August 5, 2016

Gregory Christiansen, D.O., M.Ed., FACOEP-D, chair and associate professor of emergency medicine at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC, was named dean of the DMU College of Osteopathic Medicine. He will take office on Dec. 1.

Christiansen also serves as director of Campbell’s simulation lab, director of its ultrasound lab and medical director of its physician assistant program. He also plays a pivotal role in the student-run free clinic that allows Campbell students from a variety of programs to work in an interprofessional education setting.

Prior to joining Campbell University in 2014, Christiansen spent 14 years on the faculty of Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, where he served as director of simulation and an assistant professor in 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.

Christiansen has been a member of the board of directors of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) since 2001 and was president of the organization from 2011 to 2013. He also has 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 disaster events like hurricane Katrina.

Christiansen received his bachelor of science degree in biology from the Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture and his osteopathic medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his emergency medicine residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he served as chief resident during his final year. He also holds a master of education degree in adult learning from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education.

During DMU’s search for a permanent COM dean, Bret Ripley, D.O., FACOFP, FPLI, has served as interim dean. He is chair of family medicine.