Rebecca Trout Unbehagen is a transplanted Texan, born in Oklahoma and raised in North Carolina and Michigan. She currently serves as executive director of community engagement for the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) in the Office of Strategy and Communications. Trout Unbehagen is a graduate of Michigan State University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an emphasis in economics and political science. She earned her Master of Science degree in Health Professions from UTMB. She is a former newspaper journalist turned marketer, as well as special events coordinator and public relations specialist.
Trout Unbehagen joined UTMB Health in 1990 as editor of several of the university’s publications. She has held various media relations and publications positions at UTMB Health, serving as publications manager, assistant director of communications and later as director of communications. She served in the Office of Health Policy & Legislative Affairs, and as director of community initiatives and director of program development in the Office of University Advancement. In her current role, Trout Unbehagen works with community partners to build relationships that directly and indirectly improve health and promote wellness and health literacy among UTMB Health patients and residents of the communities served by UTMB Health.
Trout Unbehagen has served as officer and on numerous boards of directors for several local and regional organizations including the Board of Regents for Galveston Community College, Communities in Schools Bay Area, Clear Creek Education Foundation, Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Friendswood Chamber of Commerce, Texas City/La Marque Chamber of Commerce, League City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Galveston Independent School District Educational Foundation, the Rotary Club of Galveston Island, Galveston County Food Bank, Galveston Island Meals on Wheels, Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church Permanent Endowment Fund, the Galveston Arts Center, and the United Way organizations of Galveston Island and Mainland Galveston County.
She and her husband, Mike, own a commercial construction company, Unbehagen Construction/TUCON, LLC, and between them have four grown children and seven grandchildren.
