Voices of U of U Health
Monthly Momentos: April 2026
This ongoing blog series celebrates people, milestones, and achievements from across our health system. Content is adapted from monthly updates shared with the University of Utah Board of Trustees.
The James LeVoy Sorenson Center for Medical Innovation officially opens, breaking ground on a new AirMed hanger, unlocking secrets of human development, and more April highlights.
Kudos
- Qualtrics’ health care and life sciences practice selected University of Utah Health as its 2025 Healthcare Innovator for using Better U survey technology in innovative ways to create a thriving workplace and improve faculty and staff well-being.
- Three U of U Health faculty were elected as fellows of the Council of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science for advancing their fields through research, leadership, and mentorship: Hilary Coon, PhD, Benning Endowed Presidential Professor of Psychiatry; David Grunwald, PhD, Helen Lowe Bamberger Colby Presidential Endowed Chair of Human Genetics; and Chris Hill, DPhil, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Vice Dean of Research for the School of Medicine. - Jim Sibthorp, PhD, a professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, was named a Distinguished Researcher by the Academy of Leisure Sciences, for his leadership in research focused on youth development, outdoor recreation programs, and experential education.
- Kristina Callis Duffin, MD, MS, dean for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, and Jessica Walsh, MD, associate professor of internal medicine and adjunct associate professor of dermatology, were honorees at the 2026 Commit to the Cure Gala for their contributions to advancing the mission of curing psoriatic disease and improving the lives of those affected.
- Christian Sherwood, MA, system chief human resources officer, was recognized among Ragan’s Top Women in HR, Class of 2026 for driving strategic change that elevates employee experience. Additionally, Becker’s Hospital Review named Sherwood to its list of 2026 “CHROs and Chief People Officers to Know,” for her leadership in workforce strategy, culture, and talent development.
- Becker’s Hospital Review named Sachin Apte, MD, chief clinical officer of Huntsman Cancer Institute and physician-in-chief of the cancer hospital, and Donna Roach, MS, system chief digital information officer for U of U Health, to its list of 2026 “Great Leaders in Healthcare.” This list recognizes leaders with the vision to see what’s possible and the resolve to pursue it.
- Becker’s Healthcare named the College of Nursing Simulation Center at U of U Health to its list of its 2026 “Simulation and Education Programs to Know,” for creating a realistic, controlled learning environment for clinicians and trainees to build and refine essential health care skills.
- Mingnan Chen, PhD, principal investigator for the Laboratory of Immunotherapeutics in the College of Pharmacy, received an NIH R01 award to study antibody-based therapies in type 1 diabetes and autoimmune disease, advancing understanding of treatment mechanisms and therapeutic design.
Leadership Announcements
- Following a nationwide search, Kristina Callis Duffin, MD, MS, was named dean for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine and chief academic physician for University of Utah Health. She served as interim dean in 2025, leading strategic alignment across clinical care, education, and research, while prioritizing faculty engagement and well-being.
- Dan Witt, PharmD, was appointed interim dean of the College of Pharmacy. He succeeds Randy Peterson, PhD, who served as dean for more than nine years and will return to service as a professor of pharmacology and toxicology.
- To support the expansion of regional medical education, the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine appointed Michelle Hofmann, MD, MPH, as senior associate dean for Rural, Underserved, and Regional Medical Education, and Reed Nelson, MD, MPH, as associate dean for the Southern Utah Regional Medical Campus.
- Kensaku (Ken) Kawamoto, MD, PhD, MHS, was appointed inaugural chief health AI transformation officer for University of Utah Health. He leads efforts to advance artificial intelligence (AI) across the health system, driving innovation that enhances patient care, operational performance, research, and education.
- Sean Overton, MD, MBA, was named senior vice chair for clinical operations and performance for the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine. He guides strategic clinical operations, enhance collaboration across teams, and support high-quality, reliable perioperative care throughout the health system.
Achievements in Clinical Care
- U of U Health, in partnership with Mortenson, broke ground on a new AirMed hangar at Salt Lake City International Airport. The hangar features sustainable design, energy-efficient systems, and optimized space for aircraft maintenance and crew readiness. The 20,000-square-foot facility will expand critical care transport capacity and improve response times across the Mountain West.
- Huntsman Mental Health Institute released its FY25 Annual Report, highlighting continued growth in access, research, and develo ment. The institute served 62,533 unique patients, reached individuals in 28 of Utah’s 29 counties and 46 states, and handled more than 80,000 contact center calls.
Achievements in Education
- Although dental residencies are optional, 26 of 50 students in the School of Dentistry Class of 2026 matched into competitive programs nationwide. Across all graduating classes, the school maintains a 90% residency placement rate.
- The College of Nursing successfully completed accreditation review for its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate programs, meeting all standards and receiving strong commendation from evaluators.
- The Center for Medical Innovation hosted its 16th annual Bench to Bedside Competition in the newly dedicated James LeVoy Sorenson Center for Medical Innovation. Nearly 200 students across 50 multi-disciplinary teams competed for funding to bring their medical innovations to life.
- The Eccles Health Sciences Library continues to expand access to evidence-based care through its PubMed Free Full Text program, supporting 591 Utah physicians in 2025. The program enables community-based providers to access peer-reviewed research, strengthening clinical decision-making and quality of care across the state.
Achievements in Research & Innovation
- University of Utah Health dedicated the James LeVoy Sorenson Center for Medical Innovation, a 60,000-square-foot facility designed to accelerate research, medical device development, and life sciences training. The center brings clinicians, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs together in a single space to rapidly translate ideas into patient care, further strengthening Utah’s position as a national leader in medtech and innovation.
- A study led by Adam Bress, PharmD, MS, professor of population health sciences, evaluated the real-world performance of smart watch-based hypertension alerts. The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, identified variability in accuracy based on population characteristics, providing important insight into how tools may be used effectively in broader clinical and public health settings.
- Researchers led by Xiaoxu Yang, PhD, assistant professor of genetics, in collaboration with Keng Ioi Vong, PhD, and Joseph Gleeson, MD, from UC San Diego, found that nerve cells in the developing embryo commit to specialized roles much earlier than previously believed: within the first few weeks of development. Their findings, published in Nature, challenge longstanding assumptions in biology and open new pathways for understanding and treating congenital neurological disorders and other childhood diseases.
- A study led by Chris Depner, PhD, assistant professor of health and kinesiology, found that sleep extension interventions in adults with insufficient sleep improved sleep quality, increased REM sleep, and reduced daytime sleepiness. The findings, published in Sleep Advances, provide a foundation for future interventions aimed at reducing cardiometabolic disease risk.
- University of Utah Health’s Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center (TBICC) partnered with nonprofit 22 Jumps, founded by veteran Tristan Wimmer, to strengthen research focused on traumatic brain injury and PTSD in veterans and first responders. Led in part by Carrie Esopenko, PhD, associate professor of neurology, the collaboration integrates veterans directly into the research process, ensuring studies are shaped by lived experience and accelerating more meaningful, real-world impact.
Community Collaboration
- Proxima Careers, a University of Utah–launched benefit company, received $450,000 in state funding to expand training pathways into high-demand health care roles. The funds will directly support University of Utah Health’s workforce strategy, led by Proxima President Rich Saunders. The program focuses on the West Valley community, connecting residents to education, mentorship, and rapid certification programs that open doors to meaningful careers while helping U of U Health build a more sustainable, community-rooted workforce.