Celebrating IT Professionals Day at UTHealth Houston

Today, we honor the brilliant minds behind our screens, the IT professionals who keep UTHealth Houston running smoothly, securely, and innovatively. From powering clinical systems to safeguarding sensitive data, their work touches every corner of our university.

In the heart of the Texas Medical Center, UTHealth Houston’s Information Technology department is quietly powering a technological revolution. With a mission to unite innovation and reliability, the IT team is driving forward the university’s strategic vision, ensuring that students, clinicians, faculty, and staff have the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Innovation Meets Purpose

“At UTHealth Houston, we have the privilege of working with the brightest minds in education, research, and clinical practice,” says Naga Krishna Kadiyala, Associate VP of HR Innovation, Analytics, and Technology Services. “Innovation thrives here, and excellence is both valued and celebrated.” In HR Innovations, the fusion of human resources and IT expertise is producing tailored solutions that meet the unique demands of academic healthcare.

Led by Amar Yousif, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, the department has achieved major milestones: expanding AI access with strict HIPAA and FERPA compliance, earning perfect Epic Gold Star ratings three years in a row, and launching the My Funds app to deliver real-time financial insights for research teams

Mona Green-Wheeler, Senior Manager of IT Finance and Business Services, captures it perfectly: "UTHealth Houston stands out as a premier institution, providing exceptional avenues for career advancement and personal development. The IT Department plays a pivotal role, acting as the backbone that empowers and connects various functions and initiatives throughout the university."

Looking Ahead: Strategic Initiatives

The future is equally ambitious. The IT team is preparing to:

Conduct a comprehensive review of administrative systems, including PeopleSoft.
Modernize research and academic systems over the next 2–3 years.
Develop a Security Information Event Management (SIEM) program for real-time cybersecurity monitoring.
Create a data classification framework aligned with evolving privacy regulations.

These initiatives reflect a commitment not just to technological advancement, but to thoughtful, strategic transformation that supports the university’s core mission.

Culture of Growth and Opportunity

Behind every system upgrade and security protocol is a team of passionate professionals. “What I love most about working at UTHealth Houston is the chance to take on meaningful challenges that truly shape the university's administration, education, and healthcare services,” shares Eric Corbello, Assistant Director of IT User Experience and Support. “Every day brings new opportunities to innovate and grow with a supportive team.”

That sentiment is echoed by Mary Dickerson, Associate VP and Chief Information Security Officer. “As a UTHealth Houston Information Security colleague told me soon after I was hired, ‘Every day is not a party, but no day is boring.’ I feel blessed to be part of an amazing team of cybersecurity professionals who are innovative, dedicated, and sometimes scary with their creativity, especially on the ‘not boring’ days.”

A Central Hub for Progress

The Information Technology Department at UTHealth Houston isn’t just a support function, it’s a strategic partner. It enables and enhances operations across the university, from groundbreaking research to life-saving clinical care.

Whether it’s safeguarding data, streamlining systems, or empowering users, UTHealth Houston IT continues to be a driving force behind the university’s success, and a shining example of what’s possible when technology is aligned with purpose.

If you're passionate about technology, eager to make an impact in health care and education, and ready to collaborate with a team that values innovation and growth, this is your moment. ⁠ Discover exciting roles with our forward-thinking IT team today!