In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a Vietnam veteran met a tragic end at the hands of the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital system. This incident has raised grave concerns and left a grieving widow questioning the integrity of the system that was meant to care for our heroes.
On January 10, 2024, the world was shocked to learn of the passing of Michael Hansen, a 67-year-old veteran hailing from Nebraska. His demise was attributed to late-stage lung cancer, a diagnosis that came far too late. What makes this tragedy even more disturbing is the series of missed opportunities for early detection and intervention that could have saved his life. Michael’s widow, Lisa Hansen, holds the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center accountable for this devastating failure.
The chain of events that led to this tragedy began in July 2019 when a radiologist at the VA center identified a growth in Michael Hansen’s lung, raising suspicions of malignancy. However, instead of taking immediate and necessary actions, crucial follow-ups were neglected. It’s important to note that such post-surgery scans are standard procedures for veterans like Michael, who selflessly served during the Vietnam War, often putting their lives on the line.
Shockingly, over a year passed before Michael Hansen returned to the VA hospital, this time struggling to breathe. The subsequent examinations painted a grim picture – the tumor that was initially the size of a postage stamp had now grown nearly fourfold, with the emergence of another malignant mass. The hospital’s Chief of Medicine, Gary Gorby, and Risk Manager, Laura Whale, candidly admitted their mistake, but it was too little, too late.
During the period between the initial identification and Michael Hansen’s return visit, his cancer had progressed from a stage IA2 diagnosis, which typically carries an 83% five-year survival rate according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer, to a stage IV diagnosis. This latter stage, as many are tragically aware, often leads to death within a year.
The ramifications of this negligence have been devastating for the Hansen family. Lisa Hansen, now a widow, has been left with an indescribable pain and anguish. She aptly describes the situation as a “gut punch” that has shattered their lives, stating, “It’s hard to live with… They destroyed our life.”
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the Omaha VA did have a system in place to manage concerning lung scans, but it failed due to a shocking lack of oversight. VA leaders made this shocking admission during depositions reviewed by Nebraska Public Media. This systemic failure allowed Michael Hansen’s condition to deteriorate unchecked.
Tragically, Michael Hansen breathed his last on December 30, 2021. In an attempt to seek justice and accountability, Lisa Hansen courageously filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government. Astonishingly, the lawsuit was resolved in December 2021, just a day before it was scheduled for trial, leaving many unanswered questions lingering.
However, Lisa Hansen’s quest for justice and transparency is far from over. She remains deeply concerned about how many other cases of missed cancer diagnoses may be lurking within the Omaha VA. Her determination to uncover the truth persists, particularly in light of the resignation of a nurse responsible for overseeing such matters.
It is essential to acknowledge the alarming fact that lung cancer, despite being largely preventable, remains the leading cause of cancer-related death among veterans, as reported by the University of California Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. This glaring issue underscores the pressing need for improved healthcare practices and unwavering vigilance within the VA system. Our veterans deserve nothing less than timely and accurate medical care to prevent the recurrence of such heart-wrenching tragedies in the future.
As we reflect on this deeply distressing incident, let us remember the sacrifice of our veterans and their families. The least we can do is ensure that they receive the quality healthcare they rightly deserve, free from negligence and shortcomings. Only through such commitment can we honor the memory of individuals like Michael Hansen and prevent similar heartaches from befalling other heroic veterans in the future.
