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Kathy Wilets, MPA, has been named System Chief Communications Officer and Joe Borgenicht has been named System Chief Marketing Officer for �鶹ѧ����Ʒ��, effective immediately. This appointment follows nearly two years of distinguished service as interim Co-Chief Marketing and Communication Officers by Wilets and Borgenicht.

Together, Wilets and Borgenicht will lead a unified marketing and communications strategy that supports seamless experiences for patients, learners, faculty, staff, and community members. Their priorities include advancing U of U Health’s integration strategy, supporting system initiatives such as the new West Valley and Vineyard campuses, expanding the organization’s regional footprint, and highlighting its strengths in innovation and education in service to communities in Utah and the Mountain West.

Wilets is a trusted leader and communicator recognized for her expertise in media relations, crisis communications, and strategic storytelling. As chief spokesperson, she has guided U of U Health through complex reputational challenges and periods of transformative growth. Her steady leadership and award-winning work have elevated the institution’s brand locally and nationally, while strengthening trust across internal and external audiences.

Wilets has more than two decades of experience in communications and media. She has been at �鶹ѧ����Ʒ�� since 2008, serving as Senior Director of Media Relations and Content Marketing and chief spokesperson for the past 15 years. In this role, she has overseen a multi-million-dollar annual budget and led a 20-member team responsible for media strategy, crisis management, digital platforms, and content development, with placements in national outlets such as The New York Times, Washington Post, ABC’s 20/20, and The Today Show.

Previously, she held communications roles at Huntsman Cancer Institute and produced health and special projects programming at KUTV and KTVX in Salt Lake City. Wilets earned a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Utah and has been recognized with multiple awards, including Communicator of the Year by the Utah Chapter of PRSA and a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award.

Borgenicht has established a strong track record as a strategic partner and brand leader. His work has shaped U of U Health’s marketing strategy around powerful storytelling and a steadfast focus on patients, culture, and community. With deep institutional knowledge and recognized leadership, he has helped align marketing and digital initiatives with the organization’s clinical, research, and educational missions, ensuring messages and brands resonate consistently and impactfully.

Borgenicht has served in senior communications leadership roles at �鶹ѧ����Ʒ�� since 2013. During that time, he has overseen multi-million-dollar strategic campaigns and co-led an 80-person team through a major transformation of marketing and communications across academic, clinical, and community missions. He has launched reputation, brand, and thought leadership initiatives with international reach, including the New Narratives in Health series at Sundance Film Festival, rebranding U Health and the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, and elevating the vision of new system leaders with internal, local, and national stakeholders.

Earlier in his career, Borgenicht founded True West Productions, where he authored more than a dozen books translated into as many languages and produced several television and documentary projects. He is a recipient of multiple national awards, including several from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Borgenicht earned a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies from Bowdoin College and studied at Oxford University.

“Clear, consistent, and strategic marketing and communications are critical as �鶹ѧ����Ʒ�� continues to evolve as a high-performing, multi-mission health system,” reflected Bob Carter, MD, Executive Vice President of �鶹ѧ����Ʒ��. “Kathy and Joe bring proven expertise and vision to these roles, and their leadership will ensure that the U Health message and our institutional impact resonate widely.”