eOncology Report

Surgical Oncology will take a multidisciplinary approach

Paul D. Hansen, M.D., F.A.C.S., has been named director of Surgical Oncology for Providence Cancer Center. The directorship is a new position within Providence, and aims to promote leadership and growth in quality and standardization of surgical practices in oncology.

Through strategic outreach efforts, Dr. Hansen will establish surgical oncology multidisciplinary teams throughout Providence’s regional and statewide cancer program.

A practicing physician with The Oregon Clinic’s gastrointestinal and minimally invasive surgery division, and medical director of Providence Liver Cancer Clinic, Dr. Hansen is a board-certified surgeon with an emphasis on minimally invasive surgery techniques. He is a forerunner in the use of robotic surgery.

In 2009 he performed the Pacific Northwest’s first fully robotic Whipple procedure, a complicated surgery involving the pancreas, duodenum and bile ducts. At the time this procedure had been done only in four other centers in the United States.

Dr. Hansen received his undergraduate degree at the University of Washington in Seattle and earned his medical degree with honors from the University of Washington School of Medicine. He completed his residency in general surgery at University of California, San Francisco.

Dr. Hansen is widely published, has presented nationally and internationally, and has been course instructor for The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). In 2010, Dr. Hansen received an award from SAGES for excellence in clinical care. The award recognizes surgical skills, patient care, contributions to the community and volunteerism.

“Dr. Hansen is a talented surgeon with demonstrated leadership of the hepatobiliary program at Providence,” said Walter Urba, M.D., Ph.D., medical director, Providence Cancer Center. “We are delighted to have him in this position.”