Sgt. Isaac Graham Named MD Anderson’s Staff Educator of the Year

In March, Sergeant Isaac Graham became the third UT Police officer to be named MD Anderson’s Staff Educator of the Year. Prior Staff Educators of the Year include Officer Manuel Leston (2020) and Sgt. Scott Barnwell (2015).  

“It is a great honor to have been named an Educator of the Quarter and especially when compared to the incredible people who were named for the other three quarters,” Graham said after the event. “I am humbled and deeply honored to be recognized with this award.” 

During MD Anderson’s Education Week in late March, Graham was joined by fellow Staff Educators of the Quarter, colleagues, and supporters at the Educator Recognition Reception in MD Anderson’s Pickens Tower to await the announcement of the year’s education awards.  

A video of the accomplishments of all 2023 Educators of the Quarter for 2023 awardees featured fellow awardees Patricia Montgomery, Richard Morse, and Xiaojun Liu, Ph.D.  

The announcement naming Graham as MD Anderson’s Staff Educator of the Year was made after the video was shown. Supporting Graham during the reception included Chief William Adcox, Captain Michael Redmond, Lt. Raul Tenorio, Detective Carlos Guzman, Ofc. Phillip Nguyen, and fellow Educator of the Year Officer Manuel Leston. 

Graham made a short speech to the audience following the announcement.  

“There is no greater honor than being in a position where we can affect patients of this institution,” Graham said. “Everything that we do, every opportunity that we have – to serve in that capacity and to Make Cancer History – is probably the greatest honor that I’ve had in any instructing or teaching or serving for this institution.” 

The award comes with the honorable designation of Graham as an MD Anderson Distinguished Educator and his being inducted in the Academy of Health Science Education.   

“He’s a great educator,” Adcox said. “I cannot think of anyone that’s more deserving of these awards and place in the [educator’s] academy. It’s just beautiful.” 

Graham is a certified trainer and instructor for UT Police. His efforts include delivering training to the over 30,000 workforce members of both MD Anderson and UTHealth Houston. 

His current certifications as instructor include: Advanced Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Instructor, Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) instructor and program manager, Crisis Prevention Institute Instructor, Non-Escalation De-escalation and Crisis Management Instructor, Surviving Verbal Conflict Instructor, Agitated Chaotic Excited Delirium Instructor, TASER Master Instructor, DWI Detection and Standard Field Sobriety Instructor, Stop the Bleed Instructor, Narcan Instructor, Integrating Communications Assessment and Tactics Instructor (ICAT), OC Spray Instructor, and Police Academy Adjunct Instructor.  

To date, Graham has trained over 500 MD Anderson and UTHealth Houston clinical staff in verbal intervention, crisis management, and de-escalation.  

UT Police Training Captain Mike Redmond speaks highly of Graham stating, “he consistently increases UT Police and institutional high reliability and safety through his training courses and instructional design.” 

Graham also has provided instructional design for several training courses. He has designed and implemented online courses to include Avigilon Security Camera Training, Mental Health Awareness Training, Narcan Naloxone Program Training, and Body Worn Camera Training. He also oversees the new employee onboarding education program. 

Graham is also an adjunct instructor for the UT System Police Academy. In this capacity, Graham contributes and provides leadership to new police cadets in several areas, including DWI detection and standard field sobriety training, use of force, de-escalation, and TASER® Training. 

“I did not expect this, but I am humbly honored to receive this recognition, especially with the support of Chief Adcox, Captain Redmond, and my fellow officers here with me today,” Graham said.