Pancreatic cancer remains a formidable health threat across South Texas, prompting regional health leaders, clinical experts, and community advocates to ramp up educational initiatives aimed at early awareness, screening, and advanced care options. To directly address this pressing medical challenge, local institutions are inviting healthcare professionals, patients, families, and community members to participate in a comprehensive virtual event dedicated to understanding the disease and exploring cutting-edge therapeutic pathways.
The upcoming educational session, titled "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness," is scheduled for 11 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, November 19, 2026. This online gathering serves
as a vital platform for disseminating critical medical information to populations that may be disproportionately affected by gastrointestinal malignancies. The featured speaker for the presentation is Dr. Sukeshi Patel Arora, a prominent clinical leader who spearheads the gastrointestinal malignancies and geriatric oncology programs at the Mays Cancer Center, located within UT Health San Antonio. Individuals interested in attending can secure their spot by registering online through the designated Zoom meeting portal.
The initiative is part of a broader, ongoing collaborative effort designed to bring essential health dialogues directly to the region’s diverse populations.
About Dr. Sukeshi Patel Arora
Dr. Sukeshi Patel Arora, MD, brings extensive clinical expertise and academic dedication to her role as a professor in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at UT Health San Antonio. Her daily clinical practice focuses heavily on medical oncology treatments tailored specifically for complex gastrointestinal cancers. Among her primary clinical areas of expertise are malignancies affecting the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, liver, and neuroendocrine systems.
Beyond her direct patient care responsibilities, Dr. Arora is deeply invested in advancing the scientific understanding of these aggressive diseases through active research. Her primary research interests center on drug development, with the ultimate goal of identifying and testing novel, more effective treatments for hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. Furthermore, she maintains a dedicated focus on improving overall care delivery and clinical outcomes for older adults diagnosed with cancer, recognizing the unique physiological and supportive care needs of geriatric oncology patients. Her dual commitment to translational research and compassionate patient-centered care makes her a leading voice in the ongoing fight against gastrointestinal malignancies in Texas and beyond.
Webinar Series on South Texas Community Conversations
The upcoming presentation is a key component of the ongoing "Every Cancer, Every Story: A Series of Conversations" webinar initiative. This dynamic educational series is the result of a powerful institutional collaboration between the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center and the Mays Cancer Center Office of Community Engagement and Outreach at UT Health San Antonio.
The Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center has a long-standing history of serving the region. Established in 1993 in Laredo, Texas, the organization originally focused its outreach and educational programming on Webb, Zapata, La Salle, Duval, Jim Hogg, and Dimmit counties. Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to expanding healthcare access and educational resources, the organization officially broadened its service footprint in 2022 to encompass Willacy and Starr counties as well, ensuring that more rural and underserved communities receive vital health information.
Operating alongside this regional network is the Mays Cancer Center, whose overarching mission is to significantly reduce the burden of cancer across San Antonio, South Texas, and surrounding regions. Through comprehensive patient care, groundbreaking research, and extensive community outreach, the center strives to bridge the gap between advanced medical science and community needs.
Dr. Julie Bazan, Director of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center, emphasizes the profound impact that localized education can have on public health outcomes. Sharing information about available medical resources empowers individuals to take proactive steps regarding their health.
"Education and information can be shared with family members, friends, and networks," Dr. Bazan noted. "They will share opportunities for care, screening, and support available at the Mays Cancer Center."
To maximize its reach and effectiveness within the South Texas community, the Mays Cancer Center receives valuable support from Salud America!, a prominent national health communication organization. Salud America! is widely recognized for producing culturally relevant, research-based stories, digital media, videos, and practical tools designed to inspire individuals to advocate for and implement healthy changes within their local environments, ensuring that all families have the opportunity to live, learn, work, and play in healthy communities.
The broader health communication and community outreach program is led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez. Dr. Ramirez serves as a professor and chair of Population Health Sciences, as well as the director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. In addition to these prestigious roles, she directs the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, driving initiatives that connect academic medicine directly with the communities it serves.
Community members, patients, caregivers, and healthcare advocates interested in gaining deeper insights into pancreatic cancer diagnosis, treatment advancements, and regional support services are encouraged to participate in the upcoming virtual session. Registration for the presentation remains open through the official online meeting link.
