The UTMB School of Health Professions (SHP) is proud to recognize the inaugural nominees for the Dean's Award for Excellence in Health Professions, the highest student honor presented by the school.
Established in 2026, the award recognizes a graduating student who demonstrates exceptional achievement across four areas: academic excellence, clinical performance, leadership and service, and professional identity and character.
Each SHP department was invited to nominate one graduating student whose accomplishments and character exemplify the highest standards of their profession. Four students were selected as nominees for the inaugural award, representing an exceptional group of graduates whose contributions have distinguished them throughout their time at UTMB. Nomination packets are reviewed and scored by SHP leadership using criteria aligned with the four areas of excellence.
The selected recipient will receive the Dean's Award and will have the honor of representing the graduating class by delivering the student address during the 2026 SHP Commencement Ceremony.
Meet the 2026 Nominees
Brooks K. Kennedy
Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Brooks Kennedy, a Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Sciences candidate, has distinguished himself through his commitment to advancing patient care through laboratory medicine, diagnostic stewardship and clinical consultation.
His doctoral research examines physicians’ perceptions of clinical decision support systems for laboratory test ordering, addressing an important area of healthcare quality and patient safety.
Through advanced clinical residencies in pathology, internal medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine and infectious diseases, Kennedy has demonstrated an ability to translate complex laboratory findings into meaningful guidance for healthcare teams.
He also serves as president of the Lambda Tau Honor Society and has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and advancement of the clinical laboratory profession.
Nuha Omar Farooqui
Department of Nutrition Sciences and Health Behavior
Nuha Farooqui, a Master of Science and Dietetic Internship student, has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while developing an impressive record of research, clinical excellence, leadership and community engagement.
As a graduate research assistant, Farooqui has contributed to research focused on breastfeeding education and health literacy and is a co-author on a manuscript currently under review. She has also developed accessible nutrition resources for underserved communities.
Her leadership includes service through the Nutrition in Medicine Student Advisory Board and RXNourish, where she has helped strengthen nutrition education for healthcare professionals and community members.
Hanna Tyer
Department of Occupational Therapy
Hanna Tyer, a Doctor of Occupational Therapy student, has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and earned Dean’s List honors for six consecutive semesters.
A member of Pi Theta Epsilon, the national occupational therapy honor society, Tyer has contributed to scholarly research accepted for presentation at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress. Her capstone work focuses on supporting community-based programs for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners.
Her clinical experiences have reflected excellence in patient-centered care, clinical reasoning and professionalism. She has also served the community through St. Vincent’s Hope Clinic and Bloom and participated in leadership and mentorship activities throughout her time at UTMB.
Mallory Hull
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
Mallory Hull, a Doctor of Physical Therapy student, has demonstrated excellence academically and across pediatric, neurologic and outpatient rehabilitation settings.
Her clinical instructors have consistently recognized her compassionate, patient-centered approach, strong clinical reasoning and commitment to helping patients and families achieve meaningful outcomes.
Service has also been central to Hull’s professional journey. Through St. Vincent’s House, Grace Mobility Clinic and adaptive sports programming for individuals with cerebral palsy, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusion, advocacy and improving quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
Celebrating the Inaugural Nominees
Kennedy, Farooqui, Tyer and Hull are the first students nominated for the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Health Professions, marking the beginning of a new tradition recognizing exceptional graduates across the School of Health Professions.
The inaugural recipient will be announced during the 2026 SHP Commencement Ceremony on Aug. 21.
Join us in celebrating each of these students and the academic achievement, leadership, service and commitment to their professions that earned them this distinction.