The University of Utah has reached several significant milestones in 2026, including the dedication of the new $215 million Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. The state-of-the-art facility was designed to expand physician training and advance medical research and education.
University of Utah Health received national recognition from the American Heart Association for excellence in stroke care, earning the Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus and Target designations. Additionally, the institution was ranked 27th out of 243 U.S. research universities by the Cure Innovation Index for advancing health care through research.
In clinical achievements, University of Utah Health performed a record 50 lung transplants in 2025. The institution also received the 2024 Military Medicine Article of the Year award through a collaboration between researchers from the University of Utah and the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System.
Several leadership appointments were announced throughout the year. Kristina Callis Duffin, MD, MS, was named dean of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine and chief academic physician at University of Utah. Other appointments include:
Vivek K. Reddy, MD, MMM, as Chief Health Informatics Officer for University of Utah Health.
David B. Larson, MD, MBA, as Chair for the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences.
Torri D. Metz, MD, MS, as Co-Chair for the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Aaron J. Prussin, MD, as Chief Medical Ambulatory Officer for University of Utah Health Hospitals & Clinics.
W. Brett Graham, MBA, MPH, as Institute President of Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
Christopher M. Hull, MD, as Interim Chair for the Department of Dermatology.
Matthew T. Rondina, MD, MS, as Director of Translational Ventures within the Chief Innovation Office.
Michael Hales, MPA, as Chief Financial Officer for University of Utah Health Plans.
Other notable recognitions include Barbara Jones receiving a Fulbright Award to study pneumonia recovery via telehealth in Australia, and Dr. Amiko Uchida receiving a 2026 Young Physician-Scientist Award from ASCI. Additionally, professors Hilary Coon, David Grunwald, and Chris Hill were elected as AAAS Fellows.
