Department 50th Anniversary

50 Years of Elevating Anesthesia: Let's Reach New Peaks Together

Embarking on a momentous journey, our department is fueled by the enthusiasm emanating from the celebration of our 50th anniversary. This milestone is not merely a reflection of the past; rather, it serves as a springboard for a visionary initiative — a development campaign designed to shape the trajectory of anesthesia for the next 50 years.

50th Anniversary Celebration Gala

Past and present members of the Anesthesiology Department gathered for a 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration held on September 16, 2023 at the Grand America in Salt Lake City, Utah. Special guests included: keynote speaker, Stanford Professor Emeritus, Dr. Steven L. Shafer, ASA President, Dr. Randall Clark, CEO of University of Utah Health, Dean of the University of Utah School of Medicine, and the Senior Vice President of Health Sciences, Dr. Michael Good, Dean of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine (interim), Associate Vice President of Clinical Affairs, Dr. Sam Finalyson, and Professor Emeritus, 90-year-old Dr. Harry Wong and his family. Guests enjoyed music provided by the Utah Medical Orchestra, a cocktail hour in the courtyard, a delicious catered dinner, and short program which included the debut of a video celebrating the Anesthesiology Department’s accomplishments over the last 50 years.

Alumni, Faculty, Researchers and Staff Gather at a Gala

New Department Theme

Documentary Film & Gala Program

University of Utah Anesthesiology faculty and staff worked with producer, writer, and director Victor Shapiro and the One Light Pictures and Words production team to create a video highlighting the departments’ prolific entrepreneurial legacy, and its continuing efforts in advancing the clinical practice of anesthesiology.

Past and present members of the Anesthesiology Department gathered for a 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration held on September 16, 2023 at the Grand America in Salt Lake City, Utah.