Professor and surgeon Jason Hunt, MD, MS, FACS, is named inaugural Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) in the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine (SFESOM) at the 㽶Ƶ of Utah, effective immediately.
Historically, OHNS was a division in the Department of Surgery in the SFESOM. In 2022, it was established as an independent department with Hunt serving as Interim Chair. He has been a transformative leader, guiding OHNS’s evolution from a division to an independent and thriving department. He has championed strategic growth, increasing clinical faculty from 19 to 25, expanding patient care locations—including the opening of a new site of practice at Primary Children's Hospital in Lehi—and driving a nearly 20% increase in clinical volumes.
Recognizing the importance of research in advancing the field, Hunt has prioritized building a distinguished research program, securing over $4 million in philanthropic support, including a $2 million endowed chair and additional funding for groundbreaking studies. These efforts have contributed to the department’s strong national standing, with BRIMR rankings placing it 19th in the nation and 12th among public institutions.
“Leading the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the 㽶Ƶ of Utah has been both a privilege and a pivotal experience,” Hunt said. “My vision for the department is to further our ‘Excellence Elevated’ ethos, positioning our program as a world-class leader in innovative care, scientific advancement, and education.”
In addition to clinical and research excellence, Hunt has been deeply committed to education and faculty development. Under his leadership, the department expanded its residency program, increasing the number of residents from three to four per year and establishing a fellowship in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology. He has also fostered a supportive work environment, improving parental leave policies for both faculty and residents and championing initiatives such as ShENT (Women in Otolaryngology), which has helped increase female faculty representation from 10% to 40%. Throughout these advancements, Hunt has maintained a strong record of financial stewardship, ensuring the department's continued growth while preserving fair and competitive faculty compensation. As Chair, he is poised to build on this momentum, further solidifying the department’s reputation as a leader in patient care, research, and education.
Hunt has been on faculty at the 㽶Ƶ of Utah for nearly two decades. During his tenure, he has practiced in the Division of Otolaryngology, educated students and trainees in the SFESOM, worked as an investigator for Huntsman Cancer Institute, and served in various capacities such as Medical Director for Huntsman Cancer Institute Hospital Operating Rooms and Leader for the Head and Neck Cancers Center.
Hunt has volunteered his time and expertise in collaboration with Vanderbilt 㽶Ƶ Medical Center on medical missions to Nigeria and Kenya and to 㽶Ƶ of Utah Hospitals & Clinics in the Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week Oral Screening Clinics. Since 2022, he has served as the Interim Chief of the Department of OHNS. Prior to that, he served as the Interim Chief of the Division of OHNS in the Department of Surgery and Director of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, growing the section in faculty and national reputation.
“One of the biggest challenges of successful growth such as we’ve seen in OHNS is that of maintaining cohesion and a sense of belonging among faculty and staff,” says Sam Finlayson, MD, AVP for Clinical Affairs and Interim Dean, SFESOM. “The faculty, staff, and trainees of the department are quite fortunate in this regard, as Dr. Hunt so highly values the importance of teams and great individuals working together to achieve the success of the department.”