As of February 10, 2026, the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine has officially been renamed the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health (FMPH), finalizing the process of restructuring the department that began two years ago.
During this time, the department implemented significant and strategic changes, from the realignment of divisions to the integration of community clinic providers. The new name represents the final step in the transformation.
“We are proud to move forward under a name that clearly reflects both of our divisions—the Division of Family & Community Medicine and the Division of Public Health—and the shared direction of our work,” said Department Chair John Barrett, MD.
Building on a strong foundation
The department was established in 1970 as the Department of Community and Family Medicine following a recommendation from a Utah state government committee, which identified the need for a dedicated department at the University of Utah to study medical care and public health and to train family medicine physicians and mid-level practitioners.
In 1984, under the leadership of second chair F. Marian Bishop, PhD, MSPH, the department became known as the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine. Over the next four decades, the department expanded in scope, expertise, and community impact, building a strong foundation in research, education, and clinical care—work that continues to guide the department today.
Advancing care and community health together
“The new name represents the key interplay between primary care medicine and the health of our communities,” said Family & Community Medicine Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs Matthew Johnson, MD. “We are dedicated to bringing high-value healthcare to the communities in which we live, and studying the most effective ways to improve health in those communities."
“Public Health has been a key part of the department for over 50 years. It is gratifying to see the strong partnership between Family Medicine and Public Health. Efforts and research spanning the continuum from primary care to primary prevention are now reflected in our department name,” said Public Health Division Chief Jim VanDerslice, PhD.
The Department of Family Medicine and Public Health looks ahead with enthusiasm, continuing its commitment to delivering state-of-the-art clinical care, advancing impactful research, and strengthening the health of communities across the Intermountain West and beyond.