The award program is celebrating its 30th anniversary
SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 5, 2017)— Today it was announced that Vivian S. Lee, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., CEO of University of Utah Health Care and Senior Vice Presdent of University of Utah Health Sciences is winner of a 2016 Governors Medal for Science and Technology in the special recognition category. She and 11 other recipients will be honored by Gov. Gary R. Herbert, along with the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) initiative and the Governor's Office for Economic Development (GOED), at a 30th anniversary awards dinner on Jan. 18.
"The medal recipients are true leaders in innovation, serving as educators, mentors and influencers statewide," Gov. Herbert said. "Innovation drives Utah's thriving economy and unmatched quality of life. I commend the winners for excellence in their fields and for their important work, which will benefit Utah residents for generations."
Since July of 2011, Lee has served as senior vice president for health sciences, dean of the University of Utah School of Medicine, and CEO of University of Utah Health Care. She is responsible for an annual budget of $3.3 billion, including a healthcare system, health plan, as well as the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health and the new School of Dentistry. A National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded investigator for nearly 20 years, Lee was elected to the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) and the American Society of Clinical Investigation. She serves on NIH Council of Councils and on the boards of two publicly traded companies. A fellow and past president of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), Lee has authored over 160 papers and a popular textbook, Cardiovascular MRI: Physical Principles to Practical Protocols.
Since 1987, the Governor's Medals for Science and Technology have been awarded to residents and companies who have provided distinguished service or made significant contributions to Utah's advanced scientific and technological knowledge, education and industry. Nominations are reviewed by an advisory panel before formally presenting winners to the governor.
This year's 12 medals are awarded in the categories of academic/research, higher education, K-12 education, industry, government and one special recognition.
List of other recipients: http://business.utah.gov/news/governors-medal-science-technology-winners-announced/