08/07/2025
William Renick Hutson, MD
01/07/1956 - 08/02/2025
- Obituary in first comment -
"It’s not an easy task to summarize great people and their accomplishments in a few paragraphs.
It is even harder when the person is bigger than life, very highly accomplished, a friend and colleague who has departed this mortal earth too soon.
Dr. William “Bill” Hutson has left an indelible mark on everyone with whom he came into contact. The following descriptors are those repeatedly stated by his colleagues and friends whose tributes to their dear friend, physician, colleague, mentor I just listened.
“Loved, Favorite, Memorable, Blunt, Approachable, Wonderful, Charismatic, Knowledgeable, Fun, Energetic, Passionate, Compassionate, Fabio, Loyal, Unique”.
Dr. Bill Hutson was the first, and for over 2 years, the only Transplant Hepatologist for the University of Utah Liver Transplant Program which he helped found in 2005. The first patient transplanted in 2006 was a patient so committed to Dr. Hutson that he demanded to be transferred to his care when Dr. Hutson left his position at the LDS Hospital to build the new program at the University of Utah.
When Dr. Hutson left the U of U in 2012 to take on the challenges of another liver transplant center closer to his family on the east coast, the U of U program was thriving and had just completed is 100th liver transplant.
Dr. Hutson worked in 4 different liver transplant programs and was the Medical Director of 3 of those. In every situation, the program’s trajectory improved dramatically during his tenure and all who worked with, were cared for and taught by Bill Hutson were uplifted by his indelible spirit and love of life.
Though, recently retired from the University of West Virginia, Bill was sharing his knowledge, compassionate care, and infectious personality with the U of U Liver Transplant program on a part-time basis. For that and his many contributions to the University of Utah Health, we are profoundly grateful". - Dr. Terry Box
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"The University of Utah Liver Transplant program was established in October 2025 by Dr. John Sorensen, Dr. Bill Hutson and Dr. Jason Schwartz. I had the privilege of joining this amazing team of physicians as their Liver Transplant Coordinator. Together, we developed an amazing liver transplant program that provided another resource to liver failure patients to receive their life savings transplants.
It was my privilege and honor to work beside these physicians. Our program offered a unique personalized approach to each of our patients. I know that these physicians truly cared about their patients. I can honestly say that I believe that our patients felt a special bond not only as a patient, but felt a personal connection, especially with Dr. Hutson. He genuinely felt a personal sense of unconditional, heart felt concern for each of them. He will be sorely missed by all". - Alana Edwards, RN (former) U of U Liver Transplant Coordinator
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