As a nurse, Debbie Hanna has seen the birth of a new life and has held the hand of one who is ending life.
“There are not many professions that allow the privileges of those experiences. I have worked in the Porter health care system for over 30 years and have loved every minute of it,” she said.
“Nursing has been my chosen profession since I was very small. My mother worked in health care and planted the seed of desire to help those who are ill,” Hanna said.
A nursing graduate of Purdue University, Hanna earned a master’s in Healthcare Administration and Business Administration from the University of St. Francis.
She worked for 20 years with Valparaiso cardiologist Dr. Hector Marchand and currently holds the position of vice president of Clinical Services at the Visiting Nurses Association of Porter County.
The nonprofit organization offers home health care, companion homemakers, lifeline and highly skilled home care nurses, as well as a hospice center and hospice home program.
“I am so proud to be associated with this wonderful, dedicated and giving organization. Our hospice program gives the patients and their families support and comfort care as they complete the last part of the journey at the end of life,” she said.
“And our Phoenix Center is a service that we provide to the children of our area. It is a place where children can come and receive expert counseling in order to promote healing after a loss of a loved one.”
“I want to work with people who want to make a difference in the lives of others. My faith has always been my guiding light when taking positions throughout my career,” she added.
A resident of Valparaiso, Hanna is a mother of three and a grandmother to eight.
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