Dr. Christenson is professor of pathology and professor of medical and research technology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. He is director of the clinical chemistry, toxicology, and core laboratories as well as medical director of point-of-care services at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He directs a research laboratory that specializes in government- and industry-sponsored clinical trials and has an active research program in biomarkers of cardiovascular disease and renal dysfunction. Dr. Christenson led the AACC through another successful year in 2013, the inaugural year of a new strategic plan that renews the organization’s focus on its fundamental pillars. The AACC formally received a $3 million endowment from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation to fund its emerging countries activities. Dr. Christenson conducted planning sessions with the Association’s leadership to establish the direction of its global strategy. He worked with the professional staff to create a culture of organized development and fiscal responsibility that frees a portion of reserve funds for use on several new strategic projects and emphasizes the use of formal business plans. He established a task force to map the future and develop a financial strategy for the long-term sustainability of the Clinical Chemistry Trainee Council, a visionary program to promote laboratory medicine worldwide. The publication world is undergoing a game-changing transformation that has created new models of disseminating knowledge, so he formed a task force to explore how a new AACC journal could meet this challenge. Perhaps Dr. Christenson’s most important action was to “close the deal” to bring Janet Kreizman on board as the chief executive officer, a move that promises a vibrant future for the AACC.
Interview about Evidence Based Laboratory Medicine (2012/06/06)
Interview about Cardiac Biomarkers (2012/10/17)
