University of Utah Health proudly celebrated the 20th anniversary of the University Orthopaedic Center (UOC) on October 1, 2024. This milestone event brought together esteemed faculty, alumni, staff, and community members to honor two decades of excellence in orthopaedic care, research, and education.
The celebration featured remarks from former chairs Dr. Harold Dunn and Dr. Charles Saltzman, along with current chair Dr. Darrel Brodke. Additionally, Dr. Michael Good, Dean of the University of Utah School of Medicine, provided insightful comments on the center's excellence, impact, and future direction: 'Excellence in patient care, excellence in education—these are the things that spark innovation. With many more bright days ahead, it's the people at the University and the University Orthopaedic Center who accomplish great things.'
Dr. Dunn, who served as chair during the department’s early years, spoke passionately about the vision and history that led to the center’s establishment. 'The University Orthopaedic Center was founded with the goal of providing the highest quality care to our patients while fostering an environment of learning and research. I am proud of how far we’ve come and the impact we’ve made on our community.'
Dr. Saltzman emphasized the vital role of the community of healthcare professionals in making the University Orthopaedic Center a reality. ‘The focus is on the patient and patient experience; there is no place like this except here. From the second they come into the building to the last time they leave, patients receive kindness and sincere respect from everyone who works here. There’s no culture like this anywhere—the UOC sets the standard in the country for excellence in outcomes. We’re patient-centered; that’s our culture.’
Current chair Dr. Brodke closed the remarks by expressing gratitude to the entire team and the community: 'When this center was built, we had the opportunity to change the culture and build something new. What we are not is an institution of people with multiple agendas, unclear missions, and unclear roles and responsibilities. We prioritize top-quality patient care and experience; we considered the patient experience in designing this building, from how they enter to how much time they spend here until they leave.'
'Our goal is to create a world-class teaching, research, and education center, and most importantly, a world-class place for all of our staff and faculty to work. We continue to strive for that today and will do so tomorrow—I've never seen anything like it anywhere.'
Since opening in October 2004, the orthopaedic center has had more than two million patient visits and our talented teams have cared for 300,000 patients.
A Brief History
The University Orthopaedic Center has a rich history rooted in the evolution of medical care in Utah. In 1967, the County Hospital closed, leading to the establishment of the University of Utah Health Sciences Center on the main campus. The center remained there until 1981, when it relocated to a larger adjacent building. The clinic moved again on October 4, 2004, when the new University Orthopaedic Center began operations with its first patients, where it currently resides. Over the past 20 years, the center has become a leading institution in the field, known for its comprehensive approach to orthopaedic care, specialized clinics, cutting-edge research, and community engagement programs.
As the center looks to the future, it remains committed to its mission of enhancing the health and well-being of individuals through exceptional care, education, and research.
For more information about the University Orthopaedic Center, please visit: Orthopaedics University of Utah Health | University of Utah Health