Dr. Martin Plans to Build Upon RMU’s 25-Year Positive Trajectory of Advancing Knowledge and Advancing Healthcare to Improve the Human Condition
Marking a pivotal moment in Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) history, Cameron K. Martin, PhD, took the oath of office as the graduate healthcare institution’s second president on Friday, October 6 at the Utah Valley Convention Center. Students, faculty, staff, community members, and local and national education, healthcare, business, nonprofit, political, and community figures attended the inauguration ceremony, filling the hall with an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement for Martin’s tenure as president.
“I am humbled and excited to build upon RMU’s mission and vision to improve the human condition,” Martin said. “Our institution is meeting graduate educational healthcare needs throughout our nation. Working together with our incredible students, faculty, and staff, we will elevate the notability of our advanced modern healthcare curriculum, experiential learning, and world-class facilities.”
The inauguration ceremony garnered the attendance and support of community leaders from all aspects of life. In a video message, Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox lauded the significance of this occasion. “RMU plays an important part of the educational offering of our great state. Utah and our entire nation have a great need right now for highly skilled healthcare professionals,” Cox said. “The university is fortunate to continue its successful trajectory under the leadership of President Martin.”
RMU’s inauguration proceedings began with an invocation led by Elder Matthew S. Holland, a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and former Utah Valley University president, for whom President Cameron Martin served as his Vice President.
Extending warm greetings on behalf of government partners, Congressman John R. Curtis of Utah’s 3rd Congressional District had these words to share; “Cameron Martin’s DNA is all about loving and lifting those around him,” Curtis said. “Plenty of people are creative and hardworking, but Cameron is all those things, and he cares about individuals enough to make good things happen in their lives. I believe the best days for RMU are yet to come.”
Dr. Malissa Martin, RMU’s Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs & Provost, conveyed best wishes on behalf of the university’s higher education community. “We are honored and ready to share the next chapter with the second President of our University,” said Dr. Martin. “In this chapter, we will take chances and chase dreams together, further developing RMU into a premier healthcare university where our programs are one of the top choices for students seeking professional and post-professional healthcare and medical preparation and training.”
Representatives from the healthcare community, alumni, and students also delivered heartfelt messages.
The inaugural address was given by Dr. W. Rolfe Kerr, former Utah Commissioner of Higher Education, former President of Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State University), and Emeritus General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As President Martin’s father-in-law, his words resonated deeply.
“It is exciting to witness the union of this outstanding and promising individual with this outstanding and promising institution,” said Kerr. “President Martin and Rocky Mountain University are already coming together in a dynamic model of synergy—that amazing process where ‘the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.’ I assure you with confidence that your new president is capable and committed to do everything within his power to effectively lead this university.”
Before his appointment as President of RMU, Martin worked as Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff for the Office of the President. Previously, he was the Vice President of University Relations at Utah Valley University and worked for the Utah System of Higher Education as an Associate Commissioner for Economic Development and Planning. In his personal education, Martin earned a bachelor’s in political science, a master’s in public administration, and a PhD in educational leadership, all from Brigham Young University.
Michael Skurja, Jr., DPT, ESC (Emeritus), Co-Founder of RMU and Chair of the Board of Trustees, vested Martin with the official responsibilities of his office. “RMU was founded and built upon a culture around the principle of putting people first, a trait that President Martin exemplifies in everything he does, ” said Dr. Michael Skurja, board chair. “Our institution has had 25 years of success advancing healthcare throughout the nation, and through his leadership, innovative solution, and educational acumen, President Martin will continue to push RMU’s positive trajectory.”
Martin articulated his vision for RMU’s future following the oath of office.“As president, I am committed to building upon RMU’s four foundational constructs: service, quality, agility, and culture,” Martin said. “RMU is dedicated to serving those in need and committed to quality instruction, facilities, and student outcomes. Our academic and operational models are designed to maximize our resource agility in response to workforce needs and opportunities. RMU’s long-term sustainable and competitive advantage is its culture.”
RMU has been a pioneering force in healthcare education, dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare by developing highly skilled, evidence-based, and compassionate practitioners. Twenty-five years ago, a group of visionary educators recognized the need for an institution that would set new standards in healthcare education and meet the nation’s healthcare workforce needs. Martin’s forward-thinking and service-oriented approach promises to empower RMU students further to improve the human condition by advancing knowledge and healthcare.
Addressing the excited crowd, Martin said, “RMU’s culture is focused on loving and lifting ‘the one’ in pursuit of improving the human condition for ‘the many.’ I use the words ‘love and lift’ deliberately. People need and want to be loved. In other words, patients want to be seen for who they are, met where they are, and have a voice in their health plans and treatments, which is how RMU students are trained.”
