Press Releases

Henderson, Texas (December 13, 2021) — Surprises weren’t in short supply with the arrival of the first baby born in December at UT Health Henderson.

Mother Meagan Neal said she was shocked and thrilled when nurses brought her a hand-sewn stocking embroidered with the UT Health East Texas logo, a keepsake all newborns will go home with in the month of December.

“It was so adorable when they brought that to me,” Neal said. “I was expecting her to come after Christmas, so it was just perfect.”

Tyler, Texas (December 7, 2021) — Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, UT Health North Campus Tyler was named a Top Teaching Hospital nationally by The Leapfrog Group. Announced today, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive.

Tyler, Texas (November 10, 2021) — UT Health Tyler and UT Health North Campus Tyler maintained an ‘A’ rating and UT Health Henderson received its first ‘A’ in the fall 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing the hospitals’ achievements protecting patients from harm and error in the hospital.

This is the third consecutive A rating of UT Health Tyler and the seventh consecutive A rating for UT Health North Campus Tyler.

Tyler, Texas (November 4, 2021) — Following the CDC’s approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, UT Health East Texas is prepared to begin administering vaccines to children starting Friday, Nov. 5.

“Vaccinating children is an important next step in bringing this deadly virus under control,” said Dr. Tom Cummins, division chief medical officer for UT Health East Texas. “The vaccine is safe and effective for this age range and I encourage parents to protect their children through vaccination.”

Tyler, Texas (October 21, 2021) — UT Health East Texas Rehabilitation Center was recognized for 25 years of membership in the Texas Hospital Association.

UT Health Rehabilitation Center Administrator Laurie Lehnhof-Watts, MSN, RN, said the employees who have worked at the facility since its inception are crucial to UT Health Rehabilitation Center’s 25 years of service to the community. “It is a testament to our wonderful team and sense of belonging that many employees feel,” she said.

ARBOR, MI, October 20, 2021 – The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is pleased to announce that UT Health East Texas acute care and ambulatory facilities have both earned 2021 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired recognition as a certi

UT Health East Texas has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines^®- Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

Tyler, Texas (September 24, 2021) — Hali Mahaffey, a senior exercise specialist and programs coordinator with UT Health East Texas Olympic Center Tyler, was named a Rising Star Award Winner from the Medical Fitness Association.

The Rising Star Award is presented to an individual for outstanding achievement and significant leadership within the medical fitness community. The individual demonstrates exemplary interest in their medical fitness facility, members and community.

UT Health East Texas has partnered with TheraNow to provide telemedicine and remote physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment to patients throughout East Texas.

Austin, Texas (July 26, 2021) — Texas Healthcare Trustees presented the Advocate of the Year Award to Paul W. Detwiler, M.D., immediate past chair of the board of trustees of UT Health Tyler. This honor is bestowed to a hospital board member who displays outstanding advocacy efforts on behalf of a hospital or health system.

“This is a much deserved award for Paul. He’s done so much for our region, for our community, for our university,” said Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun, chairman of the board of UT Health East Texas and president of The University of Texas at Tyler.