Erik N. Hansen, MD, is a pediatric general and thoracic surgeon at Phoenix Children's. Dr. Hansen performs both open and minimally invasive surgery to treat congenital and acquired abdominal and thoracic conditions, including solid organ cancers and lung, liver, pancreas, spleen, and intestinal conditions.

Dr. Hansen enjoys working at Phoenix Children's because of the exemplary leadership and camaraderie in the General Surgery Department.

After completing his undergraduate degree at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, Dr. Hansen earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He completed his surgical residency training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville where he served as administrative chief resident. He finished his pediatric surgical residency at The Children's Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham.

Dr. Hansen is board certified in general surgery and pediatric surgery by the American Board of Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa. In 2022, Dr. Hansen received the American Pediatric Surgery Humanitarian Award from the American Pediatric Surgical Association for his work in Kenya, East Africa, where he trained pediatric surgeons from across sub-Saharan Africa for nine years.

Influenced to pursue a career in medicine by his father, who was also a general surgeon, Dr. Hansen believes it is a privilege to care for children and their families. He hopes to play a role in expanding care for children in need of high-quality healthcare in the United States as well as areas where pediatric surgical care is rare or nonexistent throughout parts of Africa. Dr. Hansen cherishes kids and enjoys the opportunity to care for children - from the tiniest of premature babies to teenagers nearing adulthood. He continues to invest his time in supporting the training of pediatric surgeons in sub-Saharan Africa.

When not working, Dr. Hansen enjoys spending time with his family and skydiving.