2022 UTHealth Houston President’s Awards for Leadership recognize outstanding staff, faculty

Six outstanding members of the UTHealth Houston community earned the prestigious President’s Award for Leadership for their dedication to the university and the people it serves.

The 2022 President’s Awards for Leadership recognize exceptional people from across campus in three categories: classified staff, management/administrative and professional, and faculty. With two awardees in each category, this year’s cohort is the largest to date, speaking to the quality of leadership within the university. Recipients are nominated by co-workers.

"It is a distinct honor to count each of these professionals as part of the many faces who help this university improve health outcomes for our community while educating the next generation of health professionals,” said Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, MD, president of UTHealth Houston and the Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair.

The 2022 honorees are:

• Bijal Balasubramanian, MBBS, PhD, campus dean and The Rockwell Distinguished Chair in Society and Health at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Dallas, co-director of UTHealth Houston Institute for Implementation Science
• Kristina Mena, MSPH, PhD, campus dean and program head of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in El Paso
• Julie Page, CPA, senior associate dean for Clinical Business Affairs at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
• Sujatha Sridhar, MBBS, MCE, associate vice president of Research Compliance at UTHealth Houston
• Rachel Neave, MPH, senior project manager for the Center for Health Care Data at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
• Martha “Kathy” Rodgers, associate director of Academic Administration in the Office of the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at UTHealth Houston

Established in 2006, the annual award honors the late Michael J. Jimenez, former vice president and chief human resources officer at UTHealth Houston.

President’s Award for Leadership: Outstanding Faculty

• Bijal Balasubramanian, MBBS, PhD, campus dean and The Rockwell Distinguished Chair in Society and Health at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Dallas, co-director of UTHealth Houston Institute for Implementation Science
• Kristina Mena, PhD, campus dean and program head of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in El Paso

Bijal Balasubramanian, MBBS, PhD

Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences
The Rockwell Distinguished Chair in Society and Health
Campus Dean, Dallas
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Dallas

Co-Director, UTHealth Houston Institute for Implementation Science

As one of her colleagues and nominators put it, Balasubramanian wears many hats within the School of Public of Health. In addition to her position as regional dean, she is co-director of the Institute of Implementation Science, advisor to more than 20 students, professor of two courses, and is actively working on multiple funded research projects.

The innovative Institute for Implementation Science is already putting UTHealth Houston on the map in this space, wrote one of her supporters for the award.

“Dr. Bala is a tireless advocate for UTHealth Houston in the Dallas-Fort Worth community,” the nominator wrote. “She is literally spreading the word about UTHealth Houston one community partner at a time. As a result, she has created numerous formal and informal partnerships that have benefitted the Dallas campus, the School of Public Health, and UTHealth Houston.”

Balasubramanian’s research program is in enhancing primary health care to enable it to deliver comprehensive, whole-person care to individuals. She is particularly interested in the role primary care teams play in increasing uptake of cancer screening and survivorship care. Balasubramanian’s research training and experience is complemented with her clinical training as a generalist physician.

She brings to the School of Public Health, and the Institute of Implementation Science, her expertise in epidemiology, health services research, and implementation science to bridge the gap between research and practice so that proven and effective innovations are rapidly translated to real-world settings. Because most of her research is among underserved populations served by safety-net settings, her work is highly relevant for eliminating health care disparities that result in inequitable health outcomes.

“My work at UTHealth Houston is about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, and receiving this remarkable recognition has rejuvenated my commitment to my responsibilities at our institution,” Balasubramanian said. “As a regional dean for the past seven years, my primary objective has been to foster a culture where faculty, staff, and students can thrive and succeed in their professional lives. Pursuing this goal gives me a sense of purpose, and I find it deeply gratifying to see that my efforts have had a positive impact.

“In my role as a researcher, I feel incredibly fortunate to work in a collaborative and supportive environment that my colleagues and the university's leaders have created. This has enabled me to contribute positively to the UTHealth Houston mission and pay it forward to grow the next generation of public health professionals.”

Kristina Mena, PhD

Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences
Program Head, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Campus Dean, El Paso
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health

As campus dean of the School of Public Health in El Paso, Kristina Mena, MSPH, PhD, leads a campus serving the health care needs of a population where access to service is critical. She brings more than 30 years of experience in environmental and public health expertise from roles where she worked on projects including securing potable water for NASA astronauts at the International Space Station, and providing best protection practices for athletes at the 2016 Olympics, who competed in polluted water.

In 2021, she was named one of El Paso’s “Women of Impact,” an honor that recognizes women in the region who have made a positive impact on community health, education, and quality of life, among others.

“I am very fortunate to be part of UTHealth Houston, and to work with colleagues throughout Texas,” Mena said. “The diversity of our students, staff, faculty, and practitioners has positioned us to respond to the health needs of Texans, and our presence throughout the state has enabled us to partner locally and impact broadly.

“Leadership means listening to learn, and I am grateful to have learned lessons about self-awareness and candor that have helped me advocate for communities. I am particularly thankful for all of the people I have met during my 22 years with UTHealth Houston, and I have deep admiration for the inspirational leadership of Dean Boerwinkle and President Colasurdo.”

President’s Award for Leadership: Outstanding Management/Administrative Professional

• Julie Page, CPA, senior associate dean for Clinical Business Affairs at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
• Sujatha Sridhar, MBBS, MCE, associate vice president of Research Compliance at UTHealth Houston

Julie Page, CPA

Senior Associate Dean
Clinical Business Affairs
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Julie Page, CPA, advances the university’s mission through spreadsheets, reports, and contracts. She has been an instrumental force for positive change and helping spread the footprint of the university.

Page came to the UTHealth Houston in 2002 as the director of finance for UT Physicians, the clinical practice of McGovern Medical School. She has worked with the school’s Department of Surgery, working to streamline operations and research activities.

At the top of a long list of accomplishments is her role in helping university leadership with negotiating for the Harris Health contract, which went into effect in 2008, and was renegotiated in 2020. She has also worked to deepen connections and enhance opportunities with Memorial Hermann Health System.

Colleagues describe Page as a diplomatic communicator who often translates information and concepts between parties to bring them into agreement. One of her best skills are in her listening abilities, and genuine communication style.

“Julie has always been a great communicator, as a leader and as a friend,” a nominator wrote. “It's always easy to share our feelings and thoughts with her as she is an awesome listener and a great advisor. When new tasks are assigned to the departments, she would immediately hold a short team meeting with the directors of management operations to clearly explain the expectations and allow us the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback.”

Page said she is proud of how the university seized opportunities to recruit talent and create an infrastructure to support clinicians.

“I have always felt I found my first position at UTHealth Houston through cosmic intervention because it was such a good fit,” she said. “Now, 20-plus years later, I am delighted to receive the President’s Award for Leadership. I want to send out a big thank you to all the DMOs and other team members. My work is busy and fulfilling — I am never confused about our goal to leave this institute better off than when we arrived.”

Sujatha Sridhar, MBBS, MCE  

Associate Vice President  
Research Compliance, UTHealth Houston 

Sujatha Sridhar, associate vice president of research compliance at UTHealth Houston, directs a wide range of functions including regulatory review of research and resources for conduct of clinical trials.

Areas of responsibilities include research regulations, research integrity, conflict of interest, clinical trials resources, and good clinical practice education — all of which require someone with Sridhar’s ability to lead her staff with “crystalline, efficient, and intelligent” guidance, according to one of her nominators.  

Her leadership is hands-on within the center, but outside of it as well. Sridhar works closely with clinical research staff helping ensure clinical research is conducted in compliance with principles of good clinical practice. 

“If there is a complex or challenging situation, Sujatha is right there brainstorming with us and offering resources, as we try to address the situation,” wrote a nominator.

Sridhar was responsible for leading the effort to earn accreditation of UTHealth Houston’s Human Research Protection Program by the Association for Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs in 2009, the university has maintained its accredited status continuously since then. One of her proudest achievements is launching the basic and advanced good clinical practice education program that she leads with others from various Texas Medical Center institutions.

“I’m grateful to UTHealth Houston for providing me with the opportunity to serve in this role,” Sridhar said. “These past 15 years have been an amazing learning experience and an honor and privilege to work alongside such talented and exceptional faculty and staff who are committed to advancing the research mission of our university. I feel blessed to have had the support and mentorship of outstanding colleagues, supervisors, and mentors. I am happy and proud to be part of such a vibrant and dynamic community of individuals.” 

President’s Award for Leadership: Outstanding Classified Staff

• Rachel Neave, MPH, senior project manager for the Center for Health Care Data at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
• Martha “Kathy” Rodgers, associate director of Academic Administration in the Office of the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at UTHealth Houston

Rachel Neave, MPH

Senior Project Manager
Center for Health Care Data
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health

Collaboration has been the key to Rachel Neave’s success in advancing research activities at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.

She has 20 years of experience coordinating research studies,

In Neave’s current role, she facilitates the Cross-Agency Coordination on Health Care Strategies and Measures. “The 5 Agencies Project” is a legislative request to provide information resulting from the analysis of data from five key state agencies to assess ways to reduce costs and improve the quality of health care provided to Texans.

As project manager, Neave leads all activities, generates enthusiasm and cooperation among the agencies, and coordinates the analysis, presentation, and discussion of findings generated by UTHealth Houston faculty and researchers.

“I have been particularly impressed by Ms. Neave’s leadership skills, specifically her ability to lead and draw out key information during virtual meetings and by her efforts to be inclusive,” one nominator wrote. “She is welcoming and appreciative of members’ contributions and input. She is particularly positive, enthusiastic, and passionate regarding her efforts to define data and explore interventions to reduce self-harm and suicide for the state of Texas, and she strives to do this in an evidence-based, ethical, and conscientious manner.”

Neave said she is proud of the impact her roles have had on the health of Texans.

“I feel very lucky to have been given opportunities to manage incredibly meaningful projects such as assessing emergency department use, promoting cancer screening and prevention, and testing if cell therapy reduces cardiovascular disease,” she said. “I truly feel like I am achieving my dreams.”

Neave said she loves the collaborative work environment at the university.

We spend a lot of our time in our work environment, whether it’s in the office or virtual,” she said. “Our work environment has a big impact on our mood, motivation, and connectedness. In my experience, leaders set the tone for an organization, and I feel incredibly lucky to have worked for the past 20 years with an organization where I feel supported, appreciated, and valued. I am tremendously honored that Dr. Colasurdo selected me for this recognition.”

Neave is also a home-grown success, graduating with her Master of Public Health from UTHealth Houston in 2003.

Martha “Kathy” Rodgers

Associate Director
Academic Administration
Office of the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer

Rodgers has held various roles at UTHealth Houston for more than 30 years, while serving in the Office of the EVP for Academic and Research Affairs.

She began in the finance track and eventually moved over to academic administration – two very different professional settings requiring a broad set of skills to excel at both.

Her colleagues and supervisors who have worked with her throughout this time attest to her strength in making the remarkable shift.

“Kathy found a way to excel at both and make the change without complaint,” wrote one of her nominators. “This is one of Kathy’s true strengths. She has a solid grasp of what needs to happen, listens to the schools as they describe their plans, and then works with them to meet all requirements in as streamlined a manner as possible.”

Nominators said this skill is being put into action now as Rodgers works with McGovern Medical School clinical faculty on developing new master’s degree proposals as well as the impending launch of UTHealth Houston’s new School of Behavioral Health Sciences.

Another of Rodger’s administrative responsibilities is managing the university’s Academic Council, which is made up of academic leaders across UTHealth Houston.

“My work in academic administration crosses the boundaries of all our schools, so being able to support the institution and schools in this way is very gratifying,” Rodgers said. “I find that every day may bring a new challenge since improvement in education never ends, but those challenges also take teamwork. I am honored to work with a dynamic group of people in my office, but that teamwork also expands out to faculty and staff in the schools. It takes a village, and there is no better place to grow, learn, and work with others than at UTHealth Houston. I have been blessed with a great village of people.”