Randy L. Jensen,
MD, PhD
Languages Spoken: English, Japanese
Labs: Website
Dr. Randy Jensen specializes in Neurosurgery, Brain Tumors, Skull Base Surgery, Neuro Trauma and Neurocritical Care. He has a particular emphasis using preoperative imaging, intraoperative navigation, intraoperative cortical mapping and intraoperative MRI to maximize tumor resection and minimize surgical complications. He treats patients with malignant, benign, and metastatic brain tumors. He has many clinical trials for patients with brain tumors and has a laboratory effort examining brain tumor biology. He is also a member of the Brain Tumor Research Team at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Clinical Locations
Clinical Neurosciences Center
801-585-6065
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Patient Care Center801-585-0260
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Neurosurgery
-
Professor Oncological Sciences - Adjunct Professor Radiation Oncology - Adjunct Professor |
| Academic Divisions | Adult Neurosurgery |
| Board Certification | American Board of Neurological Surgery (Neurosurg) American Board of Neurological Surgery (Neurosurg) |
| Cancer Center Programs | Experimental Therapeutics |
Patient Ratings
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.8/ 5
Care provider spoke using clear language
4.8/ 5
Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.7/ 5
My confidence in care provider
4.8/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.7/ 5
Wait time at clinic
4.5/ 5
Time care provider spent with me
4.7/ 5
Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.7/ 5
Care provider's friendliness and courtesy
4.8/ 5
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
April 24, 2017
The only thing I can say is I wish he could have given me a little more info about what could go wrong.
UofU Patient
April 11, 2017
All my questions were discussed, and discomforts were not disregarded.
UofU Patient
March 11, 2017
I have and will continue to recommend patients to Dr. Jensen. He is kind, personable, and always involves me in decisions.
UofU Patient
March 11, 2017
No better surgeon than Dr. Jensen. It is a privilege to be one of his patients.
UofU Patient
March 04, 2017
Dr jensen is always a kind man
UofU Patient
December 24, 2016
incredible teamDr Jensen and team spent over an hour reviewing scans and explaining radiology report
UofU Patient
December 14, 2016
I really like and feel confident with Dr. Randy Jensen
UofU Patient
September 17, 2016
please don't change a thing. thank you so much
UofU Patient
August 29, 2016
I love Dr. Jensen. He is absolutely amazing.
UofU Patient
August 27, 2016
Will definitely recommend. I would not want to go to anyone else.
UofU Patient
August 27, 2016
Terrific care
UofU Patient
July 09, 2016
Feel very blessed to be in the care I have received and know I will receive in the months ahead.
UofU Patient
July 03, 2016
The whole staff in radiation is wonderful - caring and kind and compassionate and informative.
UofU Patient
May 26, 2016
I felt respected and safe
UofU Patient
May 23, 2016
excellent service
UofU Patient
May 21, 2016
I couldn't get a better experience. I am so happy with my visit there
UofU Patient
May 02, 2016
this was only a follow up visit with very few active issues to discuss.
UofU Patient
April 29, 2016
Dr Jensen couldn't do better at addressing the problem at hand; we feel confidence in his expertise and in his ability to counsel regarding the status of the medical problem
UofU Patient
April 27, 2016
Dr. Randy Jensen is fantastic.
UofU Patient
April 26, 2016
we will and have told people to go to the Huntsman truly the best Hospital and staff ever
UofU Patient
March 15, 2016
This is the greatest doctor ever he takes time to do anything he can for his patients!!!!
UofU Patient
March 05, 2016
Very good
UofU Patient
January 30, 2016
I never felt rushed. Everything was explained to me very clearly.
UofU Patient
January 30, 2016
Even though the physician was unable to do anything further for my condition, he made sure other physicians were informed and appointments for that care were made without hesitstion and I was contacted regarding when and where they were.
UofU Patient
January 10, 2016
Dr Jensen is awesome. He is most personable and competent Dr I have ever met. Definitely a keeper!!
UofU Patient
January 06, 2016
I left with no answers and still don't have them! It's very discouraging
UofU Patient
December 07, 2015
DR. Jensen reviewed my MRI and showed where the changes were and answered all of our questions. He was very approachable, knowledgeable and helpful.
UofU Patient
November 20, 2015
I feel like Dr. Jenson and melody treat me as if they were treating one of their own family members!! I feel like they truly care and do there absolute best when helping me to understand my condition and medication I'm taking. I'm truly blessed to have a doctor like him, and nurse that I can call at any moment and never feel like an inconvenience. Thank you so much!!
UofU Patient
November 14, 2015
I saw several doctors. They each answered my questions. I was impressed by the care they took to ensure I understood their answers.
UofU Patient
October 27, 2015
Dr. Jensen, is a wonderful Dr. Very friendly and caring. He took extra time to talk to us about our daughter who just had brain surgery. We love how easy it is to talk to him! A big thank you to him and his great staff!
UofU Patient
October 18, 2015
I know I had to wait a long time but I didn't feel like my time with the doctor got rushed in any way to catch up, which I appreciated.
UofU Patient
October 14, 2015
A doctor that can make you smile inspite of your problems.
UofU Patient
October 12, 2015
good
UofU Patient
October 10, 2015
My greatest contact has been with a physician assistant and these answers are just for him. Otherwise it becomes an average.
UofU Patient
September 09, 2015
love all care providers in this department
UofU Patient
August 30, 2015
Dr. Jensen is just so approachable, compassionate, and friendly. He directed his conversation to my 17 year-old daughter right at the onset, and he made her feel so comfortable.
UofU Patient
August 22, 2015
Both Dr.s Jensen & Coleman were very good about helping me explore all my options
UofU Patient
June 27, 2015
I am putting me complete confidence in the Huntsman Team.
UofU Patient
June 11, 2015
Dr. Jensen is so personable and makes you feel at ease the minute he steps into the exam room. He makes you feel as though you are the only one he is concerned about and it is easy to ask him any question you might have.
UofU Patient
June 10, 2015
I was impressed with the amount of time Dr. Jensen spent with me. it was very reassuring.
UofU Patient
June 02, 2015
Exceptional enter.
UofU Patient
April 26, 2015
Dr. Jensen has been my doctor for many years. I came to Dr. Jensen after losing all confidence in the doctor in Idaho Falls, ID. I am very comfortable and confident in Dr. Jensen. For me that is half the battle.
UofU Patient
March 12, 2015
Dr Jensen is always upfront and honest
UofU Patient
March 10, 2015
I could not be more happy From our Head Mechanic (surgeon) Oncology all of the staff right down to and including the nice person who would come and cleanour room. Thankyou very much
UofU Patient
February 14, 2015
Dr. Jensen is fantastic. I appreciate his down to earth nature and attention to my situation.
UofU Patient
January 24, 2015
dr Jensen is brilliant, empethetiic and communicates medical info and choices in terms I understood
UofU Patient
January 18, 2015
Had a meeting at the same time as my appt..felt a little rushed
UofU Patient
January 11, 2015
Dr Jensen is always so positive and helpful. I actually look forward to seeing him every 2 years.
UofU Patient
January 01, 2015
Dr. Jensen is expert yet humble. Friendly, humorous yet thorough and confident. I appreciate confidence.
UofU Patient
December 26, 2014
I am at ease that Dr. Jensen and his Team have my best interests at heart.
UofU Patient
December 05, 2014
very good experience
UofU Patient
December 02, 2014
Dr. Jensen is so good to work with and wonderful to explain what might be going on at this time in my life. I feel as if his comments are honest and complete with what information he has been given. I so appreciate him and the staff and the help they have provided for me.
UofU Patient
November 14, 2014
The care givers have been incredible! I am planning on bringing up ice cream next week for them to share. Thank you all!!
UofU Patient
November 07, 2014
I've heard rave reviews about Huntsman. They're true!
UofU Patient
November 01, 2014
I wanted Dr. Jensen's opinion on the problem I have been having. I trust his opinion because he gave my husband excellent care, as well as his concern for me and my family.
UofU Patient
October 31, 2014
We were very impressed that the Dr. took the time to call us himself about the results of the team meeting.
UofU Patient
October 14, 2014
Dr. Jensen always has a smile on his face. We think he's great!
UofU Patient
September 10, 2014
Love Dr. Jensen and Melody. They make my visits not so intimidating.
UofU Patient
August 29, 2014
excellent physician
UofU Patient
August 16, 2014
Instead of Very Good everything was excellant.
UofU Patient
July 24, 2014
We understand that there are often "wait" periods....however, we know that when it is our turn the same unrushed time will be given us to be sure we leave the visit with questions answered and assured that someone "is in our corner!"
UofU Patient
July 19, 2014
we learned a lot that we didn't learn elsewhwere. we were very impressed by how knowledgeable the doctors and the physicians assistant were. Yet they took time with us and treated us like we were important. This was a wonderful experience.
UofU Patient
July 15, 2014
As good of an experience as a person can have going through this.
UofU Patient
July 13, 2014
Dr. Jensen is great, he is very attentive to what my concerns are and answers all my questions.
UofU Patient
July 07, 2014
Everything was great, but I feel that more emphasis on the impact of the surgery would have helped.
UofU Patient
June 13, 2014
Dr. Jensen was friendly and down-to-earth in this approach and willing to let me make decisions on my care.
UofU Patient
May 19, 2014
We were/are extremely pleased with our experience. When a family is in such a situation having health care persons who care, who listen, who are helpful is critical, Dr Jensen and his staff provided that comfort to us. Having traveled a distance and not knowing anyone, this eased our minds greatly.
UofU Patient
April 28, 2014
Dr was great. Answered all my questions and I do not need any medications. I left feeling very good about my visit.
UofU Patient
April 05, 2014
I really like Dr.Jensen
UofU Patient
March 21, 2014
I love Dr Jensen and will always see him for my tumor
UofU Patient
March 16, 2014
Dr Jensen is very personable and makes my husband and I feel like I am his only patient!
UofU Patient
February 15, 2014
Dr. Randy Jensen is so wonderful.He is so kind,thoughtful,and patient.I absolutely feel like he saved my life and I truly trust him with my medical care.
UofU Patient
February 14, 2014
Always a good experience with Dr. Jensen
UofU Patient
February 02, 2014
Dr Randy Jensen was excellent as were the other members of team that I dealt with during my visit
UofU Patient
January 25, 2014
We really like Dr Randy Jensen. Besides being very knowledgeable, he is so friendly and caring.
UofU Patient
January 06, 2014
Given the reason we were there our experience could not have been a better one based on the helpfulness of all the caregivers that we dealt with
UofU Patient
January 02, 2014
Loved the doctor (neurosurgeon)
UofU Patient
December 21, 2013
Dr, Jensen seems to remember me even though I come every two years.
UofU Patient
November 08, 2013
We love Dr Jensen. He is very understanding and takes all the time we need to understand. He explains things so we understand them. He is understanding and sensitive to the stress of our situation.
UofU Patient
September 23, 2013
Wonderful and caring treatment and attention to detail. Great confidence booster.
UofU Patient
September 09, 2013
The were great.
UofU Patient
August 12, 2013
He was very personable and friendly.
UofU Patient
August 02, 2013
I actually have referred a friend to dr Jensen and they also loved him!
UofU Patient
July 04, 2013
There were many positive connections that we could use to support confidence.
UofU Patient
June 19, 2013
Dr. Jensen is one of the kindest, most professional, knowledgeable, caring, comforting, and downright pleasant physicians with whom I have ever interacted. He is an excellent physician technically and delightful personally.
UofU Patient
June 10, 2013
Dr. Jensen is a jedi master. Total confidence in him
UofU Patient
June 03, 2013
The doctor was caring and personable.
UofU Patient
June 03, 2013
Love Dr Jensen. So friendly and engaging. Knowledgeable. Caring.
UofU Patient
February 25, 2013
Dr. Randy Jensen is always so kind and caring to me and my situation. I have nothing but wonderful things to write about him and his staff. I feel like he actually saved my life. Because of him and his expertise in the neurological field , he has changed my life and my health. My family and I am so grateful to him for this gift.
UofU Patient
February 18, 2013
I appreciate Dr. Jensen always being so forthright with me.
UofU Patient
December 17, 2012
They all seemed very helpful and concerned.
UofU Patient
December 09, 2012
Dr. Jensen has been very helpful in addressing my concerns about ongoing migraines. His considerate attitude is exceptional.
UofU Patient
October 03, 2012
Doctor Jensen treated our son with kindness and answered all of his questions as well as ours, and we had a lot of them (questions). He has the best bedside manner and such a comforting smile, we feel very fortunate to have him as our son surgeon.
UofU Patient
September 10, 2012
Thank you to all who are involved
UofU Patient
September 03, 2012
Incredible. Dr. Jensen is not only extremely knowledgeable, but friendly and funny - what a wonderful combination:-)
UofU Patient
August 13, 2012
Randy is the best he makes sure I understand what is going on and is very quick to reply to phone calls, emails, and makes me feel like a person not just a client with a specific number
UofU Patient
August 07, 2012
My wife and I love Dr. Jensen. From the start after first learning about my wife's brain tumor we felt the utmost confidence in his abilities and he has been very compassionate and caring throughout the diagnosis, surgery and follow up. In our last visit I wish we could have spent a little more time with him as it was really short and we left kind of feeling like "that's it?" This has been a life altering experience for us and we worry and wonder a lot about the future and would have liked to have had a little more time with him but I understand that he is very busy and I think that the outcome of my wife's surgery has been so good in his eyes that maybe he felt like she was doing so good that there wasn't much else to tell us. Regardless, he is a very good man and we feel fortunate to have had him as our neurosurgeon.
UofU Patient
July 29, 2012
Dr Jensen was very thorough and gave me every option I could choose for treatment without forcing me in any way.
UofU Patient
March 22, 2012
All elements in this group of questions were very good, and these are the most important questions.
UofU Patient
February 10, 2012
They underestimated the time to get the pathology report which kept us on pins and needles for a few extra days, so would have preferred to have it more accurate, but this was a small thing overall
Dr Randy Jensen is a neurosurgeon with a clinical practice focused on treating patients with brain tumors. He has extensive experience utilizing novel surgical methods to maximize tumor removal and minimize surgical complications. He is an expert on the use of preoperative planning and imaging to remove tumors from eloquent areas of the brain. He routinely performs awake craniotomy with intraoperative cortical mapping to avoid motor or speech injury during removal of tumors near these areas of the brain. He has instituted an intraoperative MRI program, the only one available in the Intermountain West. He also co-directs the Stereotactic Radiosurgery program which utilizes the Brain Lab Novalis Frameless Shaped Beam System for precise delivery of radiation for treatment of benign and malignant brain tumors. He and Dr Dennis Shrieve have treated over 1000 patients using these techniques.
Dr Jensen is Professor of Neurosurgery, Radiation Oncology and Oncological Sciences. He is a member of both the Experimental Therapeutics and the Nuclear Control of Cell Growth and Differentiation programs. He has served at a national level for various Neurosurgical Societies and was recently President of the Rocky Mountain Neurosurgery Society. He is the Associate Program Director for the Neurosurgery Residency program and Clerkship Director for medical students rotating on the Neurosurgery Service.
He is a Cancer Research Investigator at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and has a laboratory focused on animal models of meningioma and radiation necrosis. His laboratory studies brain tumor hypoxia and angiogenesis. He is the author of over 100 papers most on topics of brain tumor biology and patient outcome after brain tumor treatment.
He has been the principal investigator of many brain tumor clinical trials and continues to offer cutting edge treatments for patients with brain tumors.
Academic Locations
School of Medicine
801-581-6908
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Neurosurgery
-
Professor Oncological Sciences - Adjunct Professor Radiation Oncology - Adjunct Professor |
| Academic Divisions | Adult Neurosurgery |
| Board Certification | American Board of Neurological Surgery (Neurosurg) American Board of Neurological Surgery (Neurosurg) |
| Cancer Center Programs | Experimental Therapeutics |
Research Interests
- Gliasite
- Stereotactic radiosurgery versus surgery for single brain metastasis
- Cox-2
- Phase II 131-I
- Hypoxia, Brain
- Diphtheria toxin-conjugated monoclonal antibody
- Calcium Channel Antagonists
- IL-13 receptors
- Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1
Education History
| Doctoral Training | Loyola University Medical Center Ph.D. |
| Residency | Loyola University of Chicago Neurosurgery Resident |
| Professional Medical | University of Utah Hospital School of Medicine Medicine M.D. |
| Undergraduate | University of Utah Biology B.S. |
| Undergraduate | University of Utah Chemistry B.A. |
| Graduate Training | University of Illinois, Chicago MHPE |
| Graduate Training | University of Illinois Neurosurgery MHPE |
Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Karsy M, Hoang N, Barth T, Burt L, Dunson W, Gillespie DL, Jensen RL (2016). Combined Hydroxyurea and Verapamil in the Clinical Treatment of Refractory Meningioma: Human and Orthotopic Xenograft Studies. World Neurosurg, 86, 210-9.
- Karsy M, Guan J, Jensen RL, Huang LW, Colman H (2016). The impact of hypoxia and mesenchymal transistion on glioblastoma patholgenesis and cancer stem cell regulation. World Neurosurg, 88, 222-236.
- Lloyd IE, Clement PW, Salzman KL, Jensen RL, Salama ME, Palmer CA (2015). An unusual and challenging case of HIV-associated primary CNS Lymphoma with Hodgkin-like morphology and HIV encephalitis. Diagnostic Pathology, 10(1), 152.
- Jensen RL (2015). Predicting Outcomes After Glioma Surgery: Model Behavior. World Neurosurg, 84(4), 894-6.
- Karsy M, Sivakumar W, Neil J, Guan J, Moy F, Jensen RL (2015). Meta-analysis of the effect of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 mutation on glioblastoma prognosis. Contemp Neurosurg, 37(5), 1-6.
- Schuster J, Lai RK, Recht LD, Reardon Da, Paleologos N, Grove M, Mrugala M, Jensen RL, Baehring J, Sloan A, Davis T, Archer G, Cruickshank S, Greem K, Heimberger A, Sampson J (2015). A phase II, multicenter trial of rindopepimut (CDX-110) in newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol.
- Chen R, Ravindra VM, Cohen AL, Jensen RL, Salzman KL, Prescot AP, Colman H (2015). Molecular features assisting in diagnosis, surgery, and treatment decision making in low-grade gliomas. Neurosurg Focus, 38(3), E2.
- Karsy M, Neil JA, Guan J, Mark MA, Colman H, Jensen RL (2015). A practical review of prognostic correlations of molecular biomarkers in glioblastoma. Neurosurg Focus, 38(3), E4.
- Ly D, Bagshaw HP, Anker CJ, Tward JD, Grossmann KF, Jensen RL, Shrieve DC (2015). Local control after stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases in patients with melanoma with and without BRAF mutation and treatment. J Neurosurg, 123(2), 395-401.
- Mazur MD, Neil JA, Agarwal C, Jensen RL, Couldwell WT (2015). Surgical management of a transosseous meningioma with invasion of torcula, superior sagittal sinus, transverse sinus, calvaria, and scalp. Surg Neurol Int, 6, 40.
- Ravindra VM, Braca JA 3rd, Jensen RL, Duckworth EA (2015). Management of intracranial pathology during pregnancy: Case example and review of management strategies. Surg Neurol Int, 6, 43.
- Choi H, Gillespie DL, Berg S, Rice C, Couldwell S, Gu J, Colman H, Jensen RL, Huang LE (2015). Intermittent induction of HIF-1alpha produces lasting effects on malignant progression independent of its continued expression. PLoS One, 10(4), e0125125.
- de Souza PC, Balasubramanian K, Njoku C, Smith N, Gillespie DL, Schwager A, Abdullah O, Ritchey JW, Fung KM, Saunders D, Jensen RL, Towner RA (2015). OKN-007 decreases tumor necrosis and tumor cell proliferation and increases apoptosis in a preclinical F98 rat glioma model. J Magn Reson Imaging, 42(6), 1582-91.
- Gillespie DL, Arce-Larreta MT, Ravichandran S, Leishman LL, Berrondo C, Gamboa J, Wang L, Wang X, Lu Z-R, Jensen RL (2015). RNA interference targeting HIF-1a via a novel multifunctional surfactant attenuates glioma growth in an intracranial mouse model. J Neurosurg, 122(2), 331-341.
- Kent T, Jensen RL (2014). Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neurosurgery: Part II -- Brain Shift, Perioperative Complications, and Costs. Contemp Neurosurg, 36(23).
- Kent T, Jensen RL (2014). Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neurosurgery: Part 1 -- A Review of History, Use, and Outcomes. Contemp Neurosurg, 36(23).
- Jensen RL (2014). Educating our residents for the alphabet soup of PQRS and HCAHPS. AANS Neurosurgeon, 23(4).
- Wagner AE, Chen A, Jensen RL, Shrieve DC (2014). Stereotactic radiosurgery for solitary brain metastases: Factors impacting control. J Radiosurg SBRT, 3(2), 111-121.
- Ghia A, Jensen RL, Sherieve A, Hu N, Li X, Shrieve D (2014). Radiosurgery for melanoma brain metastases: the impact of hemorrhage on local control. Journal of Radiosurgery, (3), 43-50.
- Terakedis BE, Jensen RL, Shrieve DC (2014). Tumor Control and incidence of radiation necrosis after reirradiation with stereotactic radiosurgery for bran metastases. Journal of Radiosurgery, (3), 21-28.
- Womeldorff M, Gillespie D, Jensen RL (2014). Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and associated upstream and downstream proteins in the pathophysiology and management of glioblastoma. Neurosurg Focus, 37(6), E8.
- Jensen RL, Mumert ML, Gillespie DL, Kinney AY, Schabel MC, Salzman KL (2014). Preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI correlates with molecular markers of hypoxia and vascularity in specific areas of intratumoral microenvironment and is predictive of patient outcome. Neuro Oncol, 16(2), 280-91.
Review
Edited Book
- Zada G, Jensen RL (Eds.) (April 2016). Neurosurgery Clinics of North America.
- G Zada, RL Jensen (Eds.) (2015). Neurosurgery Clinics of North America.
Book Chapter
- Jensen RL (In Press). Commentary on Patchell et al. In Bendok B, Ghogawala Z, El Tecle N, Ragel B, Asthagiri A, Resnick D (Eds.), CNS Essential Papers in Neurosurgery. CNS.
- Abou Al-Shaar H, Jensen RL, Couldwell WT (In Press). Primary central nervous system lymphoma. In Nader R, Sabbagh A (Eds.), Neurosurgery Case Review. New York: Thieme.
- Weaver BD, Jensen RL (In Press). Hemangiopericytoma. In Lonser R, Elder B (Eds.), Cases in Surgical Neuro-oncology. New York: Oxford University Press.
Editorial
- Zada G, Jensen RL (2016). Meningiomas: An Update on Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches. Neurosurg Clin N Am, 27(2), xiii.
- Jensen RL (2014). Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation: another tool for preoperative planning for patients with motor-eloquent brain tumors. Neuro Oncol, 16(10), 1299-300.