Dell Medical School Faculty Council Election (2024-2026)

Jorge Almeida, M.D., Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Dell Medical School and director of the Bipolar Disorder Center at UT Health Austin. Almeida’s neuroimaging research focuses on the use of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to investigate biomarkers of bipolar disorder, using connectivity and pattern recognition analysis. He directs the Bipolar Disorder Center, a specialized, coordinated, and competitive out-patient-centered, evidence-based, and outcome-driven care team, to achieve higher healthcare value at the lowest cost using an “Integrated Practice Unit” approach. Dr. Almeida served multiple administrative roles at Dell Medical School; most notably, Dr. Almeida was part of the CEPAS and UTHA Leadership Group. He is currently part of the Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure Committee. His collaborative approach and commitment to fostering inclusive environments have facilitated constructive dialogue among faculty members, administration, and students. If entrusted to the faculty council, Jorge will promote shared governance principles and advance initiatives that uphold the values of integrity and academic freedom with responsibility.

I am one of the first faculty hires at the Dell Medical School. I have worked in the Department of Psychiatry since 2017. I am PI of two Department of Defense research studies and the lead evaluator for the Mobile Medical Mental Health (M3) treatment team for people experiencing homelessness in Austin in addition to co-investigator on several grants related to substance use harm reduction. I mentored the first graduate of the Psychiatry research track, and currently mentor a psychiatry resident, two PhD students working on my grants, a medical student, and two undergraduates from the DIVE into Psychology mentoring program.

I was recruited to the Univ of Texas at Austin Dell Med School in 2015-2016, early days for Dell Med, after 28 years on the faculty of Cornell University in Ithaca on the faculties of Nutrition, Chemistry, and Geological Sciences. I rose through the ranks to full professor (1989-2000), had a major research program funded mostly by NIH, was Director of Undergraduate Studies for programs with >800 majors, was a member of the 1995 Committee that created the Cornell faculty Senate and 10 person Faculty council that meets monthly with the Provost, was chair of the Faculty Advisory Committee on Athletics and Physical Education for 6 years and was Cornell's NCAA representative. At UT/Dell Med, I was the first senior level Pediatrics recruit in the heady days when the School was being established, and I am a member of the CNS Depts of Chemistry and Nutrition where I serve as major advisor to PhD and undergraduate students. My role at Dell Med is primarily research including as acting Associate Chair for Research (Pediatrics), and since 2019 a member of the Dean of Medicine's Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure Committee charged first with establishing criteria for the various ranks (Asst, Associate, full Professor) in Dell Med and voting (approve/do not approve) on all Dell Med faculty appointments. My terminal degree is PhD, and I run a mass spectrometry lab focused on lipids (e.g. omega-3 fatty acids); our basic research is directed to informing and improving international nutrition policy which we have done consistently over the years.

I am currently an assistant professor at Dell Medical School in the departments of Medical Education and Population Health and the Director of Program Development and Scholarship for Population Health. I have worked in higher education as both a faculty and staff member for 15 years and have extensive experience in academic governance at the departmental and school level. I firmly believe institutions of higher education are at their strongest when faculty/staff governance structures and institutional leadership develop a collegial, open working relationship.

As the Vascular Surgery Division Chief I am responsible for the programmatic development of academic vascular surgical care across our network. My participation at the UT governance structure as a Faculty Council member is aimed to enhance the integration of Dell Medical School with the UT campus.

I am a board-certified abdominal transplant surgeon and serve as the Transplant Director for both the Abdominal Transplant Center, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. I specialize in kidney and pancreas transplantation. I am also a professor and serve as the Chief of the Division of Transplant Surgery for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care. In addition, I currently serve on the Dell Medical School APT committee.

I am interested in faculty governance because I believe that our school's footprint in research, clinical care, and education define university priorities and policies, and are defined by them. Faculty and staff need to be informed of changes in our immediate and extended contexts so we can advance our mission.

Greg Wallingford, MD, MBA is a board-certified emergency medicine and palliative medicine physician who serves as Assistant Dean for Professional Fulfillment and Well-being at Dell Medical School. Additionally, Greg has held educational leadership roles, including course director for the Dell Medical School longitudinal leadership curriculum, Associate Program Director for the Palliative Medicine Fellowship, and has co-led the Internal Medicine Distinction Track in Care Transformation.

In a Faculty Council role, Greg is committed to advocating for the integration of well-being as a shared responsibility between our faculty, trainee, and student community. He firmly believes that well-being is a catalyst for learning, growth, and professional fulfillment – and thus, a key ingredient of an impactful and thriving academic environment. If elected, he looks forward to engaging in meaningful dialogue regarding educational policies, with specific focus on cultivating a culture where well-being is an integral part of our academic mission.