BYU President C. Shane Reese sent an early morning email update to members of the campus community on Sept. 5 regarding the future BYU medical school.
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the new medical school in late July 2024.
While a specific location for the new building has yet to be announced, President Reese said the new building will be located on the BYU campus in Provo.
“The location will include classroom instruction and an administrative center,” he said in the email.
President Reese explained the new medical school’s “high quality, spiritually based” program will offer students the opportunity to attain a Doctor of Medicine degree. He said that while the program’s curriculum is still in the making, innovative efforts are being made to reduce the amount of time and money future students will need to invest in the program.
The Church’s announcement in late July stated BYU would not be establishing a new hospital in conjunction with the new medical school. President Reese addressed this statement in his update and explained that clinical training will happen in various off-campus hospital locations.
“Conversations between Intermountain Health, the University of Utah and others have been productive regarding the prospect of clinical collaborations,” President Reese said.
President Reese stated the program will focus on researching issues important to the Church of Jesus Christ, “including international health issues affecting members of the Church and the Church’s worldwide humanitarian efforts.”
He said work to establish a medical advisory team is underway as plans for the school continue to expand.
In closing, President Reese expressed his gratitude for the “enthusiasm and outpouring of support” for the work in progress.
“Jesus Christ healed the sick and served those in need,” President Reese said. “As disciples of Jesus Christ, we believe BYU’s medical school is another way to lift God’s children.”