By Martin J. Kidston
Born and raised on the Hi-Line, Karrie Hanson has returned to Montana with a medical degree to begin her family practice with Northern Montana Medical Group in Havre.
Hanson, a 1983 graduate of K-G High School, earned her bachelors degree in biomedical sciences from MSU-Bozeman and her doctorate in medicine from Oregon Health Sciences in Portland. With her medical degree in hand, Hanson completed her residency at Med Center One in Bismark through the University of North Dakota Family Practice Residency Program.
Now that shes back in Havre, Hanson said shes looking forward to filling a special niche in the community.
I have a strong female-based practice, Hanson said. I like that population very much, and I hope to give young women an alternative when it comes to the more embarrassing things.
Hanson, at 34, is younger than most area doctors, and aside from her female oriented practice, she said she enjoys delivering babies and the early prevention found in family practice.
I picked family practice because prevention is important, she said. I also like delivering babies, and I like kids.
Hanson, the mother of twin girls, is happy to be back in Havre. She said her parents moved to the area from California when she was three. Her father practiced medicine in Havre, and was supportive of Hansons choice in careers.
He said I could be anything that is, any kind of doctor, she joked. He is retiring this year, so we wont be in practice together.
Hanson has begun to schedule appointments and will start seeing patients in early September. She is looking forward to building her practice.
If you do your best and are nice to people, I think it will be fine and people will come, Hanson said. Havre is a great town, and I hope I can fill that niche for the area.
