10-year anniversary of the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute - Tributes to Atul Butte
Commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute - and what has come to be called the “Butte Decade of Impact.”
On August 19, 2025, leaders and colleagues gathered at UCSF to commemorate the institute’s 10th anniversary and share reflections on the many ways Atul Butte, MD, PhD (1969–2025), inspired them and transformed the world around him over the past 10 years, during his tenure as inaugural executive director of the UCSF Bakar Health Sciences Institute.
Leaders from across UCSF shares works of gratitude for Atul Butte’s leadership and scientific prowess.
The follow provides key quotes from this day together. Each quote provides insight into Atul Butte’s craft - data science, computer science and medicine. They also reveal Dr. Butte’s unique ability to lead through his humanity. We learn how he positioned the institute to succeed, thanks to his tireless efforts to share his vision and educate others. As they day concluded, colleagues used the opportunity to envision what the next 10 years about look like, based on the fantastic foundation, set in motion thanks to the foresight of Sam Hawgood, MBBS, as chancellor at UCSF, to hire Dr. Butte for the role in 2015, and thanks to the incredible progress made by Dr. Butte during this relatively short period of time.
[The quotes below are also available in audio via a YouTube reel published by UC Tech News, entitled: The Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute 10-year Anniversary - The Butte Decade of Impact]
Testimonies shared
During the day-long event, leaders and colleagues of Dr. Butte’s took a moment to express a small fraction of what he leaves behind, collectively telling a profound story about the way that a rare individual spent his time impacting people and the industry through his humanity and deep commitment to both these responsibilities.
Talmadge King, MD, Dean, UCSF School of Medicine: “He believed ideas could change everything, and he lived that belief every day.”
Marina Sirota, PhD, Interim Executive Director: “An incredible person - a visionary scientist and mentor, a devoted husband and father and a very dear friend to many of us.”
William Brown, PhD: “Atul’s wisdom: ‘We can make an impact, but we can’t control everything.’”
Rohit Vashisht, PhD: “Training UCSF-GPT for the price of a Costco membership.”
Sara Murray, MD: “Monitoring and evaluating AI to make sure it is safe, fair and trustworthy.”
Sharmila Majumdar, PhD: “It’s a decade of work, but it is the impact of a century.”
Sam Hawgood, MBBS, Chancellor: “Next we renew our commitment to the kind of bold, innovative work that Atul exemplified.”
Keith Yamamoto, PhD: “Celebrating the ‘Butte Decade of Impact.’ A ‘Butte Big Bang.’”
Taragini (Gini) Deshpande, PhD, also shared her views and leadership for what lies ahead.
Marina Sirota, PhD shared a poem she had used ChatGPT to help create:
Marina Sirota, PhD: “I leave you with a few words that I put together in collaboration with ChatGPT.” She shared the following words, which were displayed with photos depicting Atul Butte’s humanity...as reflected in those colleagues he leaves behind him - those that will carry the torch for the field he defined and lead throughout his career - computational health.
“In quiet June, the world stood still, a brighter light no time could show a fighter’s heart, a brilliant flame now echoes through the halls of fame. He dreamed in data, saw in code, a path where hope and healing flowed from Stanford’s gates to UCSF stalls. He built an institute that calls the best to dare the brave, to try to reach beyond, to ask why. He shaped a field from spark to star. Made health inequities stretch far. He taught us how to lead with grace, to think with fire, yet hold our pace, to mentor, guide and build a team and chase the edge of every dream. Awards adorn his storied name, but kindness was his truest claim. He lifted voices, cleared the way for all who sought a brighter day, a husband, strong, a father, proud, his love, unwavering, clear and loud, his laughter light, his vision, deep, a legacy the world will keep. Though cancer came, he would not yield. He battled fiercely, heartless shield. Yet even now, his work is not done, his vision marches with the sun. So here we stand, though hearts may ache with vows anew that we will make to share, to build, to seek the truth, to honor. Atul’s boundless youth, the world has lost a rare, bright mind. But in this wake we each will find a call to lead. A call to give, his legacy will grow and live.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Vivek Rudrapatna, MD, PhD, closed the day with the following provocative question: “And so the question that I want to ask all of you is, what could this look like in another 10 years?”
Please keep this important question in mind and continue the connections & conversations generated by this commemoration, this institute and this incredible human being, Atul Butte and the Baker Computational Health Sciences Institute.
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RECOMMENDED READING
UCSF Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute at 10 Years
See the video clip of the images and quotes in a reel here.
Atul's colleagues - reflecting his humility
