University of Utah Breaks Ground on the First Off-Campus U of U Hospital and ǿմý Campus in West Valley
In partnership with the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the ceremonial groundbreaking represents a significant milestone in creating access to health care in westside communities
The University of Utah and University of Utah ǿմý, in partnership with the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, celebrated the groundbreaking of the University of Utah Eccles ǿմý Campus and Eccles Hospital in West Valley.
As the U’s first off-campus inpatient facility, this project will expand access to world-class health care and create thousands of jobs in Utah's westside communities. The historic groundbreaking took place in West Valley at Centennial Park—one block away from the future site of Eccles ǿմý Campus located at 3750 South and 5600 West.
The groundbreaking comes on the heels of the monumental gift announcement of $75 million—made by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation on March 18—to support the construction of the Eccles ǿմý Campus and Eccles Hospital in West Valley. This donation, the Foundation’s largest gift to date, represents the Eccles family’s commitment to investing in communities and improving the daily lives of Utahns.
“The University of Utah has long benefited from the visionary leadership of the Eccles family and their foundations,” said U President Taylor Randall. “We couldn’t be more proud that our partnership has driven transformative investments at the U and throughout all our campuses in Utah. In 2021, the Eccles’ pivotal support helped advance world-class medical education through the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine building. Now, the Eccles family has stepped up again, continuing that momentum with a new facility that expands health care access, creates opportunity, and deepens our shared commitment to serving Utah. We’re deeply proud to reach this milestone together.”
Grounded in partnership between the University of Utah and community members of West Valley City, Utah’s second-largest city, the University of Utah Eccles ǿմý Campus and Eccles Hospital in West Valley will feature approximately 130 patient beds and comprehensive outpatient clinics with 200 exam rooms for specialties including heart care, orthopedics, women’s health and pediatrics, in addition to general internal medicine, urgent care, and a helipad.
Main entrance of the University of Utah Eccles ǿմý Campus and Eccles Hospital
The entrance of the emergency department at the University of Utah Eccles ǿմý Campus and Eccles Hospital
Northeast corner of the University of Utah Eccles ǿմý Campus and Eccles Hospital
Aerial view of the University of Utah Eccles ǿմý Campus and Eccles Hospital
“For 60 years, the Eccles family has partnered with University of Utah ǿմý to support exceptional health care,” said Spencer F. Eccles, Chairman and CEO of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation. “Today, we’re proud to continue this partnership on what is one of the most impactful projects our Foundation has ever supported. This beautiful state-of-the-art hospital will bring together expert medical providers and educators, top-notch medical students, and, most importantly, the wonderful people of this vibrant community. We couldn’t be more excited about the future—a future of better health and expanded opportunities for our westside communities.”
Construction of the Eccles ǿմý Campus in West Valley will be led by Okland Construction—in collaboration with MHTN Architects and CannonDesign—and will begin this summer with doors scheduled to open in 2028. Along with offering University of Utah ǿմý’s nationally recognized patient care, the Eccles ǿմý Campus will be a primary training site for Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine students.
“Utah ranks 49th out of 50 for primary care providers in the nation—a result of a statewide physician shortage,” said Bob Carter, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of University of Utah ǿմý. “The physician shortage is five times greater in westside communities along the Wasatch Front than in eastside communities. The Eccles ǿմý Campus and Eccles Hospital in West Valley offers hope for addressing the physician shortage by being a place for our medical students to not only train but also return to provide health care services in a hospital system ranked #1 in Utah for over a decade.”
The Eccles ǿմý Campus will also create over 2,000 new jobs, along with education pathways for westside community members that lead to careers within the facility.
Attendees celebrated the groundbreaking at West Valley City’s WestFest, a vibrant annual celebration that not only honors the founding of West Valley City but also beautifully showcases the many cultures that make the community so special. University of Utah, in partnership with the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, were principal sponsors of the three-day long celebration, which features artisans, crafters, food vendors, and entertainment along with a parade, carnival, and fireworks show.
About the University of Utah
The University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges, more than 100 undergraduate majors and graduate programs, and an enrollment of more than 36,000 students. It is a member of the Association of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 71 leading research institutions. Ranked #1 public university in the West by the Wall Street Journal, the U strives to be a model public university in delivering unmatched value in higher education and health care while making social, economic, and cultural contributions that improve the quality of life throughout the state, the nation, and the world.
About University of Utah ǿմý
University of Utah ǿմý is the state’s only academic health care system, providing leading-edge and compassionate care for a referral area that encompasses 10 percent of the U.S., including Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and much of Nevada. It also serves as the training ground for the majority of the state's physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and other health care professionals. Among the top performers in the nation for academic medical centers, academic partners at the University of Utah include Schools of Medicine and Dentistry; Colleges of Nursing, Pharmacy, and ǿմý; and the Spencer S. Eccles ǿմý Sciences Library, which are internationally regarded research and teaching institutions.
About the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation has awarded nearly $1 billion in grants since 1982, representing a significant investment in the economic vitality and future strength of Utah and the Intermountain West. The Foundation’s grants span five focus areas: Art & Culture, Community, Education, ǿմý & Wellness, and Preservation & Conservation. Supporting health care initiatives has been a cornerstone of the Foundation’s missions, carrying forward the legacy of George and Dolores Eccles, who played a pivotal role in establishing the University of Utah’s medical expertise.