University of Utah Health celebrated several major milestones in September 2026, including 25 years as Utah's first nationally verified Level 1 trauma center and 40 years of operations at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. The health system also earned high national rankings for quality and brand reputation during the month.
National Quality and Leadership Recognition
The University of Utah Health system achieved significant national recognition in 2026. According to a September 30, 2026, report from University of Utah Health, the system ranked No. 8 of 122 participating comprehensive academic medical centers in the 2026 Vizient Quality and Accountability Study. The system also ranked No. 5 nationally for ambulatory care quality and accountability.
Additionally, University of Utah Health was named among a select group of organizations to receive the 2026 Best in Brand Award from NRC Health, which recognizes the highest brand perception and reputation. Danielle Sample, MPH, who serves as chief of staff to the executive vice president for Health Sciences and CEO of University of Utah Health, was named one of Becker’s Healthcare’s 2026 Rising Star Health Care Leaders Under 40 for her work in advancing systemwide strategy and integration.
Trauma and Mental Health Milestones
The month of September 2026 marked significant anniversaries for specialized care within the health system. University of Utah Health celebrated 25 years of service as Utah's first nationally verified Level 1 trauma center. The institution's leadership in trauma care is credited with helping more than 38 additional Utah hospitals become verified trauma centers and join a coordinated statewide trauma system.
Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) also celebrated 40 years of providing evidence-based mental health services. The institute, which was established in 2021 following a $150 million gift from the Huntsman Foundation, has spent four decades expanding access and pioneering programs ranging from statewide crisis support to innovative treatments for complex conditions.
Clinical and Research Achievements
The UTAH Cardiac Transplant Program also reached a 40-year milestone in September 2026. The program has completed more than 2,000 life-saving heart transplants through a unique consortium of four partner hospitals that advances heart transplantation and advanced heart failure care across the Mountain West.
In research and clinical leadership, Rana Jawish, MD, an assistant professor of psychiatry and psychiatrist at Huntsman Mental Health Institute, received a five-year, $1 million NIH K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award from the National Institute on Drug Use (NIDA). The award will fund research into using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a treatment for methamphetamine use disorder during pregnancy.
Expansion of Mental Health Services
The expansion of mental health services in Utah has been a long-term priority for the institution. In November 2022, the Huntsman Mental Health Institute announced it would receive $7 million in public and private funds to expand mental health crisis services. This included $3.5 million from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and $3.5 million from Salt Lake County.
These funds were designated for the construction of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Integrated Healing and Innovation Center within the Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center. The facility was designed to provide legal support, case management, medical and dental support, and mental wellness counseling.
Youth Inpatient Services
Huntsman Mental Health Institute provides specialized inpatient services for children and adolescents. The facility maintains four youth inpatient units with a total of 66 beds to treat patients aged 4 to 17.
These inpatient services are designed to stabilize patients facing psychiatric crises and provide long-term care plans. The institute utilizes a multi-disciplinary care model that includes psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and expressive therapists.
Leadership Transitions
New leadership appointments were also announced for the health system. Laura B. Dunn, MD, was named chair of the Department of Psychiatry and will serve as chief scientific officer for Huntsman Mental Health Institute and executive director and physician-in-chief of the mental health hospital.
Additionally, Christy Jarvis, MLS, was named interim associate dean and executive director of the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, effective Jan. 1, 2027. She succeeds Catherine Soehner, BSN, MLS, who concluded 15 years of leadership at the University of Utah.
