Together at Home and at Work

 Dr. Cecelia Hann and Dr. Don Nishiguchi have a true partnership in more ways than one. In addition to being married for 40 years, the two obstetricians/gynecologists have spent 30 years working together at their private practice in Valencia.
Maintaining a separate patient focus at Valencia Gynecology Associates – hers on gynecology and his on obstetrics – they have created a successful practice that has delivered more than 6,500 babies and provided thousands of Santa Clarita Valley residents with prenatal care, well-women exams and gynecological surgeries, among other services.
“We have our own patients, but we seek each other’s advice and perform surgeries together when needed,” says Hann, who also oversees VGA’s 10-person staff and day-to-day operations. “If I need a second opinion, I run it by him. Our cases go smoothly because we know each other so well and our patients benefit from that relationship.”
The pair met while working in a lab at USC, where they received their undergraduate degrees. They married in 1977 and attended medical school at Ohio State University. After Nishiguchi and Hann completed their residency programs at USC and UCLA, respectively, they moved from Torrance to join an OB-GYN practice on Lyons Avenue in Valencia. They later bought it and moved to its current location on Smyth Drive.
When they were building their practice, other locales were considered, but they weren’t enticing or family-oriented for the couple, who raised four children in Santa Clarita, with Nishiguchi delivering their youngest son 23 years ago. He also delivered his granddaughter last year — a delivery he called “pretty special.”
Working in the Santa Clarita Valley for three decades, Nishiguchi says life has come full-circle as “the kids we delivered are having kids.”
As demanding as their careers are, Hann and Nishiguchi are committed to giving back to the community. Both physicians are on Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s medical executive committee with Nishiguchi serving as medical chief of staff and Hann as secretary as well as former chief of staff.
What makes their partnership successful? A dedicated staff, including their associate, Dr. Jerry Izu, a strong family bond and ongoing support and respect for each other.
“We both understand the commitment we have,” Hann says. “We don’t have to explain during dinner when one of us needs to go to the hospital. We’re independent but share a great deal together. We’ve given each other the freedom and support to do what we need to do.”

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