When Dan Danaher graduated from PA school in 1975, the Lincoln Department of Corrections was one of the few places hiring. He figured he’d stay on “until I found a real job.” But it wasn’t too long before he realized he already had one. And then some.
And he’s been there ever since.
As a physician assistant working in a prison, Danaher is a professional who does missionary work on a daily basis, serving the underserved. The people he works with don’t have resources – some don’t even have families.
“I have the opportunity to be a positive face in a negative environment,” Danaher said. “I’ve really enjoyed the self-satisfaction that comes with that kind of work, and the great medicine you see.”
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Dan Danaher |
And working in corrections has afforded him the opportunity to remain in the military, as a member of the Nebraska Army National Guard. In the Guard he’s become one of the first physician assistants to make colonel. He’s the first Nebraska PA to make State Surgeon.
He’s deployed to Afghanistan, Central America, and to Korea, where, “We back-filled a CSH hospital (combat support hospital) while active-duty troops did training,” he said.
After 9/11, he was in Egypt.
“It was pretty intense,” Danaher said. “We had a mission, we were doing medevac. I went there not only as a flight surgeon but as a flight medic. I would man one of the aeromedical helicopters.”
It’s exciting. And rewarding. He’s relished the military life. But when it’s time to get back to his day job, he’s happy to come back.
“I enjoy the quality of life it gives my family,” he said.
“I enjoy what I do,” Danaher said. “Every morning when I wake up I don’t look in the mirror and dread going to work. There are some great people I’ve worked with over the years and there seems to always be great people coming on. I do enjoy the inmates and have enjoyed having them as patients. Sometimes we have our differences but overall it’s been a great experience.”
Some of the inmates, he’s known for 30 years.
They know they can count on him, and talk to him. He’s a professional, and he cares.
He has steady work with people he likes, minimal call and the satisfaction that comes with the work he does here and abroad.
“It has to all be in perspective and I’ve been able to find a good balance here,” Danaher said. “It’s been a good ride.”