President visits McGovern Medical School during listening tour
President Melina R. Kibbe, MD, continued her university-wide listening tour with a dynamic, standing-room-only visit to McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston on Dec. 8, where she joined LaTanya Love, MD, dean of McGovern Medical School, for an open and candid town hall conversation.
The session brought together students, trainees, faculty, and staff eager to share their perspectives on the school’s strengths, opportunities, and aspirations.
Kibbe opened by emphasizing the purpose of her tour: to meet people where they are and hear what matters most to those who learn, teach, and work across Houston’s Health University. “I want to hear from you,” she said. “Tell me what you’re proud of, tell me what you’re concerned about, and tell me what opportunities you see for us to grow.”
Love echoed that spirit of collaboration, noting the pride she feels in the medical school’s people-first culture. “We’re one school, one team, and we want to hear from everyone in this room,” she said.
Celebrating strengths — and surfacing opportunities
Across the hour-long conversation, attendees spoke passionately about what makes McGovern Medical School distinctive: its supportive and collaborative environment, its academic rigor, and its commitment to serving Houston’s communities.
Kibbe highlighted what she has observed across the university in her first months as president. “The people are the heart and soul of UTHealth Houston,” she said. “Everywhere I go, I see dedicated students, faculty, and staff.”
In response to a question about institutional priorities, Kibbe emphasized the importance of aligning goals across departments and schools. “We have to make sure we’re rowing in the same direction,” she said.
Creating clearer pathways for advancement
One of the strongest threads woven through the discussion centered on professional growth. Faculty and staff spoke about how deeply they care for the institution and how they want to see clearer, more consistent pathways to advance within it.
Kibbe emphasized that clarity is not a luxury but a necessity. “People need to know what the expectations are,” she said. She shared that as she continues her tour across the university, she sees opportunities to reinforce transparency and consistency so that everyone understands how their careers can progress at UTHealth Houston.
Supporting students and trainees
Students used the town hall to reflect on the pressures they face both inside and outside the classroom. They described the rigor of medical training, the realities of burnout, and the need for structures that support wellness without compromising academic excellence.
Love, who has long championed student-centered practices, responded with characteristic empathy. “We want our students to feel supported not just academically, but as people,” she said. For Kibbe, these insights added another layer to what she has heard across the university: that student well-being and success remain at the heart of the institution’s mission.
Matthew Kianpour, a first-year student at McGovern Medical School, attended the town hall listening tour because of his interest in academic medicine and leadership. “This felt very personal and that my voice was heard,” Kianpour said.
Enhancing resources and infrastructure
Questions about infrastructure, from clinical space to technology to long-term planning, surfaced as attendees talked about where they teach, learn, and deliver care. Many expressed pride in what McGovern Medical School has accomplished with the resources at hand, while also noting where modernization or expansion could unlock new possibilities.
Kibbe framed these concerns within the broader lens of institutional stewardship. She emphasized that thoughtful investment, aligned with the needs of each school and clinical partner, is key to strengthening both the academic and clinical mission. “We have an obligation to provide an environment where all of you can succeed,” she said. For many in attendance, the comment reflected not only a commitment to improvement but an understanding of the realities they navigate daily.
Prior to the town hall, Kibbe was introduced to McGovern Medical School leadership and toured the Surgical and Clinical Skills Center, the gross anatomy lab, and the Learning Resource Center. She also toured the John S. Dunn Helistop at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, where she learned about the history of Life Flight. The tours were led by student ambassadors and student leaders.