Dean Frankie Santos Laanan Named Utah Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Preceptor of the Year

Dean Frankie Santos Laanan has been named a Utah Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) 2024 Preceptor of the Year. AHEC preceptor awards are reserved for individuals who go above and beyond to guide tomorrow's healthcare professionals.

Dean Laanan was nominated for the award by his AHEC mentee, a health professions student participating in the AHEC scholars program. This two-year program prepares students to thrive in the rapidly changing US healthcare system with a particular focus on urban and rural health needs in Utah. Many professors across the University of Utah and U Health  also participate in the AHEC mentoring program.

In the nomination letter, his mentee stated, "Dr. Laanan has been my AHEC mentor for the last year. He has been quick and eager to provide mentorship and our conversations (every semester) have been enriching, insightful, and invigorating. He has made himself available and given generously of his time and himself by sharing his story, perspective, and convictions. His expertise is very different from mine and this has been particularly meaningful as I get a small glimpse into the particulars of his practice and specialty.

"Dr. Laanan has extended profound trust to me and I am grateful to him for this privilege. He has made me feel equal to the tasks before me, including rising to the challenges of graduate level training, doctoral clinical practice, and leadership in the community and other areas. He has helped me set my sights higher and feel confident that with preparation and diligence I can achieve my diverse personal and professional goals. These are all manifestations of his humility, generosity, and humanistic spirit. I'm tremendously grateful to him for sharing these with me."

The AHEC nomination form called for mentors whose encouragement and guidance was especially life-changing in the development of health professions students’ practice habits.

Of the award, Dean Laanan said he is “honored and humbled for the recognition.”

The AHEC award ceremony took place Thursday, October 17, 2024 during the 2024 Utah Primary Care Summit Reception hosted at Salt Lake Community College’s South Jordan Campus.