The University of Utah's Department of Internal Medicine has announced several recent faculty honors and research achievements. Notable recognitions include awards for Dr. Daniel Leung and Dr. Emily Spivak, alongside new appointments and research funding.
Dr. Daniel Leung, MD, MSc, has been selected to receive the 2025 Bailey K. Ashford Medal from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH). This award is one of the organization's highest honors for distinguished service. Additionally, the University of Utah's Office of Undergraduate Research named Dr. Leung the 2025 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor for his work in student mentorship.
Dr. Emily Spivak, MD, MHS, received the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Antibiotic Stewardship Scholarship Award during the IDWeek 2025 conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Meanwhile, Dr. Kimberly E. Hanson, MD, MHS, was appointed as the inaugural holder of the Spotswood and Joanne Spruance Endowed Chair within the Department of Internal Medicine.
Recent research funding includes three interdisciplinary teams in the Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Immunology Consortium (MAGIC) receiving seed grants to investigate how the microbiome affects health. Furthermore, the University of Utah researchers are leading public health response efforts following a $17.5M CDC grant and collaboration with Washington State University.
The University of Utah Health maintains various programs, including a transplant program covering solid organ, bone marrow, and living organ donor transplants. The department also operates an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program that provides resources for University Hospital staff.
