Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Missouri, District 4, 2016

No caucus information on file.

Doctor, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital

Former Professor of Medicine, University of Missouri

Faculty, University of Missouri, 1988-2015

Chief of Staff, University of Missouri Hospital, 2008-2009

Physician & Scientist, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1983-2003

Faculty, University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences, 1979-1988

Member, American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2008-present

Fellow, American College of Physicians, 1992-present

Member, American Society for Microbiology, 1980-present

Fellow, Infectious Diseases Society of America, 1979-present

Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1974-present

Chair, University of Missouri Faculty Council, 2003-2005

Current Car:

Dodge Shadow (1992), Plymouth Voyager (1995), Toyota Sienna (2011)

Date of Wedding Anniversary:

June 9, 1970

Father's Name:

Thomas Gordon Christensen (deceased)

Father's Occupation:

Professor of Labor Law, New York University, and arbitrator

Favorite Author:

Patrick O'Brian

Favorite Book:

Martin Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis

Favorite Color:

No single color. I prefer high intensity, multicolor, primary colors (red, green, blue, yellow, white, black), together.

Favorite Movie:

It's a Wonderful Life

Favorite Musician:

The Beatles

Favorite President and Why:

President Truman. Because he was humble, down to earth, but brilliant and principled. He took responsibility, he made decisions, and his administration shaped the next 50 years of American history.

Favorite Sport:

Football

Favorite TV Shows:

Tie between the BBC Pride & Prejudice and West Wing

Favorite Type of Music:

Ballads sung by a woman

Favorite Vacation Spot:

Cades Cove, Great Smokey Mountain National Park

First Car:

1969 Plymouth Barracuda

First Job:

Newspaper delivery boy

Hobbies or Special Talents:

Rock collecting, stamp collecting, native American art, art, travel, and reading.

Mother's Name:

Jacqueline Day (maiden name). My parents divorced and both remarried. Her married name at the time of her death was Jacqueline Jay.

Mother's Occupation:

Amateur artist and geologist early. Later, Bank teller.

Name one thing you would most like to do before you die:

Write a novel.

Number of Grandchildren:

None

Person Most Want to Meet (Dead or Alive):

Jesus Christ

Pets (include names):

2 cats, 'Luna' & 'Peta.'

Reason for Seeking Public Office:

Fix the VA and national healthcare. I am motivated by the unresolved issues surrounding the serial murder of Veterans in the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital that took place in the 1990s. The fundamental problems persist and continue to cause the VA problems. I believe these problems can be improved by improved Congressional oversight. My major agenda is to promote universal healthcare and work to improve access to health care, reduce costs (including drug costs), and reduce the factors leading to the 'burnout' of healthcare providers.

In the 1990s, while serving as the Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development at the Columbia, Missouri, Veterans Hospital, I uncovered substantial epidemiological evidence that a hospital nurse was killing patients. My investigation began at the request of my VA superiors when rumors emerged of the deaths. The investigation confirmed the rumors, prompting removal of the nurse from patient care, and ending the deaths. The investigation found that at least 11 and possibly more than 60 people were killed. The case became a national scandal when despite my protests, the VA did not pursue a timely forensic investigation into the deaths. It became even more reprehensible when, despite my protests, the VA released the nurse to practice at another facility where more unexpected deaths occurred. These events prompted me to appeal to Missouri State officials and eventually, to members of Congress, to intervene. The matter was reviewed in Congressional hearings on three separate occasions, including an investigation by the General Accounting Office that substantiated my allegations that the VA Office of the Inspector General was colluding with the VA to cover-up these deaths and conduct reprisals against whistleblowers. This matter was also supported in a civil suit against the VA. Suffice it to say, this controversy ended my career in VA sponsored laboratory research.

I left the VA in 2003 and pursued a second career in tropical medicine while continuing my appointment at the University of Missouri. During this time, I was twice elected president of the University of Missouri faculty senate and also as Chief of Staff of the University of Missouri Hospital.

In 2015 I retired from the University of Missouri. In the meantime, the VA had against attracted national attention for veteran deaths, deceiving the public, and punishing whistleblowers. I decided to run for office because I believe my experiences will help me to address this problem.

Spouse's Occupation:

Clinical psychologist with the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1988-current