After 27 years of service at the University of Iowa, Dr. Chris Jensen has retired. Upon his retirement, Dr. Jensen has been appointed Professor Emeritus of Pathology.

Dr. Jensen attended medical school at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, followed by pathology residency and fellowships in Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology in the University of Iowa Department of Pathology. His first job was in community practice in Fort Collins, Colorado, a role which informed and enhanced his future academic practice.

In 1999, he returned to the University of Iowa Department of Pathology as faculty in Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology, and in 2001 became Director of Cytopathology and Program Director for the Cytopathology Fellowship. The Cytopathology Division flourished under his direction for the next 22 years, with strong relationships forged with clinical colleagues, as well as countless fellows and residents trained to the highest level in cytopathology. He served as the Pathology Residency Program Director from 2012–2016, and won the Special Recognition for Student Teaching Award and the Frank A. Mitros Excellence in Clinical Teaching and Services Award. His scholarly interests were broad with particularly notable contributions in the clinical/practical study of Cytopathology, and he mentored many trainees and faculty in how to produce scholarship out of strong clinical work.
 

Dr. Jensen was a deft surgical pathologist and cytopathologist with expertise in many areas, especially gastrointestinal/liver, pancreatobiliary, and thoracic pathology. He was often the voice of reason in departmental faculty meetings and committees, and he could always be counted on to provide a keen eye and a pithy comment when asked to review a case in consultation from one of his colleagues. Outside of his service as a physician, Chris and his wife, Sheral, raised four great kids, and he is an avid gardener and steward of the land. Over the last three decades, he humbly set an example for trainees and faculty alike about how to be fulfilled in one’s personal and professional life.

During faculty recruitments, Dr. Jensen would often say the best fit in our department is someone who can function like a utility infielder on a baseball team. In that metaphor, Chris was able to play shortstop, all the bases, and sometimes even pitcher or catcher for our team—and play all of these positions well and occasionally at the same time. He is already missed dearly, and we wish him all the best in retirement.