste a single second of it. When I think about what Leo accomplished here for us, I can't help but smile. He found his way on our record board in two events. His love for the sport is still strong as he has not stopped training and is still competing. I'm so proud of Leo and have so much respect for him." 

Davis on Kyrylo Shvets  – "Often times coaches refer to their athletes as soldiers or warriors. That would accurately describe Kyrylo. This man brought it every single day of practice. He never took a day off, even when he had every legit reason to. And for a guy who swims all the hardest things, that is the right mentality. Some of my favorite memories of Kyrylo are the races that brought a smile to his face. Because that made it all worth it for me too." 

Davis on Oleksandr Karpenko  – "Oleksandr was a guy you wish you could keep on your team forever. Sometimes you take guys for granted because they make it look so easy to always just win a race. He was a critical and crucial part of every medley relay from the moment he stepped on campus. Another guy that, regardless of what Power 5 team we swam against, he was going to have a shot to beat their best guy. And he did many times. I can't remember him ever getting anything below an A-average in every class he took at UIW. I was very blessed to have him call me coach."  

The University of the Incarnate Word continues to monitor the local, regional and state-wide progression of COVID-19 to inform decisions about safe campus operations. Below you will find links to helpful information regarding UIW's COVID-19 warning indicators, case tracking, safety guidelines and resources for the UIW community. These sites will be updated to reflect changes or new information.

Cardinal Daily Health Check

COVID-19 Information Site

COVID-19 Case Updates

Cardinal Flight Plan 

Schedule a COVID-19 on the Broadway campus (students and employees ONLY)

Schedule a COVID-19 at the UIWSOM campus (open to general public)