Donation leads to name change for University of Utah medical school

SALT LAKE CITY — The medical school at the University of Utah has a new name, after a $110 million donation from a familiar family name. 

In the future, the Utah medical school will bear the name of Spencer Fox Eccles, who spoke at the announcement on Wednesday. 

“This investment in the school of medicine is focused in every way on — you’ve got it — the future. The future,” he said. “But it also stands in every way on the shoulders of the giants of the past.” 

Utah medical school receives large gift

Two Eccles family foundations combined to offer the $110 million gift. Outgoing U of U President Ruth Watkins said the money will go toward scholarships, recruitment, research and a new medical building. 

“Which will ultimately benefit the citizens of Utah and throughout the Intermountain West with outstanding patient care that will treat those in need and save countless lives,” Watkins said. 

In addition to the new medical building, Eccles said the gift to the University of Utah will fund cardiovascular research.

Medical student Talisha Tausinga described the donation as both transformational and remarkable “by providing us access to cutting-edge technology to enhance our learning, by adding even more world-class faculty to train and to mentor us, and by alleviating the burdens of student debt.” 

Groundbreaking for the new medical building will take place this fall. 

More stories: 

• Student applications are up again at the University of Utah
• Grants will help Huntsman Mental Health Institute determine rural needs
• Artwork honoring COVID-19 frontline medical workers unveiled at Intermountain Medical Center

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