Paul M. Hansen is a visionary healthcare executive whose career exemplifies a powerful synthesis of clinical excellence, operational strategy, and compassionate leadership. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of patient care and organizational advancement, Paul has consistently shaped transformative outcomes for health systems and care delivery networks. His enduring belief in patient-first leadership and strategic foresight has fueled a remarkable career dedicated to improving lives and elevating standards in modern healthcare.
Beginning his career as a Registered Nurse, Paul developed a profound understanding of patient needs and frontline care challenges. This clinical foundation, built across critical care units, outpatient services, and specialty labs, grounded his leadership approach in empathy and precision. Early roles in interventional cardiology and electrophysiology exposed Paul to high-stakes environments that demanded not only technical expertise but also poise, coordination, and decisive leadership. These formative years were instrumental in shaping his capacity to lead under pressure and foster high-performing, resilient teams.
Paul’s transition into leadership was as organic as it was impactful. At Regions Hospital, he assumed responsibility for managing interventional cardiology and outpatient care units, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, multidisciplinary teams, and regulatory performance. He orchestrated groundbreaking initiatives such as Minnesota’s first Level 1 cardiac program and implemented pre-hospital STEMI activation protocols that reduced door-to-balloon times to record lows. These achievements were not just operational victories—they were lifesaving improvements driven by Paul’s unwavering commitment to patient outcomes.
As his career progressed, Paul took on increasingly strategic roles that emphasized business planning, service line development, and cross-system integration. At Regions Hospital and later at Lakeview Health, he guided growth strategies across cardiology, trauma, and specialty care, introducing efficiencies and innovations that elevated both patient satisfaction and organizational agility. His tenure at Lakeview was marked by the modernization of clinical operations, where he led a paper-to-EHR transformation and expanded key services including urology, oncology, and cardiology. Paul’s ability to merge technical transformation with cultural adaptation underscores his capacity to lead change in complex healthcare ecosystems.
Currently serving as Systems Director at TRIA Orthopedics, a division of HealthPartners, Paul leads the operations of 12 orthopedic clinic locations and manages a P&L exceeding $89 million. His strategic leadership has resulted in the expansion of the clinician base, establishment of multiple new facilities, and sustained improvements in patient satisfaction, which reached 90.9% in 2022. He also played a central role in conceptualizing and launching the $49.5M TRIA Woodbury facility, realizing $3M in savings through prudent planning and execution. Under his leadership, TRIA has not only grown but has become a benchmark for operational excellence and integrated care delivery.
Paul’s impact extends beyond financial results and operational milestones. He is a leader deeply invested in cultivating talent, building cultures of performance and trust, and aligning diverse teams toward shared goals. Over a span of four consecutive years, he retained 100% of his leadership team—an extraordinary feat in the healthcare sector that speaks volumes about his integrity, mentorship, and ability to inspire. Whether aligning clinical teams, engaging stakeholders, or navigating change, Paul leads with intention and empathy.
His leadership ethos is defined by a keen ability to see the big picture while never losing sight of individual experiences. Paul is a master at stakeholder engagement, fostering trust among providers, executives, and community partners. He’s guided by the belief that quality care starts with quality communication—whether in the boardroom, the clinic, or the patient’s bedside. His role on the TRIA Sports Medicine Executive Committee illustrates his influence in guiding strategic visions that span across clinical and administrative domains.
Beyond operations, Paul’s insight into capital planning, regulatory compliance, and financial stewardship positions him as a strategic force in any organization. He has authored numerous business cases and operational roadmaps that have guided multimillion-dollar investments. He has also been a driving force behind innovative models such as the NorthStar orthopedic trauma network—developed in partnership with physician leaders—to ensure high-quality care across metro hospitals and children’s facilities.
Paul’s influence is not limited to his employer or region. As a former board member at North Metro Pediatrics and an active participant in executive networks, he remains committed to governance and thought leadership. While he has not yet served on an international platform, his global mindset and openness to global healthcare challenges position him for meaningful international contributions in the future. He is equally comfortable in clinical conversations and boardroom strategy sessions—a rare combination that enables him to bridge gaps between operational execution and visionary leadership.
With an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a BSN from North Dakota State University, Paul’s educational journey complements his career with a balanced perspective of clinical proficiency and executive acumen. He holds a current Registered Nurse license in Minnesota and maintains a deep connection to the roots of patient care. His passion for innovation, service, and excellence continues to drive his journey forward, with a firm eye on contributing to boards and leadership teams that share his vision for healthcare advancement.
Character:
Paul embodies a principled leadership style rooted in integrity, accountability, and compassion. He is known for his unwavering commitment to team development and delivering on promises with authenticity and grace.
Knowledge:
With over 24 years of diverse healthcare experience, Paul brings unparalleled insights into both clinical and administrative landscapes. His depth of understanding spans from frontline care to high-level capital planning and strategic operations.
Strategic:
Paul has led major expansions, authored multimillion-dollar business plans, and implemented systems that transformed both patient outcomes and organizational margins. He consistently anticipates industry shifts and positions teams to meet challenges with agility and confidence.
Communication:
Paul excels in stakeholder dialogue, cross-functional collaboration, and team alignment. His communication style is direct, empathetic, and always centered around shared purpose and clarity of vision.
