Utah Coaching & Advancement Network

Sarah Burton, ACC Coach

Sarah Burton serves as the Operations Manager for the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and Co-Director of U-CAN. For over a decade, she has driven business growth, clinical excellence, and cultural transformation within the GI department. Sarah continues to advance her leadership skills through the Utah Coaching Advancement Network (U-CAN) as an ICF Certified Coach. With 20 years of experience in healthcare, she has held diverse roles across clinical, administrative, managerial, and leadership domains. As a co-founder of T.U.R.N. and ‘Women in GI,’ and an active member of UWHEN, Sarah brings a humanitarian spirit to her work. She also has deep expertise in yoga instruction, nutritional counseling, and meditation, with a passion for enhancing well-being. Sarah’s leadership philosophy centers on fostering empowerment, grit, and resilience by encouraging intentional thinking and unlocking new possibilities for personal and professional growth.

Harriet Hopf, MD

Harriet W. Hopf, MD, is Professor of Anesthesiology and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Utah. She has held senior leadership roles at the medical school, university, and national level that positioned her for her current focus on nurturing career and leadership success in the next generation. As a three-sport college athlete she learned leadership, persistence, and how to get things done. Her husband Leo, who she met playing volleyball, is an expert in strategy and decision-making and a peerless peer mentor. Their offspring, McKinley, is a grad student busy reinventing the way history is told. Harriet is content never to have learned to say “No.” And thrilled to have been selected as one of 250 images on the Utah Women 2020 Mural, public art commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.

Tony Tsai, MBA

Tony Tsai is the Director of Career and Leadership Develop for University of Utah Health Sciences, a Co-Director in the Utah Coaching Advancement Network (U-CAN), and a Co-Director in the RealMD program. He helps learners and professionals connect to their meaning and authentic purpose in their careers through coaching and leadership training. In previous roles, he has led strategic transformation efforts in medical education at the University of Michigan Medical School and University of Utah Medical School. Prior to his roles in healthcare, he worked in finance and was head of career advising at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He was a former officer in the U.S. Army. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and an BBA from the Wharton School of Business.

Dr. Nancy Murphy, MD

Dr. Nancy Murphy is a Professor of Pediatrics and the Vice Chair of Faculty Engagement and Women in Pediatrics at the University of Utah's Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. A Certified Physician Development Coach, Dr. Murphy brings nearly three decades of experience in academic clinical practice and leadership to her coaching roles within the Utah Coaching Advancement Network (U-CAN) and the Department of Pediatrics.

Her coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that people are whole, creative, and resourceful. She emphasizes the importance of heightened self-awareness, enhanced communication skills, and clarity of purpose as essential components for achieving peak professional and personal fulfillment. Through individualized and team-oriented coaching, she cultivates growth and action, enabling others to reach their highest potential.

Dr. Murphy's background includes advanced leadership development programs with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM), along with graduate education in conflict resolution. Her multifaceted expertise positions her to effectively guide faculty and teams towards greater professional success and personal satisfaction.

Dr. Adam Bress, PharmD, MS

Adam Bress is a tenured associate professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine and a Hudson Institute–trained leadership and transition coach, committed to helping the institution’s faculty and staff thrive—both personally and professionally. Drawing on his background in heart disease and dementia prevention research and mentoring, as well as his formal coaching training, he provides a supportive, confidential environment where clients can gain clarity, build resilience, and realize their goals. Influenced by mindfulness practices like nonviolent communication and meditation, his approach balances empathy with structure, ensuring each session promotes genuine self-discovery and growth. Whether refining teaching or research, pursuing leadership roles, or seeking more fulfillment in daily work, he tailors each coaching partnership to the individual’s needs, helping them navigate challenges with greater confidence, authenticity, and purpose.

Dr. Amber Bledsoe, MD

Amber Bledsoe is a Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, specializing in early and mid-career coaching through UCAN. She has pursued advanced training through the International Coaching Federation (ICF)-accredited Physician Coaching Institute, with a focus on career fulfillment, personal well-being, resilience, leadership, and effective interpersonal communication. Her passion for coaching began during her tenure as Director of Quality Improvement and Vice Chair for Inpatient and Non-OR Services in the Department of Anesthesiology. This interest deepened through her involvement with UCAN, where she now supports clients in achieving personal growth and development. Additionally, she serves as a peer support resource for the resiliency office, providing assistance after career-impacting events.

Dr. Linda Edelman, PhD

Linda S. Edelman PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN is Emeritus Professor in the University of Utah College of Nursing. She earned her PhD in Nursing from the University of Utah in 2008 where she has been a tenure line faculty member for 16 years, during which she served as a Division Chair (2016-2018) and directed the Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence. Dr. Edelman’s research interests focus on how older adults, particularly those living in rural areas, access health care. She has received over $10,000,000 in external funding, including for the Utah Geriatric Education Consortium, a HRSA funded Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program, focusing on preparing the workforce and communities to provide age-friendly care for older adults. Dr. Edelman retired at the end of 2024 and is enjoying life on a small farm in Oregon's Willamette Valley. She remains passionate about supporting faculty in building successful academic careers that are balanced with full and joyful lives with family, friends and community.