COMMUNITY IMPACT

Utah’s hospitals are more than healthcare providers—they’re essential partners in building strong communities. Explore stories and initiatives highlighting how hospitals support public health, economic development, and the well-being of Utah’s residents.

U of U Health and Salt Lake City Fire Share Wildfire Safety Guidance

U of U Health and Salt Lake City Fire Share Wildfire Safety Guidance

The Big Picture Utah’s wildfire season is putting communities across the state on high alert — including areas along the Wasatch Front and near the University of Utah. Recent fires have served as a reminder that wildfire preparedness is not just about protecting...

How Utahns Can Stay Safe During Extreme Heat This Weekend

How Utahns Can Stay Safe During Extreme Heat This Weekend

The Big Picture Utahns are facing a stretch of extreme heat this weekend, with temperatures across the state expected to reach or exceed 105 degrees. Intermountain Health emergency medicine physicians are urging people to take the forecast seriously and make a plan to...

How Intermountain Health Uses Research to Improve Maternity Care

How Intermountain Health Uses Research to Improve Maternity Care

Why it matters: U.S. News and World Report recently recognized 26 Intermountain Health hospitals as high performing in maternity care. That kind of consistency across so many hospitals doesn't just happen. The big picture: Dr. Sean Esplin, senior medical director of...

Intermountain Health first Utah transplant program to perform 500+ organ transplants in one year

The big picture: Intermountain Health's Transplant Program performed 515 organ transplants in 2025—the most ever completed by a Utah transplant program in a single year. Why...

UHA Legislative Update: Week 3

The bottom line: As Utah lawmakers move into Week 3 of the 45-day legislative session, budget cuts, particularly to Medicaid, are dominating conversations at the Capitol,...

Behind the Scenes: How Blood Samples Are Powering Dementia Research

The big picture: A $21.6 million NIH-funded study at University of Utah Health is examining how blood pressure management may influence dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and...

Family Physicians: The Backbone of Rural Maternal Health in Utah

Why it matters: New workforce data reveals gaps in OB-GYN and certified nurse midwife coverage across rural Utah—leaving family physicians to provide most of the maternal...

Can Lowering Blood Pressure Protect Your Brain?

The big picture: University of Utah Health is leading a groundbreaking $21.6 million study to understand how controlling blood pressure might reduce the risk of Alzheimer's...

What to Watch at the 2026 Utah Legislative Session

The bottom line: Utah's 45-day legislative session begins today, and hospitals are bracing for major policy decisions on funding, workforce, and mental health care,...

Utah Achieves Nation’s Best RSV Protection Rate for Infants

Why it matters: Utah now ranks #1 nationally for protecting infants from RSV, following a coordinated education campaign by Intermountain Children's Health that helped...

AHA CEO: AI, Innovation, and Patient-Centered Care Key to Healthcare’s Future

American Hospital Association President and CEO Rick Pollack sees technological innovation and reimagined care delivery as critical paths forward for hospitals facing...

New UHA Board Chair Looks Ahead to 2026 with Unity and Purpose

The bottom line: Jason Wilson, the newly appointed Chair of the Utah Hospital Association's Board of Trustees, is setting a clear tone for 2026: when challenges mount,...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Utah Hospital Association

Why it matters: The holidays are more than celebration. They're a time to honor the healthcare workers who keep Utah's hospitals running, even on Christmas. The big picture:...

University of Utah Health Named Vizient 2025 Top Performer for Ambulatory Care

The big picture: University of Utah Health has been recognized as a Vizient 2025 Birnbaum Quality Leadership Top Performer for Ambulatory Care, one of only five facilities...

Charlton Park Reflects on Leadership as UHA Board Chair

Why it matters: Park's three-year tenure brought transformative wins for Utah hospitals, including hundreds of millions in new federal funding and critical legislative...

When Healing Meets Hope: The Festival of Trees Returns

Why it matters: This 55-year Utah tradition transforms holiday spirit into lifesaving support for children's healthcare, and this year, it's adding a powerful new way to...

U of U Health Ranks 8th Nationally in Quality Leadership

Why it matters: University of Utah Health has earned top-tier recognition for the 16th consecutive year, demonstrating sustained excellence in patient care and safety. The...

What Matters Most: AHA President Highlights Local Impact in Healthcare

KEY POINTS: Washington activity is important but community impact is paramount Hospitals are focused on financial sustainability and care transformation Efforts to increase...

Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake Celebrates 150 Years of Compassionate Care

The big picture: Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake marked its 150th anniversary with a celebration honoring its legacy of faith-based, inclusive healthcare and announcing...

Mobile Medical Unit Brings Care to Veterans Experiencing Homelessness

When you don't have reliable transportation, accessing healthcare becomes another challenge in an already difficult situation. For veterans experiencing homelessness in Salt...

Meeting Veterans Where They Are: Mobile Care in Action

Why it matters: With rising costs of housing, food, and healthcare, older veterans are facing increasing challenges accessing critical services. VA Salt Lake City Health...

VA’s Mobile Medical Unit Brings Healthcare to Homeless Veterans

THE BIG PICTURE: The VA Salt Lake City's Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (H-PACT) delivers flexible, coordinated care to veterans experiencing homelessness through their...

Mobile Medical Units Bring VA Care to Veterans Where They Are

Why it matters: VA Salt Lake City Health Care System’s mobile medical unit (MMU) delivers healthcare directly to veterans, regardless of their housing situation, breaking...

Utah’s First Pediatric Paired Liver Exchange Unites Two Families

The big picture: Utah families met face-to-face for the first time after being connected through the state's first pediatric paired liver exchange – a rare procedure that...

AHA President Rick Pollack Outlines Congressional Healthcare Priorities at UHA Conference

Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA), recently addressed attendees at the Utah Hospital Association's Annual Fall Learning Conference,...

Allen Barry Honored with Rural Hospital Trustee Service Award

Why it matters: Allen's nearly 20-year commitment to San Juan Hospital exemplifies the dedication needed to sustain rural healthcare facilities through challenges and...

Lakeview Hospital Trustee Kate Bradshaw Honored with UHA Service Award

Why it matters: Kate Bradshaw represents the deep community connections that make Utah's healthcare system exceptional, combining her professional expertise in government...

Dan Lundergan Honored with Distinguished Hospital Executive Award

Why it matters: Dan Lundergan's remarkable 50-year journey from laundry aide to CEO of University of Utah Health exemplifies exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment...