Dr. Christopher Benson has been named the Clinical Chief of Cardiology for the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Dr. Benson is a Professor of Internal Medicine and of Pharmacology and Chief of Cardiology at the VA Medical Center. He received his MD from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine where he also did his residency. He then completed a four-year cardiovascular fellowship at Oregon Health Sciences University, during which he received an AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant and an NIH Cardiovascular Signal Transduction Training Grant. Dr. Benson joined the University of Iowa in 1999, and has distinguished himself with multiple research publications in areas related to the function and modulation of acid-sensing ion channels. He has held multiple NIH grants and is currently performing research under a VA Merit grant. As the Associate Director of the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Training Program, Dr. Benson has also demonstrated his commitment to education.

As Clinical Chief, Dr. Benson will oversee the broad scope of all Divisional clinical operations, working toward strengthening clinical teams and improving the quality of clinical care and faculty satisfaction. Dr. Benson will coordinate with other Division Section Heads and with the Heart & Vascular Center to manage and find efficiencies in outpatient, inpatient, and outreach services. We are confident that his same level of skill, of service to the institution, and of dedication to the care of others will shine through in this new role. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Benson.