University of Utah, Department of Family Medicine & Public Health

10/05/2026

Why does having a trusted primary care provider matter so much for your health?

We asked Family Medicine Physician Scott Hall, MD, CAQSM, to share his perspective.

Need a P*P? Visit “Find a Doctor” at U of U Health.

09/24/2026

Meet Frances Johnson, DNP, FNP-C, APRN, a family nurse practitioner at the Madsen Health Center at University of Utah Health.

For National APP Week, Frances shares why she chose to become an Advanced Practice Provider and offers advice for those considering a career as an APP.

Her story is a great reminder of the impact APPs make every day!

09/22/2026

🎉 Happy National APP Week! 🎉

This week, we're celebrating the incredible Advanced Practice Providers who make a meaningful impact in the lives of the patients they serve. Today, we're highlighting Wendy Macey, PA-C, and Bernardo Fernandez, PA-C, whose expertise, compassion, and dedication make them essential members of University of Utah Health.

09/10/2026

Primary care clinics across University of Utah Health increased their colorectal cancer screening rate by more than 5 percentage points this year, helping more than 4,700 additional patients complete screenings.

Through a team-based quality improvement project, clinics came together to strengthen CRC screening by implementing new workflows—with friendly competition along the way.

Congratulations to our top-performing clinics:
🥇1st: Centerville Health Center
🥈2nd: Redstone Health Center
🥉3rd: Redwood Health Center

https://medicine.utah.edu/dfpm/news/2026/08/primary-care-clinics-increase-colorectal-cancer-screening-rate

Primary care providers from the Division of Family & Community Medicine have increased the colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rate by more than 5 percentage points this year, helping more than 4,700 additional patients complete screenings at health centers across University of Utah Health.

08/20/2026

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a time to remember the important role vaccines play in protecting our health.

This month, Dr. Megan Petersen with the Division of Public Health breaks down five common vaccine rumors, separating fact from fiction and helping us make informed decisions about our health and the health of our families.

Dr. Petersen has more than 20 years of experience in global health and emergency public health. Her doctoral dissertation focused on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

07/02/2026

Congratulations to the Division of Family & Community Medicine's Class of 2026! 🎓

This year, we celebrated the graduation of 10 family medicine residents and six fellows. We are incredibly proud of all they've accomplished and excited to see the impact they'll make as the next generation of family physicians.

Read the full story: https://medicine.utah.edu/dfpm/news/2026/07/division-of-family-community-medicine-celebrates-class-of-2026

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Saskia Spiess on receiving the 2026 Early Career Teaching Award from the University of Utah!

We are proud to have her on our team and grateful for her dedication to teaching and mentoring our family medicine residents and medical students.

Read the full story: https://medicine.utah.edu/dfpm/news/2026/03/saskia-spiess-receives-university-of-utahs-2026-early-career-teaching-award

05/04/2026

Congratulations to the Division of Public Health's Class of 2026! 🎓

This year's 36 graduates were joined by faculty, staff, family, and friends to celebrate completing their degree programs and pledge their dedication to shaping the future of public health.

Read the full story: https://medicine.utah.edu/dfpm/news/2026/04/division-of-public-health-celebrates-class-of-2026

04/28/2026

The Department of Family Medicine & Public Health hosted its 8th Annual Education, Research, and Community Engagement Poster Summit, bringing students, clinicians, and faculty together to showcase their research and build connections.

The Department of Family Medicine & Public Health hosted its 8th Annual Education, Research, and Community Engagement Poster Summit on April 15, 2026.

04/10/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Katie Fortenberry on receiving the 2026 Excellence in Education Award from the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine!

The award honors individuals who have made meaningful contributions to advancing family medicine education. Dr. Fortenberry was recognized for her innovative teaching methods, dedicated mentorship, and impactful research.

https://medicine.utah.edu/dfpm/news/2026/01/katie-fortenberry-honored-2026-stfm-excellence-education-award

Family Medicine Residency Associate Program Director Katherine (Katie) Fortenberry, PhD, has been selected to receive the 2026 Excellence in Education Award from the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.