Dear Friends:

Many of you have probably heard that we’re investigating the viability of opening a medical school at UIW.

The question I’ve been asked repeatedly since this process began last summer is, “Why?” It’s true that starting a medical school from scratch is an intricate and highly expensive proposition. It’s fair to say that if we do open a medical school, it would be the most complex task most of us have ever undertaken at UIW.

Why, then, are we even considering a medical school? The answer is rooted in our 132-year history. In other words, “Mission drives vision.”

From early on, health care has been an integral part of Incarnate Word. For example, we have the oldest accredited nursing program west of the Mississippi River, and today, UIW nurses are found throughout Bexar County in hospitals, clinics and in many other settings.

During the last decade, we’ve developed the most comprehensive academic health care programs of any private university in Texas through the addition of doctoral programs in pharmacy, optometry, nursing and physical therapy. Plus, we launched the world’s first center devoted to medical tourism research, something of growing importance given our proximity to Mexico. And we’re looking at starting a physician assistant program in the near future.

In fact, our health care programs have expanded to the point that we’re in the process of bringing them together under a separate UIW Health Science Center.

A medical school would be a natural extension of our health care programs.

There’s currently just one private medical school in the southwestern U.S., the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston (which hasn’t been affiliated with Baylor University since 1969). A UIW medical school would be the only one in our part of the country located at a faith-based university. Its focus would likely be on two areas of critical need in San Antonio and South Texas – pediatric and emergency care.

Opening a medical school would also allow us to meet another important part of our mission – providing access and opportunities to populations historically underserved by higher education. Sadly, Hispanics and African Americans are severely underrepresented as physicians in the U.S., much like they are in just about every other health care field. The students of a UIW medical school would reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of Texas, where Hispanics and African Americans now make-up about half of the state’s population.

We’ll keep you posted on whether a medical school ends up being a fit for UIW.

In the meantime, let me close by taking this opportunity to bid farewell to Board members Alan Dreeben and Fully Clingman, who stepped down as active Trustees and have moved to Emeriti status. Both have been exemplary Trustees in their advocacy of UIW, and have also been instrumental in all that we’ve accomplished in the last few years. Please join me in thanking them for their outstanding service, although I reminded them they’ll always be on speed dial.

I encourage you to read the rest of this issue to catch-up on what else has been happening at Incarnate Word, including a profile on Board of Trustees member Joe Reyes.

Please remember, it’s because of your commitment to our community that we can continue fulfilling UIW’s goal of offering students the best possible educational opportunities within a context of faith. An investment in higher education is something that will yield returns for a lifetime for you, your family and our community.

Special blessings on you and your loved ones throughout 2013.

Best Wishes,

Louis J. Agnese Jr., Ph.D.

President

Students from UIW’s Feik School of Pharmacy take a moment to enjoy the lights at UIW’s 26th Annual Light the Way event held Nov. 17.

On Saturday, Nov. 17 nearly 7,500 guests joined UIW President Dr. Louis J. Agnese, Jr. at the Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium for the 26th Annual Light the Way event, A Miracle on Broadway. Dr. Agnese officially kicked off the holiday season by flipping the switch and illuminating the campus in nearly a million twinkling lights and setting off a fireworks display to end the show. He was assisted by Congressman Henry Cuellar, his daughter Christi and H-E-B’s Director of Public Affairs Dya Campos. The campus lighting was the final event in a fun-filled evening sponsored by H-E-B.

In addition to Cuellar and Campos, special guests for the evening included T-Bone from the San Antonio Rampage, Red the Cardinal and the ever favorite Santa and Mrs. Claus who entered the stadium on a horse drawn carriage accompanied by angels from the elementary schools of UIW’s Brainpower Connection. Emcees for the evening were KSAT 12 anchors Ursula Pari and Steve Spriester.

The audience enjoyed special performances by UIW’s Chorale and Cardinal Marching Band as well as choirs from Incarnate Word High School, St. Anthony Catholic School and St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic School. The St. Anthony Catholic High School jazz band with featured singer Sarah Centeno also entertained the crowd along with headliner Tejano music legend Patsy Torres and jazz crooner Ken Slavin who performed a duo reminiscent of a classic Christmas.

After the official switch was flipped, Mariachi Las Coronelas led a candlelight procession through campus to UIW’s Dubuis Lawn for a complimentary reception hosted by H-E-B. The campus was open for self-guided tours through Jan. 6 and an additional 2000 guests visited the campus over the holiday period.

Larry Kennan, Cardinal football head coach, and Kim Harle, H-E-B public affairs, display one of the turkeys given during the giveaway.

As the fall semester came to a close, UIW and H-E-B joined together to provide students with a tasty gift to take home to their families. On Dec. 13, as a special gift of thanks from UIW President Dr. Louis Agnese and the university, turkeys were given away on campus to the first 1000 full-time undergraduate students who responded to an email invitation. Faculty, administrators, staff, and H-E-B representatives were on-site to distribute the turkeys and bid students farewell for the holidays.

The UIW student turkey holiday giveaway was phase 2 of UIW’s 2012 holiday bonus awards. Turkeys were also distributed to Sodexo and ARAMARK employees. Despite current economic conditions, UIW was proud to note that this year UIW distributed over 770 H-E-B gift cards to current full-time employees who were employed before June 1, 2012. An annual holiday bonus has been awarded to full-time university employees since 2008.

Guitarist Jackie King (seated far left) performs with the UIW Jazz Ensemble, John Magaldi’s Prime Time Jazz Orchestra, Butch Miles, John Panzarella, and Jim Waller during “A Night of Jazz on Broadway.”

On Dec. 6, the UIW Music Department and KRTU Radio presented “A Night of Jazz on Broadway” featuring guitar legend Jackie King in UIW’s Fine Arts Auditorium. The event brought together many truly talented and accomplished musicians who love to create music for the sheer joy it provides audiences and themselves. Proceeds benefited the UIW Fine Arts Campaign.

The night included performances from King, who has performed and recorded with such renowned artists as Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, and Tony Bennett to name a few. The night also featured performances from the UIW Jazz Ensemble, the only local university jazz ensemble to perform at Montreux Jazz Festival; John Magaldi’s Prime Time Jazz Orchestra, celebrating their 10th anniversary performing in South Texas; and drummer Butch Miles who has played with Frank Sinatra, David Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and 17 years with Count Basie. Other performances included vocalist John Panzarella, a member of the UIW Jazz Ensemble and Prime Time Jazz Orchestra; and Jim Waller, instructor of music and director of the UIW Jazz Ensemble. A grand finale culminated the evening with all the performers sharing the stage for several traditional jazz numbers.

In addition to performing at the event, King conducted a Music Business Workshop on campus. For his complete biography, visit www.uiwjazz.com/jackie_bio.html.

To learn more about the UIW music department, visit http://www.uiw.edu/music/.

To view information about Jim Waller, visit www.uiw.edu/music/waller.html.

]]> http://www.uiw.edu/thewordonline/2013/03/uiw-music-department-hosts-a-night-of-jazz-on-broadway/feed/ 0 http://www.uiw.edu/thewordonline/2013/03/uiw-awarded-funding-for-university-wide-initiative/ http://www.uiw.edu/thewordonline/2013/03/uiw-awarded-funding-for-university-wide-initiative/#comments Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:23:55 +0000 Brance Arnold http://www.uiw.edu/thewordonline/?p=5377 [continue reading...]]]> UIW and the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions received federal funding to support a university-wide initiative in developing an Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) model of health care. This initiative will be used in a primary health care setting on San Antonio’s Eastside. The award is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions, and the Division of Nursing. Twenty-four projects were funded across the country; only two in Texas.

The Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) Program-Interprofessional Collaborative Practice is a three-year cooperative agreement. It provides funds to support the development of safe, efficient, effective and equitable healthcare in collaborative practice environments.

This year is viewed as a pilot program with initial participation from nursing, optometry, pharmacy, and healthcare administration. “Our collaborating community partner is CommuniCare Health Centers of San Antonio. Initially, our UIW Faculty IPE Practice Team will be developing a model of care coordination with staff of the Dr. Frank Bryant Health Center. We will then move to the new UIW Eye Care and Health Center,” said Dr. Mary Elaine Jones, UIW IPE initiative project director. The Dr. Frank Bryant Health Center, located at CommuniCare’s East Campus, provides health services to San Antonio’s Eastside.

Approximately 750 students participated in the Fall 2012 Commencement ceremony at Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum held Sunday, Dec. 16.

UIW conferred degrees to graduates at a commencement ceremony held Dec. 16 in the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum. The commencement honored over 900 students who completed their undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees either in August or at the end of the fall semester. Approximately 750 students participated in the ceremony.

The commencement speaker was UIW’s Moody Professor Dr. Sally Said. She joined Incarnate Word in 1988, where she has served as chair and co-chair of the modern languages department for 15 of the last 24 years and as an officer and senator of the Faculty Senate for 16 years. Said received the Mulcahy Award for Ecological Stewardship in 2010, in part for work helping to found the Headwaters Coalition; the Mother Columkille Colbert Award for Service in 2006; and the CCVI Spirit Award in 2011 in recognition of her service to the university and wider community.

The 2012 Alumna of Distinction for Professional Achievement, Gloria Berumen Kelly ’76 BA, was also presented at the ceremony. Kelly joined Roy Maas’ Youth Alternatives, Inc. (RMYA) as business manager and found her passion – helping children in crisis. She became RMYA’s executive director in 1994 and has served as CEO since 1998.

In addition, Dr. Gilberto Hinojosa, professor of history, was honored with emeritus recognition. Hinojosa joined UIW in 1993, serving as dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Later, as dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, he worked with faculty from the School of Education to restructure the doctoral program. He plans to continue teaching at UIW part-time, pursuing his research interests, and serving the university community.

A crowd of nearly 200 attended the dinner including most of the players along with family and guests. UIW President Dr. Louis J. Agnese and Head Coach Larry Kennan spoke before the players were introduced.

Prior to the dinner, the players gathered in the Benson Field House to meet and greet and to sign a large poster which is displayed outside of the locker room entryway. An official plaque was also dedicated to the players at the event and is on display in the Benson Field House.

Dr. Louis J. Agnese, Jr., speaks during the “Forever First” dinner held in Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center on Friday, Nov. 9. An official plaque commemorating the team is displayed on stage.

Sgt. James Jones, UIW student veteran, speaks to the community during the Veterans Day Ceremony. Jones said his decision to attend UIW was inspired by the Mission of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

At a ceremony held on Nov. 8, UIW honored those who have served our country at the university’s 10th Annual Veterans Day ceremony.

UIW is home to approximately 1300 veteran students that are active duty, veterans or dependents using federal tuition assistance (TA) or VA benefits. The annual Veterans Day ceremony is an opportunity for UIW student veterans and their families to share insights on how their experience of military service blends with the university’s Mission of service.

UIW students Sgt. James Jones and Maj. Andrew Montoya served as speakers for the event. After four years of exemplary enlisted service, Jones was honored with acceptance to the Army’s Green to Gold program, which provides an ROTC scholarship leading to his commissioning after graduation. Jones is currently working toward his Bachelor of Business Administration in general business. Montoya is active duty and is a doctoral student working toward a Ph.D. in organizational leadership.

Special guests for the event were Col. Vincent T. Simmons, assistant chief of staff, Support G4 U.S. Army South; G4 Sgt. Maj. Malik Shabazz, U.S. Army South; Lt. Col. Lewis Carpenter, deputy chief of plans, Support G4, U.S. Army South; and Maj. David Steele, current operations, U.S. Army South.

In celebration of the event’s 10th anniversary, a commemorative coin was designed and unveiled. The coin was given as a gift to all in attendance. The two-sided coin has an American Flag design on one side showing 22 stars honoring the 22 million living American veterans with five red stripes below, one for each branch of the armed services. The opposite side features the UIW logo.

A formal presentation of the Flag Folding Ceremony was included in the day’s events to share the heritage and history of what this important ceremony represents. For the first time, UIW students also hosted a “Toys for Tots” collection during the event. “Toys for Tots” is a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve sponsored program.

Following the ceremony, an honor wreath was placed on the lawn of the Brackenridge Villa on the UIW campus.

Dr. Louis J. Agnese stirs spaghetti sauce in Marian Hall in preparation for this year’s annual President’s Spaghetti Dinner.

It was an Italian Christmas at UIW as President Dr. Louis J. Agnese, Jr. hosted his 27th annual Spaghetti Dinner for all UIW students on Dec. 5 in the McCombs Center Rosenberg Sky Room.

The President’s Spaghetti Dinner is the university’s yearly way of saying “thank you” to students who make UIW such a unique and special place. Over 900 students enjoyed Dr. Agnese’s delicious family recipe with the ambiance of a five-star dining experience; it marked the largest turnout in the history of the dinner.

UIW faculty, staff and administrators volunteered to host, serve food and bus tables. Prior to the event, 47 faculty, staff and administrators helped prepare for the dinner by rolling 170 pounds of meat into 2,960 meatballs. The evening included live musical entertainment by James Waller, professor of music, and his talented jazz band colleagues.

“With just one private optometry office available to serve the Eastside of San Antonio, this clinic will not only provide necessary medical treatment to San Antonians, it will also give an opportunity for students to complete their medical practice requirements,” Cuellar said. “The grant is helping to alleviate 11 percent of the total project cost – bringing taxpayer dollars back home for a project that is centered on serving the community.”

The public facility will increase access to health care for residents of the inner city by providing professional eye care services to the community. UIW is constructing a three-story, 30,000 square-foot center that will serve 25,000 patients yearly. When fully operational, the facility will create and sustain an estimated 40 to 50 new jobs.

RSO Dean Dr. Andrew Buzzelli; U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX-21); U.S.
Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28); President Dr. Louis Agnese; UIW Grant
Writer Armando Saliba; EDA Regional Director Pedro Garza; and UIW Director of
Foundation, Corporate & Government Relations Robert Sosa display a check for
$1 million awarded to UIW by the Economic Development Administration (EDA)
during a press conference held on Oct. 31.

“There is a significant need for this facility in this part of San Antonio,” said Agnese. “Some of the diseases that can destroy vision such as diabetes and glaucoma are over-represented in areas like the Eastside. So we’re very appreciative of the efforts of Congressmen Cuellar and Smith in making this critically-needed center a reality for San Antonio.”

Patients will be served by licensed eye care doctors and interns from the RSO. In addition, UIW will partner with St. Philip’s College to assist in training students and increasing the number of nearby residents qualified to serve as ophthalmic technicians. Future doctors will also be able to train at the facility. An estimated one-fourth of the 65 graduates yearly will remain in the area to practice.

“Vision problems make it harder for kids to learn in school and eye infections, if left untreated, can lead to permanent vision loss. The facility will help San Antonio residents get much-needed eye care regardless of their ability to pay. And this federal grant will ensure that the doors are open sooner and residents have access to eye care faster,” said Smith.