The Brigham Young University Board of Trustees has approved the BYU West Campus, site of the former Provo High School, as the location for the future BYU School of Medicine building. This site on the BYU campus is also located near Intermountain Healths Utah Valley Hospital.

BYUs relationship with Intermountain Health will provide important clinical training for future medical students. Clinical relationships with the University of Utah and other healthcare organizations will also provide for sites of clinical experience.

Since its announcement, the BYU School of Medicine has received tremendous interest, said BYU President C. Shane Reese. We appreciate the enthusiasm and support for the BYU School of Medicine from people and organizations across the world.

Dr. Mark J. Ott, inaugural dean of the BYU School of Medicine, added, Many deeply committed people are moving this work forward, directed by the vision put forward by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The former Provo High School located on the BYU West Campus is currently being used by the College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC). The planning and construction of the BYU School of Medicine building will not interfere with the operations of CFAC students, faculty and staff, who will remain at the former Provo High School until the new BYU Arts Building is completed.

The First Presidency announced plans for the BYU School of Medicine on July 29, 2024, emphasizing that the school of medicine would include training and research to address international health issues and support the Church of Jesus Christs worldwide humanitarian efforts.

In an update from President Reese on Sept. 4, 2024, it was announced that the BYU School of Medicine will offer a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD).

BYUs future medical school will provide a high quality, spiritually based program that reinforces the mission of BYU and the Church, President Reese said. While the work of developing curriculum takes time, Dean Ott and the team are exploring innovative approaches aimed at reducing graduation times and costs for students.

In addition to the building location, plans for the BYU School of Medicine continue to move forward at an ever-increasing pace. Updates can be found at https://news.byu.edu/medical-school

Brigham Young University has appointed Dustin Matsumori, Intermountain Healths vice president of corporate development, as managing director of medical school planning for BYUs new medical school.

In this role, Matsumori will work with President Shane Reese and BYUs newly appointed medical school dean, Dr. Mark Ott. While Matsumori works with BYU to plan, develop and establish the universitys medical school, he will continue to be employed by Intermountain Health.

Dustin brings a wealth of experience and expertise in healthcare, corporate development and project management to this position, President Reese said. He has played a pivotal role at Intermountain Health, where he has worked with internal and external teams on Intermountain Healths major capital projects. We appreciate the collaboration and tremendous support of Intermountain Health and look forward to working with Dustin.

With approval from its Board of Trustees, Brigham Young University has appointed Dr. Mark Ott as the inaugural dean of BYU's medical school.

An accomplished surgeon with Intermountain Health, Ott has held academic and affiliate appointments at Johns Hopkins, Harvard Medical School, Stanford School of Medicine and the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Ott comes to the role of dean having previously led the surgical departments at both Intermountain LDS Hospital and Intermountain Medical Center. He also served as the medical director of the Intermountain Medical Center, Intermountain Health's flagship hospital and hub of academic residencies, training and research.

Dr. Ott is a widely respected doctor, surgeon and leader who has worked and studied at the most highly regarded healthcare institutions in the world, said BYU President Shane Reese. More importantly, Dr. Ott has a deep commitment to BYUs spiritual mission and has lived a life of service and quiet devotion to the true master healer, Jesus Christ.

In July of 2024, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans for BYUs medical school, noting that the school would have an emphasis on international health issues and the Churchs worldwide humanitarian efforts. The First Presidency also said the medical school will have a teaching focus with research in areas of strategic importance to the Church. In September, President Reese said the new medical school will be located on BYUs campus and will offer Doctor of Medicine degrees (MDs).

Its a humbling and exciting honor to join Brigham Young University as the inaugural dean of its new medical school, Ott said of the appointment. BYUs medical school will provide students with a topflight medical education as well as an enduring appreciation that their talents and training are gifts from God for the benefit of the world.

Ott is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the department of surgerys faculty teacher of the year award at the University of Utah and the Intermountain Health Lifetime Achievement Award for extraordinary service to medicine.

Ott holds a bachelors degree and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Utah. He served his medical internship and residency in general surgery at Johns Hopkins, where he was also a research and clinical fellow specializing in surgical oncology.

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued the following announcement:

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 Churchs 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.