In a dramatic move, LDS Church plans to launch a medical school at BYU

Top leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Monday the decision to launch a medical school at the church-owned Brigham Young University in Provo, explaining in a news release that the enterprise will be “focused on teaching with research in areas of strategic importance” to the Utah-based faith.

“A major focus will be on international health issues affecting members” of the faith, the announcement noted, “and the church’s worldwide humanitarian efforts.”

The school will stop short of creating its own hospital or hospital system, however. Rather, BYU is currently in talks with Intermountain Health, a regional health care powerhouse, regarding “a mutually beneficial clinical relationship.”

“Also,” the release added, “it is anticipated that the medical school will seek collaborative relationships with various entities in Utah, including the University of Utah.”

The announcement, signed by the governing First Presidency, did not provide any specific dates or timeline but stressed the hope to recruit students from abroad as well as from within the United States.

This story will be updated.

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In a dramatic move, LDS Church plans to launch a medical school at BYU

In a dramatic move, LDS Church plans to launch a medical school at BYU

In a dramatic move, LDS Church plans to launch a medical school at BYU

In a dramatic move, LDS Church plans to launch a medical school at BYU

In a dramatic move, LDS Church plans to launch a medical school at BYU