Doctor's legacy lives on in lives he touched
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Singing in the choir at the open house for the Hansen Oncology Center was a thrill for Fawn Williamson, who explained that it felt as if her life had come full circle.

Williamson explained that Dr. J. Michael Hansen, the doctor the center was named in memory of, was the doctor on duty the day she was rushed to the emergency room of the Margaret Mary Community Hospital over 20 years ago.

The J. Michael Hansen, M.D., Oncology Center and Margaret Mary Community Hospital Outpatient Services located at 24 Six Pine Ranch Road, Batesville, officially opened its door earlier this month, offering hope to a community and beyond.

At the dedication and open house, Dr. Hansen's widow, Janet, spoke about her husband, who lost his battle to cancer. She referred to an article that was printed in the Reader's Digest, about a young girl whose life the doctor was instrumental in saving.

"She's talking about me," Williamson thought, as Mrs. Hansen began telling the horrific story of a 12-year-old girl who had her arm ripped off at the shoulder in a farm accident in December of 1981.

Williamson, who is employed in the business office at Margaret Mary Community Hospital, was overwhelmed that Mrs. Hansen would share the story and says she feels Dr. Hansen not only saved her life that day, but continued to be a stalwart support system for her as she endured over 30 surgeries.

Today, she uses her arm, the same one that was completely severed from her body, and is able to work a full time job that she thoroughly enjoys. "I always wanted to come to work at the hospital (MMCH) she noted in an interview with The Versailles Republican. I just kept thinking that night as I was singing in the choir that my life had come full circle, and Dr. Hansen was definitely in the middle of that circle."

The accident that changed her life

"It all began like any ordinary day," Williamson began, remembering the day like it was yesterday. "I was home because of a snow day from school. I was helping my dad haul firewood from the woods, well, I admit I was mostly horsing around, but I was with him," she noted. Being with her dad was important to Fawn, who is close with both her parents, Frank and Betty Stephens of Sunman.

Williamson remembers sitting on the tractor and sliding down to help her father when she lost her balance and fell toward the rear of the tractor. She then struck the power take off, which caught the sleeve of her snowsuit. In an instant, her arm was twisted off, along with her snowsuit and boots.

The then 12-year-old remembers lying in the snow and really not feeling any pain. Later she found out that her left arm had been wrenched off at the shoulder.

Her father reacted to her cry of "Dad" and responded immediately to turn off the ignition. He then grabbed his daughter and rushed to the house where he tried to call the Life Squad. He then grabbed his daughter, ran out to his pickup and tore out the driveway to the hospital, which was approximately nine miles from their farm in Sunman.

The journey to the hospital was not an easy one. Making a sharp turn on the road, Mr. Stephens hit a slick spot causing it to strike a culvert, which in turn blew the right front tire. He drove the truck anyway to a service-diner about a mile down the road. Williamson remembers her father's distress, but says she remained calm throughout the ordeal. Someone at the diner took the two on to the hospital.

Two others who were in the diner that day played a part in reuniting a little girl with the arm that had been ripped from her. According to information printed in the Reader's Digest article, Julie Roberts, a registered nurse and Ron Vogelsang, a mechanic, made the journey to the Stephens' farm to look for the missing arm. They found the arm close to the accident scene and were soon on their way to the hospital.

What happened next

Williamson explains further. "The day of the accident, Dr. Hansen was the first person I remember seeing at the hospital. He came up on my left side and said in his soothing voice, 'What's your name sweetheart?'"

I remember having a calm conversation with the doctor and asking that someone call my mother," noted Williamson, who added that she felt completely at ease in the care of Dr. Hansen.

Williamson was transferred to Children's Hospital in Cincinnati by ambulance with Dr. Hansen at her side. "I remember him talking to me and telling jokes," she recalled recently. "He was great." She did lose consciousness just before getting to the city hospital, but never forgot the loving care she received on the ride there.

The Stephens' family received hundreds of well wishes and people who offered and helped them in their time of need.

"Dr. Hansen was right there through all the tough times for me," said Williamson. She noted that while

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Fawn Williamson stands beside the beautiful oil portrait of Dr. J . Michael Hansen that was unveiled at the open house of the new oncology center near Batesville. The portrait hangs in the front entry of the new facility that is named in his honor.