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Anne Hansen
Medical Director, NICU, Boston Children's Hospital, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
Professional Background
Anne Hansen is an accomplished medical professional serving as the Medical Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Boston Children's Hospital. With a distinguished career in pediatrics, she holds the title of Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Hansen is known for her extensive research focusing on improving the care of newborns with severe medical and surgical conditions. She is deeply committed to advancing medical practices through innovative medical device development and contributing to global health initiatives, providing essential support and guidance in neonatal care both locally and globally.
Throughout her career, Dr. Hansen has been credited with numerous original research papers, chapters, and books, showcasing her expertise and thought leadership in neonatology. Notably, she co-edited "The Manual of Neonatal Care" and "The Manual of Neonatal Surgical Intensive Care," both of which are pivotal resources in the field. Recognition of her exceptional teaching abilities is evident in the multiple teaching awards she has received, including the prestigious Merton Bernfield Award for Fellowship Teaching and the Best Tutor of the Year award from Harvard Medical School. These accolades highlight her dedication to education and mentorship in pediatrics.
Education and Achievements
Dr. Hansen’s educational background is distinguished and uniquely tailored to her field of expertise. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Haverford College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. This foundation in the social sciences provides her with a holistic understanding of the societal factors influencing healthcare. Following her undergraduate studies, Dr. Hansen attended Harvard Medical School, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree with a focus on pediatrics. She also holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Clinical Effectiveness from the same prestigious institution. This combination of education has equipped her with a strong knowledge base and the necessary skills to tackle complex medical challenges faced by newborns.
In her role at Boston Children's Hospital, Dr. Hansen has contributed significantly to neonatal medicine. She has been a pioneer in establishing national standards for newborn care in Rwanda. In collaboration with the Rwanda Ministry of Health (MOH) and Partners In Health (PIH), she has led efforts to develop and implement healthcare protocols that contribute to improving neonatal outcomes in the region. Dr. Hansen has actively participated in writing the second edition of the neonatal care guidelines and has conducted national training programs for nurses and doctors from all Rwandan provincial hospitals. Her work emphasizes a community health approach and highlights the importance of training local healthcare providers to ensure sustainability and effectiveness in patient care.
Notable Achievements
Dr. Hansen's dedication and innovations in neonatal care have not gone unnoticed. Her ongoing collaboration with OPENPediatrics, a free online medical education platform based at Boston Children's Hospital, showcases her commitment to global access to pediatric education. By making Rwandan neonatal protocols available as educational videos, she aims to enhance the training of pediatricians around the world, facilitating knowledge transfer and improved healthcare practices.
Furthermore, Dr. Hansen is at the forefront of medical device innovation through her collaboration with the Rwanda MOH and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Institute for Globally Transformative Technologies. Together, they have developed a simple, cost-effective, re-usable, nonelectric infant warmer that has shown successful testing in Rwanda. The aim is to scale this vital medical device nationwide in Rwanda and expand its use globally, demonstrating Dr. Hansen’s commitment not only to medical advancements but also to equitable healthcare solutions for newborns in resource-limited settings.
Dr. Hansen's work exemplifies the spirit of innovation, education, and compassionate care within the realm of pediatrics, marking her as a leader in neonatal health. Through her efforts, she continues to shape the future of neonatal care, making a significant impact on the lives of newborns and families, both in Rwanda and beyond.