Interims Named Sole Finalists To Head Up U. Of Texas System, UT-Austin
The University of Texas System Board of Regents has named John M. Zerwas as the sole finalist for the chancellorship of the University of Texas System and James E. Davis as the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Texas at Austin.
Zerwas and Davis currently are serving in those two roles as interim leaders. Each man received unanimous support to be the sole finalists for their respective positions by the regents at a meeting on Monday.
Zerwas, a physician by training, had been the UT System's Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, joining the university in that capacity in October 2019. In that position, he oversaw the five UT System health institutions. He was named the UT System's chancellor ad interim, following the departure of J.B. Milliken in May to become president of the University of California.
Prior to joining the UT System, Zervas served seven legislative terms in the Texas House of Representatives, including eleven years on the House Appropriations Committee, (three as Chairman) and six as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. He was also a prior Chair of the House Committee on Higher Education in Texas.
In a news release, UT Board of Regents' Chairman Kevin P. Eltife praised Zerwas for 'an impeccable record in higher education, healthcare, and policy.' "The regents and all UT presidents respect Dr. Zerwas and trust his sound judgment and thoughtful leadership,' added Eltife.
The board will consider final action to approve Zerwas as chancellor at its mid-August Board of Regents meeting in Austin, after the state's mandated 21-day period for finalists elapses.
Zerwas said he was 'humbled and honored to be considered as chancellor of the UT System, and I am profoundly grateful to Chairman Eltife and each regent for conveying their trust in me,' adding that he was eager to work "in this new capacity to maximize UT's fullest potential in education, discovery, and healthcare.'
Jim Davis has been serving as the Interim President of The University of Texas at Austin, replacing former president Jay Hartzell, who announced in January that he was leaving the university to become the president of Southern Methodist University.
Prior to being named interim president, Davis was UT Austin's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Legal Affairs and Business Strategies.
After completing his BA in history from UT Austin, Davis, whose father was a professor at the university, earned his law degree from Harvard Law School and served as a law clerk at the Supreme Court of Texas. He practiced law as a partner in the Austin office of Locke Lord and later served as a Texas Deputy Attorney General, under Texas AG Ken Paxton.
Eltife praised Davis's leadership, noting that the regents had worked directly with him 'over the past seven years on some of the largest and most transformational and complex initiatives ever undertaken by UT Austin. His understanding of almost every facet of UT Austin's opportunities and challenges is remarkable, and his versatility in being able to navigate them, all the way from conception to successful execution, has served UT very well.'
The board's final action to approve Davis is also subject to the 21-day waiting period. According to the regents' announcement, Eltife will appoint a committee composed of faculty, staff, student, alumni and community representatives, along with two UT presidents. That committee will then offer the regents advice and an evaluation on Davis, consistent with a review that would usually be provided by a presidential search advisory committee.
Texas higher education has seen its share of political intrigue and shake-ups in university leadership recently. Earlier this year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 37 into law. That statute, strongly supported by conservative legislators in the state, significantly strengthens the power of university governing boards and central administrators in a number of areas, including the hiring of university personnel.
Although that law does not go into effect until September 1, it appears the regents are honoring its spirit already, bypassing the traditional search process and turning to men well-known in Texas Republican circles for two of the state's most powerful higher education jobs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
New Bedford mosquito sample tests positive for West Nile virus again. What to know.
West Nile virus has been detected in a mosquito sample in New Bedford for the second time in recent weeks. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health notified local health officials about the finding, which was in a primarily bird-biting mosquito near Oak Grove Cemetery on Parker Street, according to a community announcement. The risk level for West Nile virus in New Bedford, Fairhaven and Acushnet is moderate. Preventative measures include wearing mosquito repellent between dusk and dawn, wearing long sleeves and pants during those hours, using mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens, and emptying standing water around homes twice weekly. The Bristol County Mosquito Project conducted targeted ground-spraying Aug. 14 in the Oak Grove Cemetery area. This spraying supplements the county's normal weekly ground-spraying, which occurs seasonally from early June through September and targets parks and other locations that host large public events. Weekly sprayings take place every Thursday during the summer between 2 a.m. and sunrise in locations around Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Common Park, Ashley Park, Wing's Court, Custom House Square and other parts of downtown. Residents near targeted areas may want to close their windows in the evenings before spraying. In the event of inclement weather, spraying will be moved to early Friday morning. The annual monitoring program involves crews placing traps and collecting specimens to monitor the mosquito population throughout the summer. It also helps track whether any mosquitoes are carrying Eastern equine encephalitis or West Nile virus. West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause illness ranging from a mild fever to more serious disease. It is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Positive mosquito samples for West Nile are not uncommon in the summer months and have been found in cities and towns across the state in recent weeks. The New Bedford Health Department recommends several precautionary measures to help protect against mosquito bites: Be aware of peak mosquito hours: Mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities during these times or take extra precautions with repellent and protective clothing, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors can help keep mosquitoes away from your skin, even though it may be challenging in hot weather. Apply insect repellent when outdoors: Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the product label instructions. DEET products should not be used on infants under 2 months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin. Drain standing water: Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. Limit breeding sites around your home by draining or removing items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains, empty unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently. Install or repair screens: Some mosquitoes can enter homes. Keep them outside by ensuring tight-fitting screens on all windows and doors. For more information and the state's risk-level map, visit This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: West Nile virus detected in mosquito sample in New Bedford Solve the daily Crossword
Medscape
an hour ago
- Medscape
AI Is the New Dr Google — Across the Globe
Patients arriving at appointments with researched information is not new, but artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT are changing the dynamics. Their confident presentation can leave physicians feeling that their expertise is challenged. Kumara Raja Sundar, MD, a family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente Burien Medical Center in Burien, Washington, highlighted this trend in a recent article published in JAMA . A patient visited Sundar's clinic reporting dizziness and described her symptoms with unusual precision: 'It's not vertigo, but more like a presyncope feeling.' She then suggested that the tilt table test might be useful for diagnosis. Occasionally, patient questions reveal subtle familiarity with medical jargon. This may indicate that they either have relevant training or have studied the subject extensively. Curious, Sundar asked if she worked in the healthcare sector. She replied that she had consulted ChatGPT, which recommended the tilt table test. For years, patients have brought newspaper clippings, internet research, and advice from friends and relatives to consultations. Suggestions shared in WhatsApp groups have become a regular part of clinical discussions. Sundar noted that this particular encounter was different. The patient's tone and level of detail conveyed competence, and the confidence with which she presented the information subtly challenged his clinical judgment and treatment plans. Clinical Practice It is not surprising that large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, are appealing. Recent studies have confirmed their remarkable strengths in logical reasoning and interpersonal communication. However, a direct comparison between LLMs and physicians is unfair. Clinicians often face immense pressure, including constrained consultation times, overflowing inboxes, and a healthcare system that demands productivity and efficiency. Even skilled professionals struggle to perform optimally under adverse conditions. In contrast, generative AI is functionally limitless. This imbalance creates an unrealistic benchmark; however, this is today's reality. Patients want clear answers; more importantly, they want to feel heard, understood, and reassured. Patients value accurate information but also want to feel recognized, reassured, and heard. 'Unfortunately, under the weight of competing demands, which is what often slips for me not just because of systemic constraints but also because I am merely human,' Sundar wrote. Despite the capabilities of generative AI, patients still visit doctors. Though these tools deliver confidently worded suggestions, they inevitably conclude: 'Consult a healthcare professional.' The ultimate responsibility for liability, diagnostics, prescriptions, and sick notes remains with physicians. Patient Interaction In practice, this means dealing with requests, such as a tilt table test for intermittent vertigo, a procedure that is not uncommon but often inappropriate. 'I find myself explaining concepts such as overdiagnosis, false positives, or other risks of unnecessary testing. At best, the patient understands the ideas, which may not resonate when one is experiencing symptoms. At worst, I sound dismissive. There is no function that tells ChatGPT that clinicians lack routine access to tilt-table testing or that echocardiogram appointments are delayed because of staff shortages. I have to carry those constraints into the examination room while still trying to preserve trust,' Sundar emphasized in his article. When I speak with medical students, I notice a different kind of paternalism creeping in. And I have caught it in my inner monologue, even if I do not say it aloud. The old line, 'They probably WebMD'd it and think they have cancer,' has morphed into the newer, just-as-dismissive line, 'They probably ChatGPT'd it and are going to tell us what to order.' It often reflects defensiveness from clinicians rather than genuine engagement and carries an implicit message: We still know the best. 'It is an attitude that risks eroding sacred and fragile trust between clinicians and patients. It reinforces the feeling that we are not 'in it' with our patients and are truly gatekeeping rather than partnering. Ironically, that is often why I hear patients turn to LLMs in the first place,' Sundar concluded . Patient Advocacy One patient said plainly, 'This is how I can advocate for myself better.' The word 'advocate' struck Sundar, capturing the effort required to persuade someone with more authority. Although clinicians still control access to tests, referrals, and treatment plans, the term conveys a sense of preparing for a fight. When patients feel unheard, gathering knowledge becomes a strategy to be taken seriously. In such situations, the usual approach of explaining false-positive test results, overdiagnosis, and test characteristics is often ineffective. From the patient's perspective, this sounds more like, 'I still know more than you, no matter what tool you used, and I'm going to overwhelm you with things you don't understand.' Physician Role The role of physicians is constantly evolving. The transition from physician-as-authority to physician-as-advisor is intensifying. Patients increasingly present with expectations shaped by nonevidence-based sources, often misaligned with the clinical reality. As Sundar observed, 'They arm themselves with knowledge to be heard.' This necessitates a professional duty to respond with understanding rather than resistance. His approach centers on emotional acknowledgment before clinical discussion: 'I say, 'We'll discuss diagnostic options together. But first, I want to express my condolences. I can hardly imagine how you feel. I want to tackle this with you and develop a plan.'' He emphasized, 'This acknowledgment was the real door opener.' Global Trend What began as a US trend observed by Sundar has now spread worldwide, with patients increasingly arriving at consultations armed with medical knowledge from tools like ChatGPT rather than just 'Dr Google.' Clinicians across health systems have reported that digitally informed patients now comprise the majority. In a forum discussion, physicians from various disciplines shared their experiences, highlighting how previously informed patients are now the norm. Inquiries often focus on specific laboratory values, particularly vitamin D or hormone tests. In gynecologic consultations, Internet research on menstrual disorders has become a routine part of patient interactions, with an overwhelming range of answers available online. ' Chanice ,' a Coliquio user who's a gynecologist, shared, 'The answers range from, 'It's normal; it can happen' to 'You won't live long.'' 'It's also common to Google medication side effects, and usually, women end up experiencing pretty much every side effect, even though they didn't have them before.' How should doctors respond to this trend? Opinions are clear: openness, education, and transparency are essential and ideally delivered in a structured manner. 'Get the patients on board; educate them. In writing! Each and every one of them. Once it's put into words, it's no longer a job. Invest time in educating patients to correct misleading promises made by health insurance companies and politicians,' commented another user, Jörg Christian Nast, a specialist in gynecology and obstetrics. The presence of digitally informed patients is increasingly seen not only as a challenge but also as an opportunity. Conversations with these patients can be constructive, but they can also generate unrealistic demands or heated debates. Thus, a professional, calm, and explanatory approach remains crucial, and at times, a dose of humor can help. Another user who specializes in internal medicine added, 'The term 'online consultation' takes on a whole new meaning.' The full forum discussion, 'The Most Frequently Asked 'Dr. Google' Questions,' can be found here. Find out what young physicians think about AI and the evolving doctor-patient relationship in our interview with Christian Becker, MD, MHBA, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany, and a spokesperson for the Young German Society for Internal Medicine. Read the full interview here.
Medscape
an hour ago
- Medscape
Free Genetic Tests May Aid People With Rare Kidney Disease
Genetic testing covered by companies that make treatments for primary hyperoxaluria can help identify cases of this rare condition, which often leads to kidney failure at an early age. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., maker of the lumasiran (Oxlumo), partnered with Prevention Genetics, a unit of Exact Sciences Corporation, to run a testing program free of charge for individuals in the US and Canada. Novo Nordisk, maker of nedosiran (Rivfloza), works with Blueprint Genetics on a similar program. These programs make it easier for physicians treating patients whose medical histories raise concerns about possible primary hyperoxaluria, said Matthew Breeggemann, MD, a nephrologist and co-medical director of the UCSF's Kidney Stone Prevention Clinic. The test kits are mailed to patients. 'The patient just swabs the inside of their cheek and then mails it back. And you can get results sometimes within 2, 3 weeks,' he told Medscape Medical News . Physicians are not required to prescribe the company's primary hyperoxaluria drug when their patients are tested through its sponsored program, Breeggemann said. 'We take advantage of [these programs] to help our patients like we should, but it doesn't mean you need to use that company's drug — the ultimate choice is up to the patient and what is covered by their health insurance plan,' he said. Excess Oxalate Primary hyperoxaluria type 1, the most common form, has been estimated to affect about 1 to 3 per 1 million people, but some research suggests it may be more common. In primary hyperoxaluria, the liver can't properly regulate the production of oxalate. So the kidneys wind up with excess oxalate, which can combine with calcium to form kidney stones. Over time, oxalate builds up in the body, leading to complications including arrhythmias and cardiac arrest, gangrene, and bone and joint pain and fractures. One of the potential clues for primary hyperoxaluria is finding kidney stones in children because this is unusual, Breeggemann said. In adults, one signal of this condition would be a finding of high urine oxalate levels on a lab test, Breeggemann noted. Other signs include frequent formation of kidney stones or having family members with a history of kidney stones. Physicians may also consider genetic testing for primary hyperoxaluria in patients who have kidney stones and unexplained chronic kidney disease, especially in those who don't have hypertension or diabetes, Breeggemann said. Limited but Growing Treatment Options For many years, treatments for primary hyperoxaluria were limited. Patients could try to maintain high fluid intake — intended to maintain brisk flow of diluted urine — and take citrate supplements — intended to increase urinary oxalate solubility. Vitamin B6 may also be prescribed. Some patients would have liver transplants in attempts to address the root cause of their illness. Some would undergo combined or sequential liver and kidney transplants, often preceded by periods of intensive dialysis. This sometimes involved hemodialysis many days of the week and peritoneal dialysis nightly. But there's been a marked change recently in the landscape of treatments for primary hyperoxaluria. Alnylam said lumasiran was the first approved pharmaceutical therapy for this condition. US and EU regulators cleared it in 2020. Lumasiran is a small interfering RNA (siRNA) designed to inhibit the production of oxalate. In 2023, Novo Nordisk received US approval of its siRNA drug, nedosiran, also designed to curb oxalate production. Several companies have investigational agents in clinical development for the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria as well, Alnylam noted in a regulatory filing. These include Biocodex, Inc., and YolTech Therapeutics. In addition, Arbor Biotechnologies is working on a drug candidate, ABO-101, that it describes as 'a novel gene editing therapeutic' designed to address primary hyperoxaluria type 1. Breeggemann reported receiving consulting fees from Novo Nordisk and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.
