LeeAnn R. Hansen, APRN

For nurse practitioner LeeAnn Hansen, DNP, APRN-NP, specializing in cardiology was an easy decision.

"I believe cardiology chose me," said Hansen, who sees patients at Methodist Physicians Clinic. "During nursing school, I worked on the cardiac floor at Methodist Hospital as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and absolutely fell in love with this patient population. After nursing school, I continued to work with cardiology patients as a registered nurse and knew that I wanted to continue working with them as a nurse practitioner."

Hansen's desire to see her patients thrive also stems from personal experience.

"My love for cardiology became a little more personal in 2013 when I underwent open-heart surgery for a congenital heart defect," she said. "That experience gave me an appreciation for the impact that a health care team – CNAs, nurses, doctors, advanced practice providers, surgeons, respiratory therapists, etc. ñ can have on a patient."

Hansen strives to build relationships with her patients that are built on communication, trust and individualized care. Seeing each patient as a person first, then working to address their health needs is what The Meaning of Care is all about, she said.

"I love the day-to-day interactions," she said. "It's not lost on me the honor it is to meet patients on what may be their worst days and be able to provide care, support and compassion. It's so rewarding when you see the progress they make in their health journeys."

When she's not caring for patients, Hansen enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. She's also an avid coffee and espresso drinker, and she loves trying out new coffee shops.

Why I Came, Why I Stayed: At Each of Her Stops Across Methodist, LeeAnn Hansen Has Been Empowered to Provide Meaningful Care