First stop on president’s listening tour: Cizik School of Nursing
(Photo by UTHealth Houston)
One by one, students shared what makes them proud to be learning at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston and what could make their educational journey even better.
“I’m proud of our extracurricular resources — the peer tutoring and the Power of Nursing course that is developing us to become better nurses,” said Sandra Eikel, one of the students who gathered in the school’s auditorium on Monday, Nov. 10, for a conversation with UTHealth Houston President and Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair Melina Kibbe, MD.
Kibbe listened intently as students described their confidence in walking into clinical settings fully prepared. She heard about the school’s culture of support, scholarship opportunities, and ideas for expanding the curriculum at one of the top nursing schools in the U.S.
The visit on Nov. 4 marked the first stop on Kibbe’s university-wide listening tour to deepen her understanding of each school, meet the many faces of UTHealth Houston, and hear directly how she can best support their success in advancing the institution’s mission.
Cizik School of Nursing Dean Diane Santa Maria, DrPH, MSN, RN, welcomed Kibbe and introduced her to students. Together, they listened as the students shared candid reflections on their educational experiences, aspirations, and the impact of their training.
“It’s important that I get to know all of you, and it’s very important to hear from you so that I know how I can best support your success,” Kibbe told the students.
The visit also included a guided tour of the school’s innovative learning environments, beginning with the Nurse Anesthesia Simulation Center and the Simulation and Clinical Performance Lab. At the Smart Apartment — a living lab designed to test and refine solutions that improve the health, safety, and independence of aging adults — Kibbe even met a robot that could help people live independently for longer. These immersive experiences highlighted the school’s commitment to preparing students, advancing research, and improving care and quality of life for patients.
The tour concluded with a thoughtful conversation with more than 60 faculty members, who shared insights into maintaining excellence, elevating the school’s profile, strengthening clinical partnerships, fostering interprofessional collaboration, and advocating for the nursing profession.
In the months ahead, Kibbe plans to continue her listening tour across UTHealth Houston’s six other schools and several clinical locations — reinforcing her commitment to connection, transparency, and shared purpose.
