Voices of U of U Health
Scholarship as Service: Richard Keller’s Enduring Contribution to Medical Education
By Ben Chan, MD, MBA, Med
The admissions committee at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah spends hundreds of hours every year reviewing applications from hopeful medical students. This immersive, mission-guided work helps us select the best candidates for our program. It also lets us get to know our committee members on a deeper level.
One colleague, in particular, continues to be a guiding influence on me and our students. I first met Richard Keller, MD, when he volunteered to serve on the admissions committee. I was immediately drawn to his warmth, humor, and genuine curiosity—especially when it came to our pool of talented applicants.
A well-known radiologist, student advocate, and philanthropist, Dr. Keller has a gift for seeing the potential in everyone. He makes it possible for more of our students to have the support and opportunities they need to achieve their goals.
A Tradition of Hard Work and Service
The more time I spent with Dr. Keller, the more I came to understand what shapes his values. He was raised in Ogden, Utah, as the child of a single mother. Time and money were tight, and getting an education wasn’t an easy road. Yet even as a teenager, he demonstrated remarkable resilience and tenacity.
After being diagnosed with rheumatic fever, he spent much of high school confined to bed, completing coursework on his own. Doctors told him a heart defect would shorten his life and advised him to seek a low-activity occupation. True to form, Dr. Keller did not view this as a limitation, but as a challenge.
He found his calling in radiology. It was a practical choice, but also a purposeful one. Sitting at a desk and reading films would let him contribute to life-saving decisions for patients while preserving his own health.
With diligent work and scholarship aid, Dr. Keller completed his undergraduate degree at Weber State University, followed by a medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He returned to Utah to complete his residency at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He went on to establish radiology departments at the former Cottonwood and Alta View hospitals for Intermountain Health.
Dr. Keller retired in 1996, in part to become a caretaker for his wife, and later one of his sons—both battling terminal cancer. He would later endure the loss of another son in a fatal accident. Somehow, amid such deep personal loss, Dr. Keller found renewed purpose, devoting himself even more earnestly to serving and uplifting others.
Giving Utah a Competitive Edge Through Scholarship Support
While working together on the admissions committee, I have ample opportunity to observe Dr. Keller’s remarkable ability to ease tension and connect with students. His sense of humor, empathy, and sincerity leaving a lasting impression on everyone he meets.
Creating opportunities for students is important to Dr. Keller. It’s frustrating to lose great students to other schools due to lack of scholarship support. Dr. Keller realized one key way to make a difference was to offer more competitive financial assistance for our top medical school applicants.
Dr. Keller and his wife, Jean, collaborated with the university to establish the Richard H. and Joann O. Keller Endowed Scholarship in the School of Medicine. This recruitment-based award for top applicants has inspired a community of future physicians fondly called the “Keller Kids.”
Dr. Keller also recognizes the importance of giving back and hopes to make an enduring contribution to the community. He pays close attention to the students’ personal essays, especially those working to overcome adversity. He connects with, and prioritizes, supporting students who display resilience and determination. The scholarship he created is his way of paying it forward and teaching those students to do the same.
What began as a generous gift eventually became something much more. Being personally involved and getting to know each student is important to Dr. Keller. He continues to meet with scholarship recipients at annual luncheons, hearing their stories and offering encouragement. He listens closely to their goals, shares his perspective (often with a dose of humor), and treats each student as a valued peer.
A Tradition of Opening Doors
The Richard H. and Joann O. Keller Endowed Scholarship was created with a deep understanding of the evolving challenges students face. As tuition, housing, and other expenses rise, financial barriers can often derail even the most promising careers. Keller Scholars not only receive funding to ease these burdens, but also inherit a legacy rooted in compassion, perseverance, and a shared love of medicine.
Dr. Keller is deeply invested in recruiting medical students from all backgrounds, ensuring they have the means necessary to complete their training at the U. The scholarship recognizes outstanding applicants while affirming their potential to make meaningful change in medicine and beyond.
Reflections from Scholarship Recipient Monica-Rae Owens, MD Candidate, MS3
Before medical school, I worked as a surgical technologist in the operating rooms at the University of Utah. I loved being part of the team, and over time, I found myself asking more questions about my patients, their diagnoses, recoveries, and the bigger picture of their care. That curiosity led to the realization that I wanted to play a larger role in medicine. Growing up on a small island in Hawaiʻi, becoming a doctor wasn’t a common path, and the decision was terrifying. But it also felt like a calling. I knew it was something I needed to do.
Starting medical school was a big leap of faith. Stepping away from full-time work to focus on school was challenging for me and my family. My husband worked overtime and we faced the reality of student loans and child care costs. The Keller Endowed Scholarship was almost exactly the amount we pay for daycare each year. It felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.
More than financial support, the scholarship is evidence that someone believes in me. That belief changed how I saw myself. It reminded me that people want to see students like me succeed. It strengthened my motivation and my desire to give back. I’ve become passionate about mentoring the classes below me, encouraging them to take on leadership roles and stay engaged.
Some of my best experiences in medical school have come through the help and mentorship of others. I try to pay that forward through my involvement in student organizations like the Student Neurosurgery Group, and Medicine in Motion, where we focus on combating physician burnout through movement and community.
Receiving the Keller Endowed Scholarship reminded me I’m not doing this alone. I’m incredibly honored to be included in this impressive group of students. That support has been life-changing for me and my family. It’s something I will carry with me throughout my life and career.
Reflections from Scholarship Recipient Genae Christensen, MD Candidate, MS3
The Keller Endowed Scholarship is an incredible gift that gave me the freedom to pursue my dream of becoming a physician. Starting medical school in my 30s has been a major transition for me and my family. With two growing boys, ages 13 and 7, the financial strain of this journey could have been overwhelming. This scholarship has eased a tremendous financial burden on our household—now and for years to come—by helping me avoid significant loan debt and interest.
I was accepted to multiple medical schools, but Utah became the clear choice. This scholarship didn’t just make it possible—it sent a message that said, “We believe in you, and we’re willing to invest in your potential.” That belief continues to motivate me every day.
Meeting Dr. Keller and his daughter, Christena, made the experience even more meaningful. They took a genuine interest in me, my goals, and the challenges I face as a nontraditional student and a mother. Their warmth and sincerity reflected a deep understanding of the student experience.
Dr. Keller shared something that has stayed with me. He said he had noticed the strength of the women in this year’s class, adding, “We need strong women.” Those words resonated deeply with me. I intend to honor that strength throughout my medical career, both through my practice and by paying it forward to others.
Paying It Forward
Dr. Keller and his family embody the true spirit of giving back, investing resources, time, and compassion in the next generation of physicians. For Dr. Keller, and the many students who have been uplifted by his example, the Richard H. and Joann O. Keller Endowed Scholarship represents more than financial support. It is a powerful affirmation of trust, encouragement, and shared purpose. Every “Keller Kid” carries with them the knowledge that a community stands behind them, believing in their potential and celebrating their growth.
Dr. Keller’s enduring commitment to others inspires each scholarship recipient to follow in his footsteps. As they become mentors and leaders in their own right, they perpetuate the legacy of generosity and empowerment the Keller family set in motion.
