UIT Leadership Spotlight: Rudy Matthes, interim director, Governance, Risk & Compliance

Where are you from originally?

I was born and raised in Hawaiʻi and have lived in Utah for over 25 years. While Utah has become home, I still miss surfing, the food, and relaxed island lifestyle.

What post-secondary degrees or certifications do you have, in what areas, and from which schools?

My educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi and a Master of Science in information systems from the University of Utah.

What led you to the University of Utah?

Before joining the University of Utah, I worked for a hospital system in Hawaiʻi and put myself through college working as both a janitor and a medical records clerk in Medical Records. When I moved to Utah, that experience opened the door to a role in Medical Records at the University of Utah Health’s Parkway Health Center in Orem, one of the university’s community clinics.

Can you describe the path you took to IT leadership?

My career at the University of Utah has spanned several roles and teams. In Medical Records, I worked directly with paper medical record charts and witnessed the organization’s transition to Epic’s EpicCare Ambulatory module within its electronic medical record system. Yes, you heard that right, paper medical records. That experience gave me a firsthand view of how technology can transform healthcare operations and sparked my interest in healthcare technology, ultimately leading me to join the Epic Training team in U of U Health Information Technology Services (ITS). After several years supporting training and adoption efforts, I transitioned to the ITS Project Management Office (PMO) and eventually found my way to the Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team in the U’s Information Security Office, where I work today.

How would you describe your leadership style and/or philosophy?

I strive to lead collaboratively, using data to inform decisions and encouraging an environment where decisions can be made intentionally and with careful consideration.

What do you enjoy most about your role at the U?

The best part of my job is working with people, solving problems, and helping them make informed decisions about cybersecurity risk.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

There is no shortage of meaningful challenges to solve, and the volume of important work often exceeds the time available, making prioritization and focus essential.

What are some of your hobbies?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids, camping, hiking, reading, tackling the never-ending list of home improvement projects, playing the occasional round of golf, and getting back to Hawaiʻi for a little surfing whenever I can.

 

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