University of Utah Health issued several press releases throughout 2022 detailing medical research, organizational developments, and public health updates. These announcements covered topics ranging from pandemic-related health trends to new facility developments and clinical milestones.
In medical research, studies highlighted a 50% increase in gun injuries in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, researchers investigated how COVID-19 may increase stroke risks in children and found that mRNA vaccines significantly reduce the severity of Delta and Omicron infections. Other research efforts explored the genetic components of autism through brain-like organoids and investigated how stillbirth risks can be passed down through male relatives.
Significant organizational milestones were reported, including the Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital receiving a Center of Excellence designation in Rehabilitation Services. The University of Utah also broke ground on a new $185 million facility for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. Furthermore, the Huntsman Mental Health Institute announced it would receive $7 million in public and private funds to expand mental health services for Utahns.
The university also introduced new services and initiatives, such as a Spanish-language version of the MyChart patient portal and a scholarship initiative for first-year PharmD students entering the program in Fall 2023. The SafeUT app reported exceeding 1 million chats during the 2021-22 fiscal year.
Other developments included the appointment of Michael L. Good, MD, as Chair of the AAMC Alliance of Academic Health Centers and Gina R. Hawley as Chief Operating Officer for University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics, effective January 3, 2023.
