W. Brett Graham, MBA, MPA, has been appointed Institute President of Huntsman Mental Health Institute, effective immediately.
Graham brings extensive experience in health care strategy and operations, along with a strong commitment to advancing the Institute’s mission and expanding access to high-quality mental health care. He has served as interim CEO of the Institute since February 2025, guiding enterprise operations and strategic initiatives while partnering with stakeholders to advance long-term priorities.
Prior to joining University of Utah Health, Graham was a partner at Leavitt Partners, where he worked to advance value-based care by convening leaders across government and industry. He also served as chief operating officer at Meritain Health and as a vice president at Ingenix, part of UnitedHealth Group.
“I’m honored to serve as Institute president of Huntsman Mental Health Institute,” Graham said. “Mental health care is essential health care, and the Institute is uniquely positioned to lead meaningful change through clinical care, research, and education. I look forward to partnering with our faculty, staff, patients, and communities to expand access to compassionate, evidence-based care.”
As president, Graham oversees overall strategy and operations, working closely with the Institute’s leadership triad alongside the chair of the Department of Psychiatry and chief administrative officer, ensuring alignment across clinical care, research, education, and community engagement.
“Huntsman Mental Health Institute plays a critical role in transforming mental health care across Utah and the nation,” said Bob Carter, MD, PhD, executive vice president of health sciences and CEO for University of Utah Health. “Brett is a values-driven leader with the strategic vision, operational expertise, and collaborative approach needed to guide the Institute into its next chapter of growth and impact.”
Graham holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah. At University of Utah Health, he has contributed to major system initiatives, emphasizing quality, access, operational excellence, and integration across clinical care, research, and education. He previously served as chief strategy officer for the University of Utah, where he led and coordinated the Impact 2030 strategy.
“Brett brings a deep understanding of the complexity of academic medicine and the urgency of improving mental health care,” said Taylor Randall, president of the University of Utah. “His strategic leadership experience will accelerate our work to expand access, integrate care, translational research, and education, while advancing Huntsman Mental Health Institute as a national leader in transforming mental health care.”
Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah is a comprehensive mental health system that integrates clinical care, research, and education to address the growing mental health needs of individuals and families. Established in 2021 following a historic $150 million gift from the Huntsman family, the Institute builds on the legacy of the Department of Psychiatry and the University Neuropsychiatric Institute to deliver care across the lifespan and advance mental health nationwide. This work is further strengthened by the partnership and unwavering support of the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation. Read the Institute’s latest annual report to our community for more information.