SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July 29, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The University of Utah on Monday reacted to LDS Church‘s public announcement of a planned medical school at Brigham Young University, and a collaboration with U of U Health.
“The University of Utah received news today from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that the church will establish a new private, faith-affiliated medical school at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah focused on international health issues affecting their members and the faith’s worldwide humanitarian efforts,” the University of Utah Health statement says.
“The U plans to actively pursue collaboration opportunities with the Church of Jesus Christ and BYU in medical education and clinical care.
“University leaders affirm that BYU’s internationally-focused health education plans complement University of Utah Health’s state-focused mission and offer new opportunities to serve growing health care needs locally and around the world.”
The University of Utah is also expanding its health education resources with its new state-of-the-art home for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, which will be completed in early 2026, the statement says.
“In addition, the U is planning a regional medical campus in St. George Utah where students will receive clinical training in partnership with Intermountain Health and Utah Tech University. These southwest Utah plans will be discussed further in the 2025 General Legislative Session.
“The combination of the U’s medical school expansion and the church’s announcement today will ensure that in the rapidly growing and changing field of medicine Utahns continue to benefit from excellent teaching, research, and clinical expertise.”
U of U President Taylor Randall shared thoughts in the released statement.
“In conversations with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’ve expressed the U’s support for this additional investment in medical education and have committed to work together to serve our unique communities,” his statement says. “We will work with BYU and church leadership to lay the groundwork for a model collaboration that serves the needs of this state and provides critical health services to countries around the world.
“With a new medical school in the state, the U and BYU can strive to meet existing and future health care professional shortages, provide more opportunities for aspiring medical providers and contribute to the health care needs of patients in our region and around the globe.”
Michael Good, U of U senior Vice President, said “For nearly 120 years, the University of Utah has been committed to providing top-tier medical education and research.
“The U’s medical training, patient care and research helps Utahns and others in our service area live healthier, longer and better lives. We look forward to working together to accelerate our collective societal impact.”
Sam Finlayson, interim dean of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, also shared views:
“Current enrollment numbers at the U highlight the high demand for medical education in our region,” he said in the news release. “The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine receives well over 2,000 applications for just 125 positions in each medical school class, highlighting the high demand for medical education in our region and the need to expand the state’s educational infrastructure.”
