University of Utah Health has appointed Kensaku Kawamoto, MD, PhD, MHS, to the newly created role of Chief Health AI Transformation Officer. Working under Chief Innovation Officer Jim Hotaling, MD, MS, Kawamoto will be responsible for scaling artificial intelligence across the health system’s clinical, operational, and academic sectors. His responsibilities also include managing the University of Utah Health Innovation Lab, which launched in January to fast-track the deployment of new technologies.

Kawamoto’s engagement with the university began in 2011 when he joined as faculty at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah. Currently, he serves as the Dr. Helmuth F. Orthner Endowed Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical AI and Informatics, while also holding the position of Associate Chief Medical Information Officer since 2013. Additionally, he directs the ReImagine EHR Initiative, co-leads the Digital Health Initiative, and serves on the Faculty Engagement Committee for the Responsible AI Initiative (RAI).

Beyond the university, Kawamoto has shaped federal health IT policy through the U.S. Health IT Advisory Committee and the Interoperability Standards Priorities Task Force. On a global scale, he co-chairs a work group for Health Level Seven International (HL7) and is the founder of OpenCDS. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and an MD/PhD and MHS from Duke University.

A prolific researcher with over 150 peer-reviewed publications, Kawamoto’s work in clinical decision support has been funded by the NIH and AHRQ. His contributions have earned him status as a fellow of ACMI and AMIA, alongside honors such as the 2026 University of Utah Presidential Societal Impact Scholar. 

“The University of Utah is such a special place, with a culture of collaboration and innovation that is truly unique. I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to work with colleagues across our institution to harness the promise of AI and deliver transformative impact. I look forward to turning our shared vision for the future into reality,” Kawamoto said.