Spectrum: President’s Letter – Winter 2023

December 1, 2023

Thank you for taking the time to read this winter edition of ËÄÉ«AV University’s SpectRUm magazine. The past couple of months were memorable here at ËÄÉ«AV. Not only did we welcome new cohorts of students into our ËÄÉ«AV family, but we also celebrated all those – students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters — who contribute to making our university truly one-of-a-kind.

Our first-ever, week-long Homecoming celebration included events and activities, giving opportunities, and awards acknowledging our remarkable students, alumni, and employees. In this issue of SpectRUm, you will learn about five Alumni awarded for their contributions to their healthcare professions, and to ËÄÉ«AV and our current students. These are just a handful of those who have notable accomplishments. I was humbled to see our campus communities come together for this special week, and I look forward to Homecoming growing in the coming years with the opportunity to acknowledge more of the over 8,000 ËÄÉ«AV alumni who are transforming healthcare in Nevada, Utah, and across the country.

Speaking of awards, in this issue you will also read about Dr. Ryan Moffat, the College of ËÄÉ«AV Medicine’s Director of Public ËÄÉ«AV Sciences. Last month, he was honored as one of Utah’s ËÄÉ«AVcare Heroes, presented by Utah Business. Dr. Moffat spearheads many of the College of ËÄÉ«AV Medicine’s patient outreach efforts, including the annual Back to School Brush-upâ„¢, Give Kids a Smile®, and Give New Utahns a Smile. These events bring our dental faculty, students, and residents together to provide free dental care to thousands of Salt Lake City area families who are unable to afford dental care otherwise. We are proud of Dr. Moffat for leading these initiatives, among others, and we congratulate him for being honored among the top healthcare providers in Utah.

Finally, another notable ËÄÉ«AV faculty member profiled in this issue is Dr. Jamie Fairclough, the College of Medicine’s Associate Dean for Research Assessment & Evaluation. As data collection and analysis becomes more important, especially in higher education and healthcare, the expertise of people like Dr. Fairclough becomes invaluable for ËÄÉ«AV to carry out its mission to advance the health and wellness of the communities we serve by educating current and future generations of health professionals, conducting research, and providing patient care. Not only does Dr. Fairclough share her passion for data, but also how it can be transformative. I find it fascinating, and I believe you will too.

Thank you, again, for your interest in ËÄÉ«AV University as we continue to grow and make a positive impact in Nevada, Utah and beyond.

Renee Coffman
President