Sean J. Mulvihill,
MD
Languages Spoken: English
Sean Mulvihill, MD has specialized expertise in the treatment of diseases of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas. He is board certified in general surgery. His main clinical focus is in the management of patients with pancreatic tumors, such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors. He has integrated a research program funded by the National Cancer Institute into his clinical practice, with the aim of determining the underlying cause of these cancers and identifying new treatment approaches. This knowledge is leading to improved diagnostic strategies, improved selection of treatment options, and improved outcomes.
Clinical Locations
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Patient Care Center801-581-7167
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Professor |
| Academic Divisions | General Surgery |
| Board Certification | American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery) |
| Cancer Center Programs | Experimental Therapeutics |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.8/ 5
Care provider spoke using clear language
4.8/ 5
Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.8/ 5
My confidence in care provider
4.8/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.7/ 5
Wait time at clinic
4.4/ 5
Time care provider spent with me
4.6/ 5
Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.8/ 5
Care provider's friendliness and courtesy
4.8/ 5
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
April 09, 2018
Dr. Mulvihill was excellent in all areas.
UofU Patient
March 21, 2018
I could not ask for better service
UofU Patient
December 18, 2017
I'm so glad my care is at Huntsman Hospital; I appreciate Dr. Mulvihill and know I have the best care and doctor; I feel comfortable and at ease and appreciate his concern and I have the utmost confidence in him. The staff there is great; Brandi is always kind and my experiences there are always pleasant. I'm so grateful I ended up at your hospital and with an excellent doctor.
UofU Patient
October 09, 2017
He makes you feel at ease.
UofU Patient
September 30, 2017
Excellent visit - thorough, unrushed, couldn't expect more or better.
UofU Patient
August 19, 2017
We couldn't ask for anything better!!
UofU Patient
August 01, 2017
Because I was/am anxious, I didn't think of all the questions i now have. However, I believe the doctor and team answered what I asked. Everyone was friendly, helpful, and seemed concerned. The process was as efficient and pleasant as possible under the circumstances.
UofU Patient
February 21, 2017
I was very satisfied with my visit.
UofU Patient
February 07, 2017
Even though we had never met the care provider prior to the appointment we felt very comfortable with his professionalism and friendliness
UofU Patient
February 04, 2017
Dr. Mulvihill has always been kind, concerned, pleasant, and never rushed. His confidence has been a big part of my recovery.
UofU Patient
January 30, 2017
Saved my life.
UofU Patient
December 06, 2016
Very friendly, kind, and knowledgable, and personable. Came to him for a second opinion, his was against surgery instead of for as my original Dr, so i was left feeling very conflicted about what to do next. My only complaint is the Dr. didnt spend much time with me. maybe five minutes. didn't really get to ask any questions, or be given time to think. Didn't really give us much follow up information either, i left feeling confused and overwhelmed on what to do or what my options were.
UofU Patient
July 20, 2016
My interactions with both Dr. Cannon and Dr. Milvilhill were outstanding. Both doctors were very compassionate and gave me a clear understanding of my potential choices depending on many varying situations. I never felt rushed and all my questions were answered completely.
UofU Patient
May 31, 2016
Needless to say, I was extremely impressed by the quality of service I received, which exceeded my expectations based on experiences elsewhere.
UofU Patient
May 23, 2016
I have complete confidence that Dr. Mulvihill will keep us current with all pertinent information, and that he will proceed with the best plan for my health and well-being.
UofU Patient
May 11, 2016
Dr. M. gave me the clearest explanation of the procedure, outcomes and what to expect after surgery. He actually listened to what I had to say about my symptoms and acted truly interested in my goals and what was important to me.
UofU Patient
April 18, 2016
I feel I received the best possible care from all the staff, from the surgeon down to my hourly care, and am eternally greatful for the fine care I and my family received. Thank You.
UofU Patient
April 05, 2016
Have a close friend coming on April 12th for his surgery and it was on his recommendation that I came. So I plan on paying it forward.
UofU Patient
February 23, 2016
Dr. Mulvihill was well prepared to discuss my condition.
UofU Patient
February 21, 2016
Dr. Mulvihill drew an example of my problem, but was not sure I understood just where my cancer was located. Later I called Brandie and she sent me an e mail that explain exactly where it was and I am very appreciative of he help.
UofU Patient
December 08, 2015
I feel like I'm in the best possible hands; I feel secure and confident in my care and appreciate the concern shown me. Dr. Mulvihill is the best!
UofU Patient
November 05, 2015
Dr. Mulvahill and his team are the best. I would recommend their services to everyone that I care for.
UofU Patient
November 04, 2015
it is just excellent in all aspects
UofU Patient
November 03, 2015
I have nothing but praise for the way I was treated.
UofU Patient
October 20, 2015
This was an out of network second opinion about a potential surgery recommended by my in network doctor and surgeon and therefore expensive. I feel that the doctor should have been better informed of my particular circumstances which he could have been if he had spent more time reading the information provided before the appointment. I left more confused than when I arrived.
UofU Patient
September 09, 2015
All of the staff spent a great deal of time with me and were exceedingly kind, caring and very helpful in working to ease my fears.
UofU Patient
August 17, 2015
I have spent a lot of time at the Huntsman Center during the last several months. Everyone has been nothing less than angels and their care and assistance have exceeded my expectations.
UofU Patient
July 21, 2015
I'm sorry that I was late for my appointment. I read the appointment card wrong. Was thankful that they still let me see the doctor.
UofU Patient
December 12, 2014
No bad comments. He was good.
UofU Patient
December 08, 2014
we were very impressed with Dr. Mulvihill and his expertise.
UofU Patient
February 16, 2014
we feel very lucky to have met Dr Mulvihill and have him treating me
UofU Patient
February 13, 2014
i would like to say that the doctor, staff , and all are very polite.
UofU Patient
February 10, 2014
Encouraging and very clear.
UofU Patient
November 27, 2013
all my questions were discussed and I left with a confident feeling that my next steps were to be
UofU Patient
October 08, 2013
Dr. Mulvihill is a great doctor and is very pleasant to talk with as well. he was great on answering all our questions and concerns in terms which we understood . My experience with Dr. Mulvihill would be a 100% referral to anyone whom I know would need his assistance as well.
UofU Patient
June 25, 2013
excellent and impressed with the knowledge level and with the terminology used for ease of understanding all issues talked about.
UofU Patient
May 13, 2013
Extremely positive experience.
UofU Patient
January 22, 2013
Came to Dr. Mulvihill by recommendation of a doctor i work for now. Also, he was the specialist that my origional surgeon was talking to. i knew i was in good hands before i arrived. Talking with Dr. Mulvihill in person confirmed that!
UofU Patient
October 23, 2012
Always a good experience
UofU Patient
June 15, 2012
I feel very confident that I am in good hands
UofU Patient
May 12, 2012
All care providers I have met or been counseled by while at Huntsman have been extremely professional and very friendly
UofU Patient
March 14, 2012
Dr. Mulvihill was excellent and we enjoyed learning from him and hearing his plan for my treatment. He was very professional, thorough, informative, positive, and kind.
UofU Patient
February 18, 2012
Excellent in every respect. Profesional, informative, and personable.
UofU Patient
February 11, 2012
My diagnosis was not clear. I hope it will be resolved quickly and given priority. I also wish to be informed of my situation as it progresses.
UofU Patient
February 07, 2012
I was very well treated
UofU Patient
February 04, 2012
I highly regard Dr. Mulvihill's expertise, mannerism and professionalism. I consider I have access to the best!
Dr. Sean Mulvihill is the Associate Vice President for Payer Strategy at the University of Utah. In this role, he is the University lead in strategic health insurance payer partnerships with the goal of transforming health care payment and delivery. In addition to this administrative role, he is a tenured professor and holds the Ross R. Anderson Presidential Endowed Chair in Surgery. He maintains an active clinical practice and an NIH-funded research laboratory.
Prior to assuming his current leadership role, Dr. Mulvihill served as CEO of the University of Utah Medical Group for four years, a key leadership position in our health care system. Prior to that, he served as Chair of the Department of Surgery for 12 years and, concurrently, Senior Director for Clinical Affairs in the Huntsman Cancer Institute for 10 years. He was recruited to the University of Utah from the University of California, San Francisco where he served as Chief of their Division of General Surgery.
Dr. Mulvihill's clinical expertise relates to diseases of the liver, pancreas, and bile ducts. He works to improve patient outcomes and to develop novel treatment strategies for diseases like pancreatic cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. As head of the Pancreatic Cancer Research Group at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, he was responsible for the successful development of a clinical research database containing detailed information on patients with pancreatic tumors, linked to a robust biospecimen bank of patient samples. This material is used to develop and validate biomarkers useful in early diagnosis, prediction of response to therapy, and in studies of the cell biology of pancreatic cancer. His research is funded by the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Mulvihill is an editor of a major surgical textbook, Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence, and has authored nearly 200 scientific papers, editorials, and book chapters. He is past-president of the American Hepatopancreatobiliary Association and has served as an officer or board member of numerous other professional societies and community service organizations.
Dr. Mulvihill is particularly interested in navigating the challenges of health care reform by embracing the triple aim of improving each individual's experience of care, improving the health of the population we serve, and reducing the cost of care in University of Utah Health Care.
Academic Locations
Williams Building
801-587-0689
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Professor |
| Academic Divisions | General Surgery |
| Board Certification | American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery) |
| Cancer Center Programs | Experimental Therapeutics |
Research Interests
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Clinical Trials in Pancreatic Disease
- Quality of Health Care
- Education, Professional, Retraining
- Gastrointestinal Physiology
Education History
| Chief Resident | University of California - Los Angeles General Surgery Chief Resident |
| Residency | University of California - Los Angeles General Surgery Resident |
| Postdoctoral Fellowship | University of California - Los Angeles GI Research Postdoctoral Fellow |
| Residency | University of California - Los Angeles General Surgery Resident |
| Internship | University of California - Los Angeles Surgery Intern |
| Professional Medical | University of Southern California Medicine M.D. |
| Undergraduate | University of California - Davis Zoology B.S. |