Member of the Week: Dr. Ben Christensen
Practice: I work at the Intermountain Draper Family Practice Clinic, and still do a few Instacare shifts per month for variety. I found my passion in preventative care medicine, and really enjoy and value long-term relationships with my patients.
Residency: Utah Valley Family Medicine Residency
A bit about Dr. Christensen: I am a long-term Utah product, I went to Bingham High School (Go Miners!) and Utah State (Go Aggies!) after a mission to Rome, Italy (Forza Roma!). I met my wife Melinda on the first day of college, we added a child at each stage of our life after that. Emerson was born in Logan, Sammi was born in Columbus, Ohio (Go Buckeyes!), Maddi was born during residency (Utah Valley Regional!) and Biv came during our first couple of years of practice in Draper (born at Riverton Hospital, Go Silverwolves!). I spend most of my time these days chasing my children through mountain biking, cross country, competitive soccer, piano, voice and new-to-this-season softball. I enjoy Jeeping, fishing, biking and just being outdoors.
What keeps you passionate about family medicine? On of my residency mentors asked me once if I was having fun and enjoying seeing patients in clinic. I’ve thought about that for almost 10 years now, and I really do enjoy what I do. I feel like I am helping. I really do enjoy interacting with people.
What do you wish you’d known when you graduated from medical school? I’m not sure I understood what family medicine really was upon graduation. Some things, like the people, are better than I hoped for. I really love my office, the staff, and enjoy working with the other providers. There are some real struggles though as well with constant change, turnover, and ever-increasing paperwork.
Where will we find you on your day off? Heading out to the Uintas to catch a fish or down to Moab to conquer a trail.
What are you…
reading right now: Walt Longmire series
watching right now: Fast and the Furious series
listening to right now: True Spies podcast