W. Brett Graham, MBA, MPA, was appointed Institute President of Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah, effective immediately. Graham brings experience in health care strategy and operations to the role as he works to expand access to high-quality mental health care.
Graham had been serving as the interim CEO of the Institute since February 2025, during which time he guided strategic initiatives and enterprise operations.
In his role as president, Graham will oversee overall strategy and operations. He will work alongside the Institute’s leadership triad, including the chief administrative officer and the chair of the Department of Psychiatry, to ensure alignment between clinical care, research, education, and community engagement.
Graham expressed honor in serving as Institute president, stating that mental health care is essential health care and noting that the Institute is positioned to lead change through research and clinical care. He indicated a commitment to partnering with faculty, staff, and communities to expand access to evidence-based care.
Bob Carter, MD, PhD, executive vice president of health sciences and CEO for University of Utah Health, described Graham as a values-driven leader with the operational expertise required to guide the Institute's growth. Taylor Randall, president of the University of Utah, noted that Graham’s leadership experience would help accelerate work in integrating care and advancing the Institute as a national leader.
Prior to his time with University of Utah Health, Graham was a partner at Leavitt Partners. His previous professional roles included serving as chief operating officer at Meritain Health and vice president at Ingenix, which is part of UnitedHealth Group. At the University of Utah, he also previously served as chief strategy officer, leading the Impact 2030 strategy.
Graham holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah.
The Huntsman Mental Health Institute was established in 2021 following a $150 million gift from the Huntsman family. The institute integrates clinical care, research, and education to address mental health needs and builds upon the legacy of the Department of Psychiatry and the University Neuropsychiatric Institute.
