Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Nurse Practitioner Jessica Gomez honored in Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses
[Adapted from Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses honors six from UTHealth Houston (external link)]
UTHealth Houston was well represented at the 26th annual Salute to Nurses Luncheon and Reception. (Photo by UTHealth Houston)
Compassion, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to patient care took center stage April 29 as the Houston Chronicle awarded six nurses from UTHealth Houston for going above and beyond in patient care during its 26th annual Salute to Nurses Luncheon and Reception.
Held at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, the event brought together hospital leaders, medical educators, and distinguished nurses from across the Greater Houston area. The annual celebration, driven by nominations from readers, recognizes nurses who go above and beyond in delivering compassionate, high-quality care to their patients and communities.
This year’s luncheon highlighted the Top 200 nurses selected from hundreds of community-submitted nominations, with honorees recognized for excellence in clinical practice, leadership, education, and service.
UTHealth Houston was well represented among this year’s honorees, with six nurses recognized for their contributions across clinical care, education, and behavioral health: among them was Jessica Gomez, a nurse practitioner in the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Division.
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston honoree
Jessica Gomez, PhD, APRN, NNP-BC, serves as a neonatal nurse practitioner and nurse scientist at McGovern Medical School, where she also contributes as an advanced practice provider education coordinator and an instructor in the Department of Pediatrics. Her work bridges clinical care, research, and education to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable patients.
Gomez has extensive experience in neonatal intensive care, providing advanced clinical care at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and previously serving as a registered nurse in Level III and IV neonatal intensive care units. Her research focuses on the role of human milk in improving health outcomes for preterm infants, with an emphasis on supporting lactation for mothers experiencing separation from their newborns.
An accomplished scholar, Gomez has led and contributed to multiple research studies, secured grant funding, and published in leading peer-reviewed journals in neonatal and perinatal care. She earned her doctoral degree from Cizik School of Nursing and has been recognized with numerous honors, including national research awards and distinctions for excellence in neonatal nursing and education.
Read about additional honorees (external link)