In Conversation

This is a first role for you as the alumni association president. What do you hope to accomplish in your tenure? What will define success for you?

My goal is to increase the loyalty of alumni from the School of Medicine—at all stages of their career—so they can be public relations ambassadors for the school. I want to help the board continue to be active and engaged, and I want to see the alumni association support the School of Medicine’s administration. We want to assist in the new curriculum, for example, and help recruit qualified volunteers to work in those areas. Finally, I want to support our current students and provide programs that will augment their education. We really want to leverage the expertise of our alumni already out in the field so they might share their expertise with our students and make connections that will last entire careers.

What drew you to this work?

I am a proud University of Utah alum in the first degree. I got my bachelor’s degree and my medical doctor degree here. I did my residency and my fellowship here. I was on the full-time faculty for a while, and I’ve been an adjunct professor in the Department of OB/GYN my entire career. My work for the board is my way of giving back for a great career and a great education.

The medical school will soon have a new home. What makes you excited about the move to the new facility?

I was a freshman in ’71, and what was then the new medical school had opened in ’65—so it was almost brand new. I certainly have memories of medical school there, clinical years, residency. It is nostalgic right now, but we move on—and I’m excited for the future. The new building houses simulation centers, classrooms, new technology—the whole shootin’ match is just unbelievable. The new space will allow the alumni association to work more directly with students and faculty, and it will allow us to welcome alumni back to the school for events and collaboration. It is going to be a multi-use facility where we can gather in groups and really make a difference, but the primary purpose is education—and it’s going to be world-class.

You have witnessed a lot of health care’s evolution in your 48-year career.

The University of Utah medical school has always been a top-notch institution. I go back to the days I had Dr. Maxwell Wintrobe and Dr. Louis Goodman as professors. They were absolute giants, and they set the stage before I came along. Then throughout my career, the medical school has continued to support and produce fabulous research and clinical training. At some medical schools there are departments that are stronger than others, but I don’t think there’s an area at the University of Utah that I’m aware of that doesn’t excel in what it does. It’s just phenomenal.

During my long career with the school, I’ve seen a lot of advances in how we teach. We’ve seen clinical improvements as well as improvements in techniques and medications. The great research and education that takes place at the school will continue, and the alumni association wants to be a key player in supporting it.