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 BYU’s 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 BYU’s medical school, noting that the school would have an emphasis on international health issues and the Church’s 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 BYU’s campus and will offer Doctor of Medicine degrees (MDs).
“It’s a humbling and exciting honor to join Brigham Young University as the inaugural dean of its new medical school,” Ott said of the appointment. “BYU’s 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 surgery’s 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 bachelor’s 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.
