University of Utah Health is undergoing a significant transformation as it positions itself to meet the growing healthcare needs of the state.
With Utah’s population projected to increase by over 500,000 in the next decade, coupled with a thriving economy, there is a rising demand for high-quality and accessible healthcare services.
Bob S. Carter, MD, PhD, emphasized the critical nature of this moment, referring to it as an inflection point for the organization, presenting both tremendous opportunities and complex challenges.
To address these challenges, U of U Health is transitioning from a single-site academic medical center to an integrated health system that encompasses a broader regional footprint.
New facilities such as the future University of Utah Hospital and Health Campus in West Valley, along with the Huntsman Cancer Institute’s new Comprehensive Cancer Center in Vineyard, are being developed to expand access to care.
Additionally, partnerships with organizations such as Intermountain Health, CommonSpirit, and HCA are enhancing patient access to U of U Health’s specialized expertise.
To effectively manage this transformative change, new leadership roles have been established within the organization.
Sam Finlayson, MD, MPH, MBA, will be stepping into the role of System Chief Clinical Officer, after serving as interim dean of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.
Dan Lundergan, MHA, will take on the role of System Chief Operating Officer while continuing his position as CEO of Hospitals & Clinics.
Charlton Park, MBA, will serve as System Chief Financial and Analytics Officer, while Erica Bisson, MD, MPH, is appointed as the System Chief Medical Officer.
Together, these leaders will guide the organization’s transformation, with feedback from diverse teams playing a crucial role in shaping the strategy.
At the heart of this evolution is a commitment to prioritizing people—whether they be patients, students, or staff.
Carter acknowledged the various pressures faced by the organization, including cuts to federal research funding, workplace well-being, and increasing patient demands.
Through these challenges, he emphasized the importance of a shared purpose: to improve the health and well-being of communities, which should serve as a guiding light for all members of the organization.
Recognizing that individuals respond to change in different ways, the leadership team is dedicated to fostering a culture of open communication where all team members feel safe to voice their opinions and make contributions to decision-making.
A new initiative, the Made Better by You campaign, has been launched to highlight the personal stories behind the work at U of U Health, celebrating the contributions of individuals such as “Hot Rod” Thomas, who has dedicated over three decades to keeping hospital rooms clean, and scientists like TingTing Hong, MD, PhD, whose research aims to reverse heart failure.
These stories reflect the core of the community and encapsulate what it means to be part of U of U Health as they build a future-ready academic health system.
Every member of the U of U Health community plays an essential role in the ongoing evolution towards becoming a fully integrated health system.
Amid the challenges that lie ahead, there is a collective optimism for an exciting future, one that will be shaped collaboratively.
For the third consecutive year, Utah has been ranked as the Best State in America.
Moreover, U of U Health has maintained its position as the state’s leading health system for over a decade, known for providing access to cutting-edge care and innovation throughout the Mountain West and beyond.
Despite challenges approaching, the organization is determined to navigate this pathway together with a united purpose.
image source from：https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/notes/2025/06/building-bold-future-university-of-utah-healths-vision-2030-and-beyond
