1 / 3

A sign for Brigham Young University on the corner of 150 East and University Parkway in Provo is pictured Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald file photo

2 / 3

This undated photo shows Mark Ott, the founding dean for Brigham Young University's new medical school.

Courtesy Intermountain Health

3 / 3

This undated photo shows Dustin Matsumori, the newly appointed managing director of medical school planning for the new Brigham Young University medical school.

Courtesy Intermountain Health

❮ ❯

There isn’t much known about Brigham Young University’s soon-to-be medical school that’s in the works, but leaders at the religious educational institution recently have filled a couple of key positions for the future facility.

Taking on the role of inaugural dean of BYU’s medical school is Dr. Mark Ott, a surgeon with Intermountain Health, who has held academic and affiliate appointments at Johns Hopkins, Harvard Medical School, Stanford School of Medicine and the University of Utah School of Medicine, BYU announced in a press release Thursday.

Ott comes with an approval from BYU’s board of trustees, according to the release.

The newly appointed dean, who doesn’t officially start his new job until next month, previously led the surgical departments at both Intermountain LDS Hospital and Intermountain Medical Center.

Ott also served as the medical director of the Intermountain Medical Center, Intermountain Health’s flagship hospital and hub of academic residencies, training and research, the release noted.

According to his bio, Ott has been with Intermountain Health since 2007.

Speaking about the new appointment, Ott says he’s humbled and excited for the opportunity.

“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 said in the release.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first announced plans for BYU’s medical school in July.

The school is set to have a major focus on international health issues and the church’s worldwide humanitarian efforts.

Details about where exactly the school would be located have yet to be disclosed to the public, though last month President C. Shane Reese said it will be built on BYU’s campus.

It’s also unknown when the medical school will open. Ott told the Deseret News that there’s a timeline of factors that will need to be met — indicating that, most likely, it’ll be at least two to three years before they hold any classes.

Work to develop a curriculum is ongoing, but Reese said the medical school will offer a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Leaders also are exploring ways to reduce graduation times and costs for students, he said in a release issued in September.

In regard to Ott, Reese praised his commitment to BYU’s spiritual mission and passion for service.

“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,” Reese said.

BYU also has tapped Dustin Matsumori, Intermountain Health’s vice president of corporate development, as managing director of medical school planning for BYU’s new medical school, a press release issued Friday said.

In his role, Matsumori will work closely with both Ott and Reese.

According to the release, Matsumori will remain employed by Intermountain Health as he works with BYU to plan, develop and establish the university’s medical school.

Matsumori called his new role a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity and “full-circle” moment, in a press release issued by Intermountain Health.

Born prematurely with hydrocephalus and an underdeveloped heart and lungs, Matsumori recalls doctors from Intermountain Health and Primary Children’s Hospital playing a vital role in his life and said he looks forward to being at the forefront of a new school producing doctors who will do the same.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with, and for, Intermountain, and I’m honored to now have the privilege to help BYU create a medical school that will train future generations of physicians who, in turn, will care for individuals and families both locally and internationally,” Matsumori said in the Intermountain Health release.

The hospital says both leaders will have an “exponential impact on BYU.”