2024 Lookback: Top UTHealth Houston stories
Over the past year, UTHealth Houston achieved significant milestones in innovation, research, community health, and education, reinforcing its position as a leader in both the academic and health care sectors.
To highlight these key moments, here are the top stories of 2024.
USA TODAY ranks UTHealth Houston as a best employer in U.S.
UTHealth Houston was recognized as the No. 1 university in the United States among extra-large institutions in the 2024 USA TODAY National Top Workplaces, ranking No. 92 overall for employers with over 2,500 employees. The designation highlighted the university’s exceptional work culture, driven by faculty and staff who prioritize innovation, collaboration, and employee growth. Based on employee feedback from the Energage engagement survey, UTHealth Houston excelled in alignment, empowerment, fairness, and support.
Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston was ranked the No. 1 undergraduate nursing program in Texas for the second year in a row and No. 26 nationally in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings. The program stood out for its strong clinical preparation, innovative teaching models, and a 96% job placement rate for graduates. Offering both accelerated and flexible online options, the school equips students with advanced skills to excel in the evolving field of nursing.
The Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences at UTHealth Houston secured a $55.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, extending funding through 2031 and affirming its leadership in clinical and translational research. Serving over 16 million people across Texas, the center collaborates with multiple institutions to advance patient-focused research, address health inequities, and expand access to clinical trials. With a strong emphasis on mentorship, community engagement, and dissemination of evidence-based practices, the center continues to transform health care and train the next generation of researchers.
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health unveils a new home in Austin
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin unveiled a state-of-the-art facility at 1836 San Jacinto Blvd., designed to be inclusive, sustainable, and flexible. The $20.4 million, 64,959-square-foot space includes classrooms, simulation labs, research facilities, and a teaching kitchen, fostering collaboration and hands-on learning. Featuring environmentally conscious materials and innovative design, the building enhances the school’s mission to promote health in the Austin community while supporting expanded research and education initiatives.
UTHealth Houston ranks among best in U.S. in research funding
UTHealth Houston emerged as a national leader in National Institutes of Health research funding, with three of its schools — Cizik School of Nursing, School of Dentistry, and School of Public Health — ranking No. 1 in Texas, according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. McGovern Medical School also achieved notable rankings, with five departments placing in the top 20 nationally, including neurosurgery and neurology. This success highlighted significant growth in research funding across UTHealth Houston’s institutions, driven by faculty excellence and collaboration.
UTHealth Houston and OpenAI announce groundbreaking collaboration
UTHealth Houston partnered with OpenAI to integrate AI technology into health care and education, providing access to ChatGPT Education while ensuring compliance with HIPAA and FERPA regulations to protect sensitive information. The collaboration aimed to develop AI-driven solutions for enhancing patient care, advancing research, and streamlining operations across the institution. Leaders from both organizations highlighted the initiative’s innovative impact on biomedical informatics and its commitment to privacy and security.
Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center serves 12,000 mental health patients in first two years
Since opening in 2022, the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center at UTHealth Houston, in partnership with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, admitted over 4,000 patients and served more than 8,300 walk-ins, reducing wait times for mental health care in Texas. The facility, funded by HHSC and operated by UTHealth Houston, added 120 competency restoration beds, created 685 jobs, and provided critical training for over 2,000 students to address the state’s mental health workforce shortage. This initiative also laid the foundation for UTHealth Houston’s School of Behavioral Health Sciences, set to expand mental health education and services statewide.
Health fair, UTHealth Houston Half Marathon & 10K provides wellness and fun
The UTHealth Houston Half Marathon & 10K health fair and packet pickup brought together more than 7,000 runners and their families Oct. 25-26, transforming the UTHealth Houston Professional Building-Bellaire Station into a hub of health screenings, wellness activities, and community engagement. Highlights included free health screenings, hands-on CPR training, and booths from UTHealth Houston departments offering information on topics like dermatology and immunology. As title sponsor, UTHealth Houston emphasized its mission to promote health and wellness through its strong partnership with the Houston running community.
Soares named founding dean of UTHealth Houston School of Behavioral Health Sciences
Jair C. Soares, MD, PhD, a renowned educator and physician-scientist, was named the founding dean of UTHealth Houston School of Behavioral Health Sciences, effective Feb. 1, 2024. As the inaugural dean of UTHealth Houston’s seventh school, Soares will focus on building its infrastructure and programs to address critical workforce shortages in mental health care, with the first students expected in fall 2025. He has led UTHealth Houston’s psychiatry department and clinical programs since 2009 and currently oversees the nation’s largest academic behavioral health complex. Under his leadership, the new school will offer innovative degrees, certificate programs, and dual degrees, emphasizing hybrid and online learning to expand educational access.
Thomas wins three gold medals at Paris 2024 Olympics
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health alumna Gabby Thomas, MPH, delivered a performance of a lifetime at the 2024 Summer Olympics, securing a total of three gold medals in Paris. Thomas won the 200m and ran legs on the winning 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams, bringing her career Olympic medal count to five. Beyond her athletic achievements, she highlighted the importance of public health, using her platform to promote health equity and inspire the next generation of athletes and scholars.