SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Brigham Young University announced Monday morning that it is planning to found a medical school, teaming up with Intermountain Health and collaborating with the University of Utah.
The announcement came from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the following statement:
Brigham Young University is committed to academic excellence in targeted graduate disciplines, traditionally focused on business and law. The First Presidency is pleased to announce the decision now to create a medical school at BYU. A major focus will be on international health issues affecting members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Church’s worldwide humanitarian efforts.
Plans for this medical school are underway, and specific target dates will be announced as they are set. It is envisioned that unlike many medical schools, the BYU medical school will be focused on teaching with research in areas of strategic importance to the Church. In time the school will draw students from within and outside the United States.
The BYU medical school will not create its own hospital or hospital system. BYU and Intermountain Health are discussing a mutually beneficial clinical relationship. Also, it is anticipated that the medical school will seek collaborative relationships with various entities in Utah, including the University of Utah.
First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7.29.24
University of Utah officials also released a statement discussing how the two programs will work together.
“[U of U] leaders affirm that BYU’s internationally-focused health education plans complement University of Utah Health’s state-focused mission and offer new opportunities to serve growing health care needs locally and around the world,” read the statement.
“In conversations with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’ve expressed the U’s support for this additional investment in medical education and have committed to work together to serve our unique communities,” said Taylor Randall, president of the University of Utah. “We will work with BYU and church leadership to lay the groundwork for a model collaboration that serves the needs of this state and provides critical health services to countries around the world.”
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