Make Me A Thriver

Make Me A Thriver

Dr. Steven Haugen Finds the Key to Thriving in Retirement

By LISA COWNIE

For 40 years, Dr. Steven Haugen has gone into each day knowing that as a radiologist, he would be helping people. When he decided it was time to retire from Mankato Clinic in June of 2023, he worried a bit about losing that sense of serving others.

“To be honest, I had mixed feelings about retirement,” he explains. “As a radiologist I have been able to help people with their health and I wanted to ensure that I would be doing something meaningful with my life once my professional life ends. I am happy to say, I have found that meaningful place.”

When a colleague suggested Dr. Haugen check out volunteer opportunities at the nonprofit, Mankato Youth Place, or MY Place as it is commonly known, he gave it a try and found it to be a good fit. The mission of MY Place is to provide a nurturing environment that empowers youth to build the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to reach their full potential. MY Place removes financial barriers for families by giving children a safe and fun place to go after school and during the summer at no cost.

Now almost a year later, he says his work there has been more rewarding than he could have ever imagined.

“I read to the kids Wednesdays from 3pm to 4:30pm,” explains Dr. Haugen. “I walk in and say ‘who wants to read today’ and then there is a riot because everyone wants to read!” he chuckles. “It is awesome. Sometimes I read to them and sometimes they read to me!”

Dr. Haugen says he quickly realized his time at MY Place is about more than the words in the books.

“As I get to know the kids there, I understand it is about much more than the reading. Over the last eight months of volunteering, my feelings about it have changed. I thought I was just part of the entertainment but as I get to know them and get more attached, I realize I am a mentor. My presence shows them that someone cares about them. So, my idea of my role there has changed, it is more important than I initially thought it was,” he says.

“I was reading a few weeks ago to one little girl and it was a book about super powers. I asked her if she could have a super power, what would it be? and she replied ‘I would make people love me.’ That was impactful to me. Now I know that I have found my place at MY Place. I can’t think of a better way to spend retirement!”