30 years
by Eileen O'Rourke, RN, OCN

I worked with Dr. Hansen for nearly 30 years;  28 of those as his nurse. I was thinking back over 30 years of memories with Dr. Hansen, and one word kept coming back to me:  passionate. He was passionate about patient care and would accept nothing but the highest level of care. He was passionate about his family, his co-workers, fishing, gourmet cooking, and always, the best wines. When he was in the clinic, you knew it. His presence was always felt. His patients knew they were in the most capable of hands. Those hands healed, shook family members’ hands, gently held his patients when they cried, and hugged them and laughed with them at happy stories. He gave the best hugs.

He was an incredibly brilliant physician;  a leader in his field. Through the years, he became not only his patients’ doctor but their friends; sharing his fishing adventures and family stories. I am so proud to have worked for him all these years. He was an incredible teacher who enjoyed taking time to enlighten all of us with his expertise. I remember looking through the microscope with him, years ago, as he taught me about the different cells I was seeing and the different diseases.  Such an education!

Over the years, we had so many great times- much laughter and many shared experiences. I feel we have all lost an excellent physician and co-worker;  and I have lost one of my closest friends.  It's a hard time for al of us.

Return to previous page