Chair of Emergency Medicine Named Dean of Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

DES MOINES — Gregory Christiansen, DO, MEd, FACOEP-D, chair and associate professor of emergency medicine at Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) has been named dean of the DMU College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa.

Dr. Christiansen served in many roles during his tenure at Campbell including director of the simulation lab and medical director of the physician assistant program as well as a member of the Emergency Room staff at Harnett Health. An advocate for integrating ultrasound into the curriculum at CUSOM, Dr. Christiansen served as a passionate mentor to students regarding emergency medicine, pursuing research opportunities, and by volunteering regularly at the student run free clinic.

Prior to joining the CUSOM faculty in 2014, Christiansen served 14 years on the faculty of Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, where he served as director of simulation and an assistant professor in the emergency medicine department. He has been a staff physician in a variety of emergency medicine departments in New York and Virginia and currently serves as medical director of the Harnett County, NC, Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Dr. Christiansen is a member of the board of directors of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) and was president of the organization from 2011 to 2013. He has also been a member of the boards of directors of the Emergency Medicine Action Fund advocacy group and the Old Dominion Emergency Medical Service Counsel; a reviewer for the journal Resuscitation; and medical director for the Chesterfield United Soccer Club and several emergency medical service agencies. As medical commander of the Virginia-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team, he was deployed to support the president and to assist during disasters including Hurricane Katrina.  Dr. Christiansen continues to be a voice for patients and the profession through local and national organizations including serving as a member of a National Security Council Roundtable in 2015.

“Dr. Christiansen has served CUSOM and the patients in Harnett County with passion and empathy,” said John M. Kauffman, Jr. dean of Campbell’s medical school.  “We are thankful for the work he has done at CUSOM and wish him continued success as he serves DMU-COM as dean.”

Dr. Christiansen will take office as dean on Dec. 1, 2016 in Des Moines.