UTH

2024 School of Public Health Commencement Ceremony

The 2024 School of Public Health Commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 10:00 am CDT at NRG Center, 1 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77054.

Note: All summer 2023, fall 2023, and spring 2024 graduates from all campuses are eligible to participate.

School of Public Health Commencement Websites

Ceremony information specific to School of Public Health graduates will be featured on the SPH commencement sites.

Photos from the 2024 Commencement Ceremony can be accessed here.

Preparation and Ceremony Instructions for Graduates

2024 Pre-Commencement Reception

    Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024

    Time: 5:30 pm-7:30 pm CDT

    Place: Eunice Restaurant, 3737 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, Texas 77098

    Map (Corner of Buffalo Speedway and Richmond Avenue. Enter from the Richmond Avenue side to park in the garage on the left or for valet parking at the door.)

    Garage and valet parking are free. Guests will receive a parking validation at the hostess stand inside the restaurant.

     

    2024 Commencement Speaker

    R. Jacob Cintron, MAcc, MBA

    President and Chief Executive Officer of the El Paso County Hospital District (EPCHD)

    R. Jacob Cintron

    R. Jacob Cintron serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the El Paso County Hospital District (EPCHD) which includes University Medical Center of El Paso (394 licensed bed facility), University Medical Center Surgical Hospital, El Paso Health, El Paso Children’s Hospital (122 licensed bed facility), an Ambulatory Surgical Center, 5 Neighborhood Health Clinics, 2 Freestanding Emergency Departments, and the University Medical Center Foundation of El Paso.

    Mr. Cintron has over 40 years of healthcare management experience. He began his healthcare career at Thomason General Hospital, now named University Medical Center of El Paso – which he leads today.

    Mr. Cintron came to the EPCHD in July 2016 from Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, where he served as its Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2016. Other leadership positions he previously held at Del Sol Medical Center include Chief Operating Officer, Associate Administrator II, and Vice President of Support Services.

    He also served in senior leadership positions (Chief Operating Officer) at Vanguard Healthcare in Chicago, ASIS Healthcare at Southwest General Hospital in San Antonio, and UHS’ Southwest Healthcare System in California.

    Mr. Cintron is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, board chair of the Americas Essential Hospitals, board member of the TCAA, member and past board chair of the Teaching Hospitals of Texas, board member of the THA, committee member of the THA’s Council on Policy Development, past board chair of the Emergency Health Network, board member of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce, past board chair of the United Way of El Paso, member and past board chair of the Paso Del Norte Health Information Exchange and serves on various other El Paso committees and boards. Mr. Cintron holds a Bachelor of Science – Industrial Engineering, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Accountancy, all from the University of Texas at El Paso.

    Mr. Cintron also oversees important affiliations and partnerships between University Medical Center of El Paso and Texas Tech University Health Science Center of El Paso. These affiliations ensure the campus at University Medical Center of El Paso continues to be the center of medical teaching, providing an exceptional learning environment and experience for medical students, residents, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. These affiliations with Texas Tech include the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, the Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing, and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Other affiliations include the University of Texas at El Paso Nursing & Pharmacy Programs, El Paso Community College Nursing Programs, Dona Ana Community College, New Mexico State University, Texas Women’s University, Western New Mexico University, and New Mexico State University. Together, these programs are responsible for training more than a thousand future healthcare providers each year at the Campus of University Medical Center of El Paso

    Details

    Location Information:

    NRG Center
    1 Fannin St.
    Houston, TX 77054

    Driving Directions and Parking

    The Orange Lot is the designated lot for the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health Commencement ceremony.

    • Parking is $22 + tax per vehicle. Credit or debit card only. 
    • Enter from Gates 3 or 10.
    • Accessible parking is available in Orange Lot areas 6, 8, 10, and 13.
    • Download the parking map here.

    Shuttle Service

    Graduates, faculty, and guests attending the ceremony may utilize the complimentary shuttle service to and from NRG Center. Prior to the ceremony, the shuttle will pick up guests in the circular driveway (in front of the MD Anderson skybridge) at the School of Public Health, 1200 Pressler Street, Houston, Texas 77030. After the ceremony, the bus will return attendees from NRG Center to the School of Public Health. Please note that schedules are subject to traffic conditions. All shuttles are wheelchair-accessible.

    Shuttle Schedule:

    Shuttles will run every 10-15 minutes from each location.

    School of Public Health to NRG Center

    7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. CDT

    NRG Center to School of Public Health

    12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. CDT

    Ceremony

    Doors open for graduates and guests: 7:30 a.m. CDT

    Approximate end time: 12:00 p.m. CDT

    Livestream and Recording Link: Available prior to the event.

    Guest Attendance

    • We are not imposing a guest limit, and tickets are not required for the commencement ceremony. Guest seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • Graduates attending the May 16 pre-commencement reception can bring one guest.

    Livestream

    Invitation and RSVP

    All summer 2023, fall 2023, and spring 2024 graduates from all campuses are eligible to participate in the May 18 commencement ceremony. Graduates must RSVP to attend. We are not imposing a guest limit, and tickets are not required for the ceremony.

    The commencement invitation and RSVP form will be sent to the home emails of all summer 2023, fall 2023, spring 2024 graduation candidates in February, 2024.

    Preparation

    Regalia

    • Regalia Order Instructions:2024 School of Public Health Graduate Regalia Order Instructions
    • Rental
      • Deadlines
        • February 20-March 31 (no refunds after this period)
        • April 1-May 11 (late fee)
      • Rental regalia will be brought onsite by the vendor on the day of the ceremony pressed and ready-to-wear.
    • Purchase
      • Deadline: March 30
      • Purchased regalia will be shipped to the mailing address entered on the order.

    Diplomas

    • School of Public Health graduates will not receive their diplomas at the ceremony.
    • Summer and fall graduates receive their diplomas months prior to the ceremony.
    • Spring graduates will receive their diplomas approximately three months after the ceremony.
    • Official UTHealth Houston School of Public Health diploma frames are available to order online through the USA Diploma Frames website.
       

    Ceremony Day

    Arrival

    • Check in starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Graduates’ Check-in area. Graduates must arrive by 8:15 a.m.
    • Personal Belongings
      • Graduates should leave personal items with their guests. Items carried to the graduate seating section should be placed in pockets or left in the seat when walking to the stage. Do not carry any items with you to the stage.
         

    Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health Stoles

    • Delta Omega stoles will be distributed at the check-in table.
       

    Attire

    Note: This is a formal event that serves as both the commencement and convocation to celebrate and publicly confer your degree. The University president, school deans and University of Texas System representatives will be present.

    The dress for graduates under the regalia and for guests is business casual. Due to the warm weather conditions that are typical during May, lightweight clothing is recommended.

    • Necklaces should be tucked inside of the gown. 
    • No sneakers or other athletic shoes, flip flops, slippers, sandals, bare feet or just socks.
    • High heeled shoes are allowed but not recommended if you are not comfortable walking in them on stairs or ramps, on a variety of surfaces, or standing in them for up to 20 minutes.
    • No props (e.g. feather boas, glow-in-the-dark or lighted items, bells, etc.) or decorations should be worn on any part of the regalia.
    • Stoles, sashes and cords directly related to academic achievements or official UTHealth Houston student organizations are allowed.  
       

    Photography

    During the ceremony, professional stage and candid photos will be taken and available for free download through a link sent to participants approximately one week after the event. Stations will be available in the mail hall for family and friends to take pictures with graduates.

    Photos from past events and graduation ceremonies can be accessed here.

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