How Hundreds of Volunteers Are Assisting BYU in Launching Its Medical School Michelle Budge,

Tad Walch covers religion with a focus on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Brigham Young University (BYU) is establishing a medical school to train future doctors amidst a growing national shortage of healthcare professionals. Yet, there’s no lack of eager physicians ready to contribute to the faculty or support the school’s creation.

The medical school, which was announced in July, currently employs three staff members, but this small team represents only a fraction of the extensive efforts underway.

BYU President Shane Reese and the founding dean, Dr. Mark Ott, have brought in national experts, formed an advisory council for the School of Medicine, and set up 15 working groups with 140 advisors.

Additionally, they’ve laid the groundwork for a key partnership with Intermountain Health, which has already committed significant resources to ensure the success of the new school. This includes lending two executives to BYU full-time during the development phase.

Brigham Young University Medical School Dean Dr. Mark Ott poses for a photo in a conference room in the Abraham O Smoot Building on the BYU campus in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Reese and Ott report that since the announcement by the chairman and vice-chairmen of the BYU Board of Trustees—who also hold leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the church that sponsors BYU— they have received overwhelming support. President Russell M. Nelson, a former heart surgeon, along with his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring, have been at the forefront of this initiative.

“I’ve communicated with over 1,000 individuals since becoming dean,” Ott shared with the Deseret News. He has consulted with many of them and invited numerous individuals to join working groups that tackle everything from curriculum to faculty and IT systems.

The majority of those involved are volunteering their time to assist the school during its startup phase—an enormous task in Ott’s words—while continuing their current jobs. “It’s hundreds and hundreds of people offering their help,” Ott remarked. “These are exceptionally talented individuals from across the nation who are genuinely excited about this opportunity.”

Others are eager to apply for positions at BYU.

Brigham Young University President Shane Reese, left, and BYU Medical School Dean Dr. Mark Ott, right, speak before a photo shoot in the Abraham O Smoot Building on the BYU campus in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

“We’ve been overwhelmed with applicants,” Reese has said.

“Hiring at BYU is a unique process,” Dr. Ott noted, mentioning the numerous candidates for key positions such as senior associate dean of academics and assistant dean of finance and administration. These positions are progressing through various stages of the hiring process.

“We’ll never struggle to fill a position, that much I can promise,” Ott assured. “We’ve even had non-members of our faith apply for these roles, and I’ve had enlightening conversations with them about what it means to work at BYU. People both in and outside the church are eager to join us.”

A Complex Endeavor

Ott likened the medical school’s early stages to a sports team that has a roster full of top-tier talent.

“It’s like having 40 first-round draft picks. These are the best of the best, and they want to be here at BYU,” he said.

Interestingly, Dr. Andrew Stacey, a former BYU football player, is on the advisory council. Dr. Ott faces “a monumental challenge,” as described by Dr. Stacey, an associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology.

“I can’t imagine being in his position. I’m grateful he’s taking it on. It seems daunting. At the very least, I want to help him by offering ideas, solving problems, and figuring out the best solutions,” Dr. Stacey said, reflecting on his time as a member of BYU’s football team from 2000 and again from 2003 to 2006 after his church mission.

Dr. Ott acknowledged the immense pressure.

“It’s the most complex puzzle I’ve ever encountered,” he said, “but every time we need help, the right person or opportunity appears.”

A BYU-Intermountain Health Partnership Amid Urgent Demand

The first person to physically join Dr. Ott was Dustin Matsumori, vice president of corporate development at Intermountain Health. For the first few months, Matsumori and Ott were the only two individuals working on the project.