Meet the President

In November 2024, Tara Cornaby became the president of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Alumni Association, taking the helm from Ron Larkin after his two-year term expired.

He is an excellent role model of compassionate service,” said Cornaby. “I cannot thank him enough for his mentorship and for the legacy he leaves behind, one of genuine dedication and commitment to the alumni and students.”

A Salt Lake City native, Cornaby completed both her undergraduate degree (BS ’94) and MD (’98) at the University of Utah. She went on to pursue a transitional year internship at LDS Hospital, followed by an anesthesiology residency at Stanford MedicalCenter. Her interest in integrative medicine later led her to complete a remote fellowship in 2014.

After residency, Cornaby joined Stanford’s faculty where she held leadership roles in resident education, postgraduate and medical-staff wellness, and hospital administration. In 2017, she and her husband returned to Salt Lake City with their four children, embracing their love for skiing, hiking, biking, and spending time with extended family.

UtahMed talked with Cornaby about her hopes for the alumni association, how she sees it supporting alumni and the school, and why the idea of community fuels her.

Why did you want to become a part of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Alumni Association, first as a member in 2022 and now in the role of president?

I received an excellent undergraduate and medical education at the University of Utah, and I want to give back. I am keenly aware that I benefited from the efforts of those who came before me, including past students, professors, researchers, clinicians, and administrators.

We are a community of generations, and the idea of “community” has become increasingly important to me. The communities at the U of U are significant parts of our individual and collective lives and can serve as a strong force for mutual motivation, support, mentorship, and positive change.

“How do we best create opportunities for meaningful engagement, collaboration, and connection within our alumni community?”

As an introverted person by nature, it can be a little daunting for me to step out of my comfort zone, but my experience on the board has taught me that all are welcome and wanted, and that small contributions by many can make a big difference.

What are your plans for your term as president?

Our Alumni Association has over 19,000 members and includes graduates from our medical education programs, residencies, fellowships, physician assistant programs, and associated medical and basic science disciplines. It is a diverse and dynamic collective, and its contributions are integral to the incredible growth we are seeing at the University of Utah Health Sciences. With that in mind, I’d like to focus on expanding our alumni outreach and engagement. Even though people are busy, they want to contribute if they feel their efforts are meaningful and have an impact. The question then becomes, “How do we best create opportunities for meaningful engagement, collaboration, and connection within our alumni community?” The board will be working on answering questions like this.

We are also looking for ways to increase mentorship and support for the next generation of alumni. Each year we host mentor mixers, an all-school picnic, and a spring social. We provide an emergency scholarship fund and raise stethoscope donations for first-year medical students. As a board, we are looking to expand effective programming and increase philanthropy efforts.

What are the challenges ahead that concern you most?

I see the increasing rate of burnout within the healthcare profession as one of our greatest challenges. It’s a very demanding profession, intellectually, physically, and emotionally, and those constant demand scan pose a threat to our well-being. How do we best support real-world solutions that will enhance health and well-being within our profession? We know mentorship is effective at combatting burnout, benefiting not only the mentor and mentee, but also patients and health care systems. The Alumni Association offers several mentoring opportunities and is looking to expand programs tailored to the needs of the students. 

Another challenge is the increasing cost of a graduate education. For example, the average national debt of a graduating medical student now totals over $240,000. With this data in mind, receiving financial aid from your medical school becomes a significant factor when deciding where to go. We must consider this as we continue to enroll the best and brightest applicants.

What excites you most about what’s ahead for the school?

I’m most excited about the revised, transformational curriculum innovations at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. The curriculum now includes student-led clinics and councils, team-based learning opportunities, longitudinal integrative clerkships, and the continued emphasis on fostering respect, community, and collaboration. As an example, first-year students are provided an opportunity for direct patient care in underserved communities through the student-led clinics. By the third and fourth years, their clinic roles expand to include leadership and managerial responsibilities. These changes not only enrich the school’s mission to educate health care professionals who will provide compassionate and equitable patient care, but I believe they will also improve residency readiness, increase professional fulfillment, and decrease the drivers of burnout.

Additionally, I’m energized by the growth of our school and the potential for the Alumni Association to further harness the talents and experience of our alumni. Together, we can support the school’s strategic direction and deepen our impact on students, the community, and the health care field.

I invite you to help me in understanding your needs by providing your feedback on how we can better serve you, our alumni, and friends.

If you would like to be involved with the Alumni Association, email SOMalumni@hsc.utah.edu or visit the website at medicine.utah.edu/alumni.

We welcome your feedback on how the Alumni Association can better serve you and meet your needs.