Dr. Jorgensen received his B.A. and M.S. degrees from the University of North Texas. He earned his Ph.D. from UTMB in 1973. He was a McLaughlin pre-doctoral fellow during his last two years at UTMB. His entire career has been at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where he started as an instructor in 1973 and advanced to his current roles. He is a professor in the Departments of Pathology, Medicine, Microbiology and Clinical Laboratory Sciences and director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratories, University Hospital.

       He has more than 198 peer-reviewed publications and many chapters in microbiology textbooks. He is the editor of the 8th and 9th editions of the Manual of Clinical Microbiology. Recognized as an international authority on antimicrobial resistance and susceptibility testing of bacteria, he has traveled the world giving hundreds of invited talks on these topics.

     Dr. Jorgensen has served in leadership positions of chairholder and vice-chairholder for the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The CLSI is responsible for providing standards and guidelines for all testing that is performed in clinical laboratories. Dr. Jorgensen was instrumental in standardizing susceptibility testing of bacteria and developed the medium currently used for susceptibility testing of Haemophilus influenzae. In addition, he is a member of the Becton Dickinson World Wide Microbiology Advisory Board and the steering committee for the active bacterial core surveillance of the emerging infectious diseases program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His laboratory serves as the central testing laboratory in North America for antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

 Dr. Jorgensen encouraged the new graduates to,“determine what you really like and find rewarding, and find a way to make use of that aptitude and talent in deciding your future direction.  Pursue your true interests, not what you think others might expect of you.  Discover your strengths and talents and build on them, rather than focusing on trying to correct whatever shortcomings you may think that you have.  Find what you really like and are good at, and steer your career in that direction, whether it be in academics, government service, private industry, or perhaps seeking another professional degree or further training.” 

     “You have many choices and opportunities to discover during the rest of your professional life.  Focus your efforts on the work that you enjoy and feel is important and you will find success.  I congratulate you on your accomplishments, and wish you great success in your future activities.”