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SALT LAKE CITY — University of Utah Health CEO and senior vice president of health sciences Dr. Michael Good this week announced that he will be transitioning from his administrative roles later this year following a national search for his successor.
In a letter sent to his colleagues on Tuesday, Good explained his decision, saying that "calculus suggests this is a good time for transitions."
"In June, I complete 40 years in academic medicine, with 20 years serving in a dean or vice president role; in July, Danette and I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary; in August, I turn 65, register for Medicare, and start my seventh year at the University of Utah," Good wrote.
Throughout his six years at the university, Good has been responsible for overseeing a $5.7 billion health system, 17 hospitals and clinics, 2.2 million patient visits and 25,000 faculty, staff and students at the academic health sciences center.
He was also a pivotal voice in guiding the state and university though the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery efforts. After Utah went into lockdown on March 16, 2020, Good began delivering weekly updates though his "chalk talk" videos and "Three Things" emails. As part of the state's medical leadership team, Good helped to guide masking and vaccine policy.
Prior to Taylor Randall being named as the university's president, Good assumed the role as interim president of the University of Utah from April 2021 to August 2021.
"I am so grateful to Dr. Mike Good for his wisdom, patience and calm guidance during a time of great change on our campus and in the community and world around us," Randall said in a statement. "Mike's leadership has strengthened the university's patient care, research, education and service enterprises and leaves us well-positioned as we enter a time of unprecedented growth."
Since joining the university in 2018, Good led the University of Utah Health System through a period of "remarkable" growth, including: the naming and reconstruction of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine; opening the U. Health Sugar House clinic, Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital and the Kathryn F. Kirk Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women's Cancers Center; breaking ground for Huntsman Cancer Institute-Vineyard and planning a health center and hospital in West Valley City.
Under Good's guidance, the university's health sciences research operation grew to $458 million in grant funding in 2023, with over 900 research faculty.
Though Good is stepping down from administrative roles, he plans to return to the medical school faculty following a sabbatical. Randall said that a search committee to name Good's successor will be formed in the coming weeks.
"The University of Utah is full of wonderful people with impressive, inspiring and impactful achievements. The University of Utah's bright and ascending trajectory will continue to accelerate. Following a sabbatical, I look forward to contributing as a professor," Good said in his letter.
