of Little Rock, AR
November 30, 1959 - September 25, 2020
Dr. Joseph Carl Jensen was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 30, 1959. He passed away of natural causes at the age of 60 on Friday, September 25, 2020 surrounded by family and friends in Arkansas. Joseph was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, poppy, and friend.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Marilyn and Joseph Jensen. He is survived by his wife, Ashley (Rew) Jensen; one son, Tyler (Kristen) Hill; one grandson, Hayden; one sister, Kathy (Russell) McKee; his mother in law, Monica Rew, and several extended family members.
Dr. Jensen received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1989. He interned and completed his general surgery residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in 1995. Following his surgical residency, he continued his training and completed a clinical fellowship in Trauma and Surgical Critical Care in 1996 at R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2009, Dr. Jensen earned a Master of Health Administration from Webster University and in 2012 he earned a Master of Business Administration from the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
His professional society memberships include: Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE); Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS); Academy of Management, Health Care Management Division; Association of Program Directors in Surgery; Association for Surgical Education; Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (East); Southwestern Surgical Congress; and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
Dr. Jensen practiced in the Division of Trauma and Critical Care Surgery at UAMS. He was a gifted surgeon who was part of a team that shaped trauma care in Arkansas while training hundreds of surgical residents during his 24 years as faculty. For 10 years, Dr. Jensen served as the General Surgery Residency Program Director and five years as the Student Clerkship Director in Surgery at UAMS. He was highly respected for his teaching.
Dr. Jensen served as Associate Chief Medical Officer for Quality and Safety (ACMO-QS) at UAMS from 2007 to 2012. During this time, he led and contributed to countless safety, quality improvement and clinical informatics initiatives.
Most recently, as a pilot himself, he took an interest in Aerospace Medicine and provided a service to many types of pilots as a FAA Designated Senior Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and FAA Designated Employee Examiner.
As a young boy in the 1970's, Dr. Jensen joined the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet and participated in several National Cadet Activities. In 1995, Dr. Jensen rejoined as a senior member in the Arkansas Wing where he continued to excel. His major awards include: Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, two Distinguished Service Medals, Commanders Commendation, and the Gil Rob Wilson Award Level V (highest CAP professional education award). At the time of his death, he held the rank of Colonel and served as the Southwest Region Health Services Officer and Assistant Safety Officer. To date, he has accomplished the highest awards possible in the organization.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Roller Chenal Funeral Home at 13801 Chenal Pkwy, Little Rock, AR 72211 at 11 a.m. We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and limiting indoor funeral and visitation attendance to 70 people at one time. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks before entering.
Sign Guestbook
18 Condolence(s)
Trudy Alecia Burns
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Casper, it is wonderful that you lived all you dreamed of. I remember when we were digging potatoes once at mother's house and you were so fascinated about them being underground instead of on a stalk. At 19 though raised in the city I guess you may not have realized. You always helped everyone you came into contact with. That was just you. God Bless your Family, I know they mi@ you and so do I.
Dennis Wolf
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
So sorry for your loss. I worked with Joe on the Germantown Fire Department. His nickname was Casper. I had no idea he passed away. Casper was a great, funny guy and a great paramedic. A funny story, he and I were riding for Medic Ambulance in South Memphis and we made a call on a sick party. It was in October, near Halloween, and at night, and it was very windy and kind of spooky weather. We arrived and found a family of about 8 people sitting in chairs and gliders on the front porch of a large home. The patient was an elderly male who was complaining of feeling sick, and upon examination we found that he had stopped taking his meds several day ago. He wife was telling us he wouldn’t listen to her when she tried to get him to take his medicine, so Joe, in a very loud voice and with great conviction, said, “This man is going to die!†There was a short pause and then the entire family began to wail. At that point Joe said in the same loud voice, “Unless he takes his medicine!†He wife said to him, “See, see, I TOLD you to take your medicine†and the entire family was telling him to listen to the paramedic. A unique approach to solving a problem. You and your family are in my prayers.
Tim Williams
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Joe. I worked with him at the Germantown Fire Department. As many have stated, Joe was one of the finest paramedics that I have ever worked with and was not surprised to learn of him reaching the status as a doctor that he did. Great man with a compassionate heart. To his family, sorry for your loss. As Allen Jones stated, we feel the loss as well in the fire department family.
Joseph Lowry
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Long before he was a Doctor, he had been a member of the Civil Air Patrol as a teen cadet. He spent several years as a "Class Act" Fire Fighter Paramedic. His training as a Navy Reserve Corpsmen prepared him to be one of the finest Paramedic's I have every worked with. Joe was the shift Paramedic at the Germantown Fire Department. I have responded to hundreds of very bad calls with him and he always had it together. He always knew everything to do and could orchestrate the worst of situations and make it all work right.. As Pre Hospital Emergency Care professionals go, he was the best. His bedside manner was spot on and he was a teaching paramedic. I worked with him several years. He was a good man.
Joseph Lowry
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Long before he was a Doctor, he had been a member of the Civil Air Patrol as a teen cadet. He spent several years as a "Class Act" Fire Fighter Paramedic. His training as a Navy Reserve Corpsmen prepared him to be one of the finest Paramedic's I have every worked with. Joe was the shift Paramedic at the Germantown Fire Department. I have responded to hundreds of very bad calls with him and he always had it together. He always knew everything to do and could orchestrate the worst of situations and make it all work right.. As Pre Hospital Emergency Care professionals go, he was the best. His bedside manner was spot on and he was a teaching paramedic. I worked with him several years. He was a good man.
Allen Jones
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
It’s with my deepest and sincerest condolences to hear of the passing of Dr Joe Jensen. I worked with Joe when he was a firefighter/paramedic with Germantown Fire Department. His ambition even then was to be a doctor. We responded to numerous critical calls together and his experiences helped me sharpen my paramedic skills. I would be lying if I didn’t say this notification doesn’t bring a tear to my eye. Joe was full of compassion and heart. Anytime a firefighter learns of the loss of a brother or sister it brings it close to the heart. And our department at the time was small. We did a lot with a little because of men and women like Joe. Rest In Peace doc I’ll see you over on the other side! Allen
John OBryan
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Joe worked for the Germantown Fire department in the late 70s and early 80s. He was one of the finest paramedics I ever had the honor to serve with. Rest In Peace my good friend.
Lesly James
Monday, October 12, 2020
To the Jensen family, I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Jensen was an extremely kind hearted person with a gentle spirit. He will be sorely missed. My prayers are with you Ashley.
Lesly James
Kim H Flanigin
Monday, October 12, 2020
Dear Ashley and family,
Joe was always a friend since the day we met in the early 1990’s. Funny, smart, caring, dedicated, interesting, only begin to describe how committed he was to life and helping others through the skills and knowledge his mind and heart absorbed. I am deeply saddened by his passing and give you my deepest condolences. Kim Flanigin.
Annette Thomas
Saturday, October 10, 2020
I worked with Dr.. Jensen for years in the Operating Room.. Sorry for your loss, may God continue to keep you and give you strength.
Jamie Daniel
Saturday, October 10, 2020
Joe was kind, funny, and genuinely cared about his surgical residents. I’ll never forget his kindness and support during a difficult time in my life during residency. He was a good man with a good heart, and he will he missed.
Larry Grace
Friday, October 9, 2020
I served with Joe on the FAA Safety Team in Little Rock. His knowledge in human factors in aviation was very good, and his dedication to aviation safety was outstanding. I very much enjoying working with him and getting to know him. Our prayers for peace for his family.
Larry Grace.
Laura Shope
Friday, October 9, 2020
Joe was a really brilliant person. His interest were vast, and his wit was quick. He’ll be missed in so many different avenues of life because he was so diversified and dynamic. He lived a full life . Rest In Peace, Joe.
Laura Shope
Friday, October 9, 2020
Joe was a really brilliant person. His interest were vast, and his wit was quick. He’ll be missed in so many different avenues of life because he was so diversified and dynamic. He lived a full life . Rest In Peace, Joe.
Lois Carr
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
RIP my friend. With love and fond memories.
Jamie Peacock
Sunday, October 4, 2020
Deepest sympathies to his loved ones.
Rick Keech
Sunday, October 4, 2020
May our Lord comfort you and your loved ones. I would like to offer you and your family our deepest and most sincere condolences and may the soul of Joseph Rest In Peace. It was an honor to have worked with him.
Srikanthan Kandasamy
Saturday, October 3, 2020
RIP,my friend.
You will be remembered for your services to the society.
Srikanthan Kandasamy