Blog Post | February 2026
University hosts UT System volunteer leaders for Winter Meeting
The University of Texas System’s mission to improve the health and well-being of Texans was on full display Jan. 29-30 as UTHealth Houston hosted the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee Winter Business Meeting, offering a comprehensive look at how the institution is delivering on that promise through education, patient care, and research.
The two-day meeting brought the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee, a strategic advisory group of approximately 300 members who support the success of institutions across the UT System, and a record-setting attendance with more than 400 registrants to UTHealth Houston for an in-depth exploration of the university’s impact and future direction.
UTHealth Houston President Melina R. Kibbe, MD, emphasized that the meeting reflected more than institutional pride, highlighting how UTHealth Houston’s work elevates the UT System’s broader vision of service to Texans.
Showcasing innovation in the Texas Medical Center
Following the opening session, attendees participated in a series of breakout sessions highlighting UTHealth Houston’s research, clinical expertise, and community impact.
Breakout sessions generated strong engagement from Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee members, who asked detailed questions and participated in meaningful dialogue around research, clinical care, and statewide impact.
Transforming Early Development: From Brain Science to Brighter Futures
The breakout session focused on early childhood development and the critical importance of the first years of life, when a child’s brain reaches nearly 90% of its adult size.
Faculty leaders from the Children’s Learning Institute at McGovern Medical School shared how UTHealth Houston is translating neuroscience and developmental research into real-world tools and policies that support educators, families, and children statewide.
Presenters included Gabriel Anzueto, MD, the Raghuthaman Family Professor in Pediatric Neurology and Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and director of the Dan L Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic; and April Crawford, PhD, the Meg and Dick Weekley Distinguished Chair in Childhood Reading and Learning, Michael Matthew Knight Memorial Professor in Pediatrics, and co-director of the Children’s Learning Institute. The session was moderated by Mary E. Aitken, MD, MPH, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics.
February 1, 2026 | Inside University News | Education and Research