About us

Rachel Hess, MD, MS is the Associate Vice President for Research-Health Sciences, Professor of Population Health Sciences and Internal Medicine, and the Co-Director of the Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Utah Schools of the Health Sciences. She served as the founding Chief of the University of Utah’s Division of Health System Innovation and Research (HSIR) from 2014-2022. As a General Internist and Health Services Researcher, Dr. Hess brings a unique perspective of translating research into clinical and policy practice. Dr. Hess’s research aims to improve patient-centered outcomes in clinical care. Her implementation work uses health information technology to engage patients in their care. She has examined the impact of providing patients with guideline-based feedback regarding their health behaviors and health-related quality of life on patient activation and behavior change. Dr. Hess has overseen the development and successful implementation of multiple technology-based programs in primary care. As the Associate Vice President for Research of Health Sciences, she oversees the development and execution of the research strategy for the five health sciences schools and colleges across the University of Utah campus.