STAR Awards recognize dedicated UTHealth Houston employees

The UTHealth Houston STAR Awards reception and luncheon celebrated employees and recognized milestone years of service ranging from five to 45 years.

The awards, held Feb. 25-26 at the Cooley University Life Center, included representatives from all schools, clinical and administrative — the many faces who make the university a leader in education, research, and clinical care.

“It is an honor to celebrate our STAR Award recipients and also recipients of the 2024 President’s Awards for Leadership,” said Karen Spillar, JD, vice president of Human Resources and chief human resources officer at UTHealth Houston. “We thank you for being here today and allowing us to recognize your tremendous service.”

Recognized during this year’s STAR Awards for their 45 years of service were Lance Gould, MD, professor of internal medicine and Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished University Chair in Heart Disease at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston; Jacqueline Hecht, PhD, professor of pediatrics and Leah L. Lewis Distinguished Chair at McGovern Medical School; and Nancy Wilson, senior support assistant in the Department of Pediatrics at McGovern Medical School.

Awardee reflections

Looking back on his four decades at UTHealth Houston, David Marshak, PhD, professor of neurobiology and anatomy at McGovern Medical School, reflected on a career filled with meaningful research and lasting fulfillment.

“It doesn’t seem like 40 years. It went by pretty quickly,” Marshak said. “I’ve spent my entire career here and enjoyed it. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work that still brings me joy is my research. UTHealth Houston has been one of the leading centers for the research that I do."

Reflecting on his 30-year journey, Thomas Servos, DDS, professor and chief clinical officer in general practice and dental public health at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, shared his gratitude and appreciation for the experiences and opportunities that have shaped his career.

“It is an honor to be recognized for 30 years of dedication and hard work. This milestone represents more than just time, it reflects the relationships, challenges, and successes shared along the way,” Servos said. “I’m deeply grateful to the leadership of the School of Dentistry for the opportunities they have afforded me to grow both personally and professionally, and I look forward to continuing this journey with the same passion and dedication that brought me here.”

Reminiscing on three decades of growth and transformation, Elda Ramirez, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, the Dorothy T. Nicholson Distinguished Professor and associate dean of strategic initiatives and community engagement at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston, shared her appreciation for the opportunities she has found at UTHealth Houston.

“This institution has allowed me to completely reinvent myself for the last 30 years,” Ramirez said. “I can’t imagine there’s very many opportunities or companies that allow that. They’ve given me the ability to continue to grow my career. I think this institution’s culture brings on new people and nurtures them, as opposed to always finding a competition.”

Celebrating 25 years at McGovern Medical School as a service line administrator, Maria Gibson stressed the importance of mentorship and paying it forward in her career.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my job has been being able to serve as a mentor and seeing others grow in their careers,” Gibson said. “Somebody invested in me and took their time to mentor me here and I wouldn’t be where I am without them. I want to be able to help others along the way.”

The Cooley University Life Center is located at 7440 Cambridge St., Houston.