News & Events

Upcoming & Recent Events

Ghana Study Abroad Opportunity

Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine in partnership with Humana Institute is planning a study abroad trip to Accra, Ghana. From 7/5/2025 to 7/13/2025, College of Medicine students will collaborate with University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) students and faculty to provide patient care in underserved communities. This experience will foster cross-cultural medical learning, enhance clinical skills in resource-limited settings, and strengthen partnerships between Fertitta College of Medicine and UGMS. Students will work alongside local health care professionals to address community health needs while gaining valuable insights into global health challenges and solutions.

Community Conversations: Climate and Mental Health

On June 5, 2025, the University of Houston’s Humana Institute hosted a town hall to address the mental health impacts of recurring natural disasters in Houston. The event featured a gallery walk showcasing personal stories from residents in underserved communities followed by a panel discussion with community leaders and experts. Topics included disaster preparedness, mental health care access, and the importance of integrating emotional resilience into recovery efforts. The event emphasized the need for comprehensive support systems to strengthen both physical and psychological resilience in the face of extreme weather events.

Mental Health First Aid Training

The Humana Institute offers Mental Health First Aid Training which teaches community members to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges amongst adults. This program is offered in English and Spanish for residents of Greater Third Ward, Greater Fifth Ward or Kashmere Gardens.

Highlights

UH Researchers Developing AI Tools to Improve Health Behaviors and Outcomes

The National Institutes of Health has awarded a team of researchers at the University of Houston a $500,000 grant to leverage artificial intelligence in improving health behaviors and outcomes in underserved communities. The groundbreaking project is led by Dr. Winston Liaw, chair of the Health Systems and Population Health Sciences department at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. He and a multidisciplinary research team from the Fertitta College of Medicine and Cullen College of Engineering will develop and study AI applications aimed at facilitating behavior changes and reducing health disparities.