Aaron Jensen, MD
Associate Professor
Surgery
School of Medicine
Dr. Aaron Jensen is a pediatric and trauma surgeon who focuses on providing emergency care for children. He has training in trauma and surgical critical care, and is active in national efforts to improve outcomes for injured children. He is also interested in conditions in newborns that may require surgery.
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He has additional training in minimally invasive surgery and can apply these techniques to children of all ages.
Jensen understands that surgery can be frightening for children and their parents. He works with a team of providers to help families navigate the experience, and strives to be informative and transparent so they know what to expect throughout the process.
Jensen's research focuses on all aspects of injury, ranging from prevention to which techniques improve care provided by medical professionals immediately after injury and over the long term. He develops and evaluates educational programs to help prevent injuries in kids before they occur, covering issues such as safe street-crossing habits, helmet use and car seat use. He also develops and evaluates programs that use realistic patient simulators to train nurses and doctors to provide high-quality care as a team for injured kids in the emergency room. He studies the impact of different methods of providing nutritional support to severely injured kids in the intensive care unit, and he studies the outcomes of specific injuries, with the goal of improving methods of identifying and treating them.
After earning his medical degree at Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Jensen completed a residency in general surgery at the University of Washington. He completed fellowships in surgical critical care, pediatric minimally invasive surgery and pediatric surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. He has completed additional research training in education at the University of Washington and in clinical and translational science at the University of Southern California.
Jensen is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He belongs to numerous professional organizations, including the Society for Critical Care Medicine, American Pediatric Surgical Association, International Pediatric Endosurgery Group, Pediatric Trauma Society, Association for Surgical Education, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma and Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
In his free time, Jensen enjoys spending time with his spouse and kids, and cheering for Bay Area sports teams.
Awards
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- New Member Award for Research, Pacific Coast Surgical Association, 2019
- Future Trauma Leaders Program Travel Scholarship, American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, 2016-2018
- Barbara M Korsch Award for Research in Medical Education, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 2014
- Linnea Hauge PhD Promising Educational Scholar Award, Association for Surgical Education, 2012
- Resident Award for Exemplary Teaching, American College of Surgeons, 2011
- David Tapper Resident Teaching & Leadership Award, University of Washington Department of Surgery, 2011
- Jeannette and H. Peter Kriendler Charitable Trust Leadership Scholarship, Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons, 2010
- Surgical Education Research Fellowship, Association for Surgical Education, 2006-2008
- Herman Brown Award for Excellence in the Study of the Art and Science of Surgery, Temple University School of Medicina, 2004
Education & Training
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- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training University of California 2019
- MS Clinical, Biomedical, and Translational Science University of Southern California 05/2019
- Fellowship, Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery Children's Hospital Los Angeles 06/2015
- Fellowship, Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery Children's Hospital Los Angeles 06/2013
- Fellowship, Pediatric Surgical Critical Care Children's Hospital Los Angeles 06/2012
- Residency, General Surgery University of Washington 06/2011
- MEd Curriculum and Instruction / Educational Communication and Technology University of Washington College of Education 06/2008
- MD Medicine Temple University School of Medicine 06/2004
- BS Biochemistry California State University 06/2000
Websites
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- @@arjensenmd on Twitter (twitter.com)
Publications (68)
Top publication keywords:
Parenteral NutritionPediatricsChild AbuseBrain Injuries, TraumaticPhysical AbuseTrauma CentersWounds and InjuriesWounds, NonpenetratingClinical CompetenceResuscitationTraumatologyAbdominal InjuriesGeneral SurgeryPatient Care TeamSimulation Training
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Prevalence and Outcomes of High versus Low Ratio Plasma to Red Blood Cell Resuscitation in a Multi-Institutional Cohort of Severely Injured Children
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 2024 92. Mehl SC, Vogel AM, Glasgow AE, Moody S, Kotagal M, Williams RF, Kayton ML, Alberto EC, Burd RS, Schroeppel TJ, Baerg JE, Munoz A, Rothstein WB, Boomer LA, Campion EM, Robinson C, Nygaard RM, … -
Evaluating Health Literacy in Families of Injured Children:
A Prospective Observational Cohort Study at a Level One Pediatric Trauma Center
Journal of Pediatric Surgery 2024 C Melhado MD MAS, E Kao MD, L Evans MD, CQ Stephens MD MPH, H Lee MD, and AR Jensen MD MEd -
The Sensitivity of Limited-Sequence MRI in Identifying Pediatric Cervical Spine Injury: A Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 2024 C Melhado MD MS, MS R Durand DO, KW Russell MD, NE Polukoff MD, J Rampton MD, RR Iyer MD, SN Acker MD, R Koehler PA, C Prendergast, N Stence MD, B O’Neill MD, B Padilla MD, R Jamshidi MD, JA Vaughn MD… -
Decision-making in Pleural Drainage Following Lung Resection in Children: A Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium Survey
Journal of Pediatric Surgery 2024 JK Schnuck, SN Acker, LI Kelley-Quon, JH Lee, SB Shew, E Fialkowski, RC Ignacio, C Melhado, FG Qureshi, KW Russell, David H. Rothstein on behalf of the Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium (… -
Pediatric Readiness and Trauma Centers: History, Relevance, and Practical Application
Current Trauma Reports 2023 CG Melhado MD, BK Yorkgitis MD, K Remick MD, L Gray, CG Macias MD MPH, MW Dingeldein MD, and AR Jensen MD MEd MS.
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TQIP Mortality Reporting System Case Reports: Unanticipated Mortality due to Communication and Handoff Failures
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 2023 RF Williams MD MPH, SP Mandell MD MPH, and the TQIP Mortality Reporting System Writing Group (including AR Jensen – writing group lead). -
TQIP Mortality Reporting System Case Reports: Unanticipated Mortality due to Airway Loss
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 2023 JW Scott MD MPH, FJ Cole MD, and the TQIP Mortality Reporting System Writing Group (including AR Jensen – writing group lead). -
TQIP Mortality Reporting System Case Reports: Unanticipated Mortality due to Failures in Clinical Performance
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 2023 RF Williams MD MPH, KA Davis MD, and the TQIP Mortality Reporting System Writing Group (including AR Jensen – writing group lead). -
TQIP Mortality Reporting System Case Reports: Unanticipated Mortality due to Inadequate Preoperative ICU ‘Clearance'
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 2023 SW Ross MD MPH, DG Jacobs MD and the TQIP Mortality Reporting System Writing Group (including AR Jensen – writing group lead). -
Post-discharge rehabilitation and functional recovery after pediatric injury.
Injury 2022 Maddux AB, VanBuren JM, Jensen AR, Holubkov R, Alvey JS, McQuillen P, Mourani PM, Meert KL, Burd RS, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health, Human Development Collaborative … -
Developing a National Trauma Research Action Plan: Results from the Pediatric Research Gap Delphi Survey.
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery 2022 Groner JI, Phuong J, Price MA, Bixby PJ, Ehrlich PF, Burd RS, Jensen AR, Rivara FP, Sribnick EA, Bulger EM -
Torso vascular trauma.
Seminars in pediatric surgery 2021 Evans LL, Aarabi S, Durand R, Upperman JS, Jensen AR -
Hospital-based intervention is rarely needed for children with low-grade blunt abdominal solid organ injury: An analysis of the Trauma Quality Improvement Program registry.
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery 2021 Evans LL, Williams RF, Jin C, Plumblee L, Naik-Mathuria B, Streck CJ, Jensen AR -
Functional status impairment at six-month follow-up is independently associated with child physical abuse mechanism.
Child abuse & neglect 2021 Jensen AR, Evans LL, Meert KL, VanBuren JM, Richards R, Alvey JS, Holubkov R, Pollack MM, Burd RS, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Collaborative Pediat -
Factors Associated With Functional Impairment After Pediatric Injury.
JAMA surgery 2021 Burd RS, Jensen AR, VanBuren JM, Richards R, Holubkov R, Pollack MM, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Collaborative Pediat, Berg RA, Carcillo JA, … -
Attitudes Affecting Decision-Making for Use of Radiologic Enteral Contrast in the Management of Pediatric Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction: A Survey Study of Pediatric Surgeons.
The Journal of surgical research 2021 Acker SN, Diaz-Miron J, Ignacio RC, Thangarajah H, Russell KW, Lofberg K, Shew SB, Peterson PN, Kelley-Quon LI, Jensen AR, Lee J, Padilla B, Smith CA, Kastenberg ZJ, Azarow KS, Ostlie DJ, Wang KS, … -
Isolated low-grade solid organ injuries in children following blunt abdominal trauma: Is it time to consider discharge from the emergency department?
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery 2020 Plumblee L, Williams R, Vane D, Zhang J, Jensen A, Naik-Mathuria B, Evans L, Streck CJ -
Timing and volume of crystalloid and blood products in pediatric trauma: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter prospective observational study.
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery 2020 Polites SF, Moody S, Williams RF, Kayton ML, Alberto EC, Burd RS, Schroeppel TJ, Baerg JE, Munoz A, Rothstein WB, Boomer LA, Campion EM, Robinson C, Nygaard RM, Richardson CJ, Garcia DI, Streck CJ, … -
Patient-centered outcomes research and the injured patient: a summary of application.
Trauma surgery & acute care open 2020 Godat LN, Jensen AR, Stein DM, Coalition for National Trauma Research Scientific Advisory Council -
Cervical Spine Clearance in the Pediatric Trauma Patient
Curr Treat Options Peds 2019 McLaughlin, C.M., Jensen, A.R. & Upperman, J.S. -
Simulation-based training is associated with lower risk-adjusted mortality in ACS pediatric TQIP centers.
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery 2019 Jensen AR, McLaughlin C, Subacius H, McAuliff K, Nathens AB, Wong C, Meeker D, Burd RS, Ford HR, Upperman JS -
Timing of tracheostomy placement among children with severe traumatic brain injury: A propensity-matched analysis.
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery 2019 McLaughlin C, Darcy D, Park C, Lane CJ, Mack WJ, Bliss DW, Bhalla A, Upperman JS, Nathens AB, Burd RS, Jensen AR -
Symptomatic catheter-associated thrombosis in pediatric trauma patients: Choose your access wisely.
Surgery 2019 McLaughlin CM, Barin EN, Fenlon M, Azen C, Deakers TW, Stein JE, Bliss DW, Upperman JS, Jensen AR -
Identifying Targets to Improve Coding of Child Physical Abuse at a Pediatric Trauma Center.
Journal of trauma nursing : the official journal of the Society of Trauma Nurses 2019 Durand MB, McLaughlin CM, Imagawa KK, Upperman JS, Jensen AR -
EAST multicenter trial of simulation-based team training for pediatric trauma: Resuscitation task completion is highly variable during simulated traumatic brain injury resuscitation.
American journal of surgery 2019 Jensen AR, Bullaro F, Falcone RA, Daugherty M, Young LC, McLaughlin C, Park C, Lane C, Prince JM, Scherzer DJ, Maa T, Dunn J, Wining L, Hess J, Santos MC, O'Neill J, Katz E, O'Bosky K, Young T, … -
Interactive Education is Associated With Lower Incidence of Pedestrian-Related Injury in Children.
The Journal of surgical research 2019 McLaughlin CM, Barry WE, Barin EN, Mert M, Lowery C, Upperman JS, Jensen AR, Arbogast H -
Parenteral nutrition prolongs hospital stay in children with nonoperative blunt pancreatic injury: A propensity score weighted analysis.
Journal of pediatric surgery 2019 McLaughlin C, Park C, Lane CJ, Mack WJ, Bliss D, Upperman JS, Jensen AR -
Multidisciplinary Simulation-Based Team Training for Trauma Resuscitation: A Scoping Review.
Journal of surgical education 2019 McLaughlin C, Barry W, Barin E, Kysh L, Auerbach MA, Upperman JS, Burd RS, Jensen AR -
Laparotomy complications on extracorporeal life support: Surgical site bleeding does not increase mortality.
Journal of pediatric surgery 2019 Barry WE, Castle SL, Golden J, Rosenberg DM, Jensen AR, Bliss D -
Non-Operative Management is More Cost-Effective than Immediate Operation in Perforated Appendicitis Patients with Seven or More Days of Symptoms.
The Journal of surgical research 2019 Isani MA, Jackson J, Barry WE, Mallicote MU, Rosenberg D, Stein JE, Jensen AR, Kim ES -
Pediatric firearm injuries in Los Angeles County: Younger children are more likely to be the victims of unintentional firearm injury.
Journal of pediatric surgery 2018 Barry WE, Barin E, McLaughlin CM, Strumwasser A, Shekherdimian S, Arbogast H, Upperman JS, Jensen AR -
Impact of simulation-based training on perceived provider confidence in acute multidisciplinary pediatric trauma resuscitation.
Pediatric surgery international 2018 McLaughlin CM, Wieck MM, Barin EN, Rake A, Burke RV, Roesly HB, Young LC, Chang TP, Cleek EA, Morton I, Goodhue CJ, Burd RS, Ford HR, Upperman JS, Jensen AR -
Preoperative Educational Intervention Decreases Unplanned Gastrostomy-Related Health Care Utilization.
The American surgeon 2018 Barry WE, Barin EN, Marshall LC, Doherty M, Nguyen E, McLaughlin C, Kaplan L, Stein JE, Jensen AR -
Retrospective Cohort Comparison of Fall Height in Children in the Greater Los Angeles Area: Targeting Populations for Injury Prevention.
Journal of community health 2018 Zagory JA, McLaughlin C, Mallicote M, Arbogast H, Upperman JS, Jensen AR -
Delivery of Advanced Pediatric Surgical Care as a Model for Health Equity, Education, and Development: The First Separation of Conjoined Twins in Haiti
Letters in Health and Biological Sciences 2018 Golden J, Linden A, Morse M, Rouzier V, Jensen AR, Romain JL, Han P, Bitar M, Bitar J, Stein J, Farmer P, Ford HR -
Heads Up, Phones Down: A Pedestrian Safety Intervention on Distracted Crosswalk Behavior.
Journal of community health 2018 Barin EN, McLaughlin CM, Farag MW, Jensen AR, Upperman JS, Arbogast H -
Pediatric trauma-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome: Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes.
Journal of pediatric surgery 2018 de Roulet A, Burke RV, Lim J, Papillon S, Bliss DW, Ford HR, Upperman JS, Inaba K, Jensen AR -
Simulation-based training for trauma resuscitation among ACS TQIP-Pediatric centers: Understanding prevalence of use, associated center characteristics, training factors, and implementation barriers.
American journal of surgery 2018 Jensen AR, McLaughlin C, Wong CF, McAuliff K, Nathens AB, Barin E, Meeker D, Ford HR, Burd RS, Upperman JS -
Self-assessment of team performance using T-NOTECHS in simulated pediatric trauma resuscitation is not consistent with expert assessment.
American journal of surgery 2018 Wieck MM, McLaughlin C, Chang TP, Rake A, Park C, Lane C, Burke RV, Young LC, Cleek EA, Morton I, Goodhue CJ, Burd RS, Ford HR, Upperman JS, Jensen AR -
Timing of mortality in pediatric trauma patients: A National Trauma Data Bank analysis.
Journal of pediatric surgery 2017 McLaughlin C, Zagory JA, Fenlon M, Park C, Lane CJ, Meeker D, Burd RS, Ford HR, Upperman JS, Jensen AR -
A needs assessment of education research topics among surgical educators in the United States.
American journal of surgery 2016 Phitayakorn R, Salles A, Falcone JL, Jensen AR, Steinemann S, Torbeck L -
Re-evaluation of liver transaminase cutoff for CT after pediatric blunt abdominal trauma.
Pediatric surgery international 2016 Zagory JA, Dossa A, Golden J, Jensen AR, Goodhue CJ, Upperman JS, Gayer CP -
Qualitative assessment of simulation-based training for pediatric trauma resuscitation.
Surgery 2016 Burke RV, Demeter NE, Goodhue CJ, Roesly H, Rake A, Young LC, Chang TP, Cleek E, Morton I, Upperman JS, Jensen AR -
Planning for the Pediatric Patient During a Disaster
Current Trauma Reports 2016 Zagory JA, Jensen AR, Burke RV, Upperman JS -
Complication risks associated with lower versus upper extremity peripherally inserted central venous catheters in neonates with gastroschisis.
Journal of pediatric surgery 2014 Ma M, Garingo A, Jensen AR, Bliss D, Friedlich P -
Infant head injury in falls and nonaccidental trauma: does injury pattern correlate with mechanism?
Pediatric emergency care 2014 Pontarelli EM, Jensen AR, Komlofske KM, Bliss DW -
Laparoscopic versus open treatment of congenital duodenal obstruction: multicenter short-term outcomes analysis.
Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques. Part A 2013 Jensen AR, Short SS, Anselmo DM, Torres MB, Frykman PK, Shin CE, Wang K, Nguyen NX -
A structured self-directed basic skills curriculum results in improved technical performance in the absence of expert faculty teaching.
Surgery 2012 Wright AS, McKenzie J, Tsigonis A, Jensen AR, Figueredo EJ, Kim S, Horvath K -
Educational feedback in the operating room: a gap between resident and faculty perceptions.
American journal of surgery 2012 Jensen AR, Wright AS, Kim S, Horvath KD, Calhoun KE -
Methodologies for establishing validity in surgical simulation studies.
Surgery 2009 Van Nortwick SS, Lendvay TS, Jensen AR, Wright AS, Horvath KD, Kim S -
The use of a spring-loaded silo for gastroschisis: impact on practice patterns and outcomes.
Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) 2009 Jensen AR, Waldhausen JH, Kim SS -
Expanding surgical clerkships to remote community sites: the success of the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho experience.
American journal of surgery 2009 Tatum RP, Jensen A, Langdale LA -
Acquiring basic surgical skills: is a faculty mentor really needed?
American journal of surgery 2009 Jensen AR, Wright AS, Levy AE, McIntyre LK, Foy HM, Pellegrini CA, Horvath KD, Anastakis DJ -
The association of cyclic parenteral nutrition and decreased incidence of cholestatic liver disease in patients with gastroschisis.
Journal of pediatric surgery 2009 Jensen AR, Goldin AB, Koopmeiners JS, Stevens J, Waldhausen JH, Kim SS -
Laboratory-based instruction for skin closure and bowel anastomosis for surgical residents.
Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) 2008 Jensen AR, Wright AS, McIntyre LK, Levy AE, Foy HM, Anastakis DJ, Pellegrini CA, Horvath KD -
Using Simulation-Based Training to Improve Clinical Outcomes: Central Venous Catheter Placement as a Model for Programmed Training
Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery 2008 Jensen AR, Sinanan MN -
Skin flaps and grafts: a primer for the National Technical Skills Curriculum advanced tissue-handling module.
Journal of surgical education 2008 Jensen AR, Klein MB, Ver Halen JP, Wright AS, Horvath KD -
Expanding resident conferences while tailoring them to level of training: a longitudinal study.
Journal of surgical education 2008 Farrohki ET, Jensen AR, Brock DM, Cole JK, Mann GN, Pellegrini CA, Horvath KD -
Effective instruction of vascular anastomosis in the surgical skills laboratory.
American journal of surgery 2008 Jensen AR, Milner R, Achildi O, Gaughan J, Wilhite DB, Grewal H -
The emotional intelligence of surgical residents: a descriptive study.
American journal of surgery 2008 Jensen AR, Wright AS, Lance AR, O'Brien KC, Pratt CD, Anastakis DJ, Pellegrini CA, Horvath KD -
Secondary abdominal compartment syndrome in children with burns and trauma: a potentially lethal complication.
Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association 2006 Jensen AR, Hughes WB, Grewal H -
A Kansas wheat harvest: near-fatal asphyxiation with wheat grains.
Journal of pediatric surgery 2005 Arneson M, Jensen A, Grewal H -
Gastric outlet obstruction secondary to a large trichobezoar.
Journal of pediatric surgery 2005 Jensen AR, Trankiem CT, Lebovitch S, Grewal H -
An inexpensive ex-vivo porcine laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication training model.
JSLS : Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons 2005 Jensen AR, Milner R, Gaughan J, Grewal H -
Short-term sleep deficits do not adversely affect acquisition of laparoscopic skills in a laboratory setting.
Surgical endoscopy 2004 Jensen A, Milner R, Fisher C, Gaughan J, Rolandelli R, Grewal H -
Laparoscopy Is Useful for Successful Distal Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement in Children with Previous Abdominal Surgery
Pediatric Endosurgery & Innovative Techniques 2004 Jensen A, Grewal H, Sahr S, Bierbrauer K -
Utilization of a Transsternal Spinal Needle for Retrograde Suture Passage During Thoracoscopic Aortopexy
Pediatric Endosurgery & Innovative Techniques 2004 Jensen A, Le D, Albanese CT -
Pediatric surgical images: mixed gonadal dysgenesis.
Journal of pediatric surgery 2003 Jensen A, Grewal H, Dean G, Rezvani I