Alena Longnecker- University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics (MHA '26)

 Greetings from beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah! 

This summer, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to complete my internship with the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics—the sole academic medical center in the state of Utah and one of the largest in the mountain west. The University of Utah Health system is made up of five (soon to be six) hospitals, 12 community health centers, 22 affiliate hospitals, and 54 telehealth sites. The system serves patients across roughly 10% of the continental U.S., with primary service areas including Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and much of Nevada.

There are nine interns in our cohort, and each week we’ve had the opportunity to meet with executive leaders and tour various facilities across the health system. I have worked with the System Planning team at the main hospital, which includes three key groups: Strategic Integration, Space Planning, and Operational Project Management. Throughout my internship, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to projects across all three areas, learning all about the complexities of healthcare expansion efforts, development, and planning. One of the highlights of this experience has been learning from my four incredible preceptors, each leading one of the teams I work with. I’m especially grateful for the guidance of my executive preceptor, Ischa Jensen, Associate Executive Director for System Planning. Ischa is not only a wealth of knowledge, with over 14 years of experience in the organization, but also someone I look up to as a genuine, kind, healthcare leader.

During my internship, I’ve focused on three key projects. The first involves relocating two high-volume clinics to a new location to support growth and better meet patient demand in the area. I have worked closely with the Strategic Integration and Space Planning teams, as well as clinical leaders, to complete a comprehensive needs assessment. This included analyzing space and business growth requirements and shadowing each clinic for a day to observe patient flow, space utilization, and even some incredible pain management procedures. My other two projects are tied to the new hospital being built in West Valley City—an area historically underserved in healthcare. One project focuses on establishing temporary clinics at the site ahead of its 2028 opening. These early efforts support recruitment challenges, navigate 340B considerations, and most importantly, establish trusted care communities between the patients and hospital early on. I have attended multiple neighborhood meetings, where we talked directly with community members to gather feedback on the hospital’s design, and better understand local healthcare needs beyond the data. The opportunity to connect directly with community members was a privilege and utilized skills developed during my undergraduate degree in public health. The third project involves planning a centralized services center. I’ve collaborated with the Chief Pharmacy Officer and supply chain leaders to support expansion of the system’s mail-order pharmacy, development of a 503A pharmacy, and additional warehouse space to align with the organization’s broader growth strategy.

Each day with this organization brings a new opportunity—whether it’s joining new hospital design and construction meetings, attending community discussions and female leadership conferences, shadowing physicians, or learning from inspiring leaders. This summer has been a whirlwind of hands-on experience, offering a front-row seat to the incredible effort, collaboration, and long-term commitment required to plan and build a new hospital.

Outside of work, I’ve been soaking up everything the beautiful state of Utah has to offer. A summer here wouldn’t be complete without exploring the stunning national parks and iconic hiking trails. My weekends usually involve checking out local markets, hiking with fellow interns, and discovering new coffee shops and restaurants around Salt Lake City. This city truly has something for everyone—there’s always a festival, concert, or somewhere new to explore! 

My time with the University of Utah has been nothing short of incredible. I’m returning to Iowa City with a new perspective and a deeper understanding of a different side of healthcare. I am eager to get back with my cohort and hear all about their wonderful summer experiences, but I will truly miss the people I met through this experience. As I head into my final (bittersweet!) year as a Hawkeye, I’m filled with gratitude for this experience and so much excitement for what comes next.