02/28/2026
Join us in celebrating Steve Davidson as he retires after an incredible 43 years at Fairview Range!
Steve will officially retire on Monday, March 2nd, marking 43 years of dedicated service at Fairview Range and an impressive 55-year career in healthcare.
His journey began in 1971 as an orderly on a medical-surgical floor at a hospital in Illinois. Early in his career, he also worked in surgery as an orthopedic tech, building a strong foundation in patient care. Eventually, Steve felt called back to Duluth, where he was born, and he pursued his nursing degree at Minnesota North College - Hibbing Campus (formerly Hibbing Community College).
Steve began his career as a registered nurse in Duluth but kept a close eye out for opportunities in Hibbing. When a position opened at Fairview Range, he joined the ICU team. Over the years, he shared his expertise across multiple departments, including the Emergency Department, Diagnostic Imaging, and Employee Health/JobCare Occupational Health Services. He ultimately found his home in the Surgery Department, where he remained until retirement. His wife, Sue, also served as an RN in Surgery and retired in 2021 after 43 years of service—a remarkable family legacy of dedication that now carries into the next generation, with several of their children also pursuing careers in healthcare.
When asked to reflect on special memories from his years in patient care, Steve shared a story that beautifully illustrates his compassion. About 30 years ago, he cared for a young girl battling spinal meningitis. Eighteen years later, while working in Employee Health/JobCare, a woman came in for a pre-employment screening. He immediately recognized her name—it was the same little girl he had once cared for. The fact that he remembered her nearly two decades later speaks volumes about the way he treated every patient as family.
The story came even more full circle recently when, while working in Surgery, a family member approached Steve and recognized him as the nurse who had cared for their daughter all those years ago. Moments like these are powerful reminders of the lasting impact healthcare professionals have during some of life’s most frightening and vulnerable times.
Steve also spoke about how he will greatly miss his co-workers. "Any of them would risk their lives to save mine and I would do the same for them," he shared.
Beyond his work in healthcare, Steve served as a member of the Hibbing Fire Department for more than 20 years, retiring as a Captain in 2018. He also continues to serve on the Central Mesabi Medical Foundation Board of Directors. His commitment to service has always extended well beyond the hospital walls.
Retirement is unlikely to slow him down. Steve looks forward to spending more time with his grandchildren, traveling, fishing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He’s also planning to run his 18th half marathon this summer—a tradition he proudly continues alongside one of his daughters.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Steve for his decades of compassionate care and unwavering dedication to our patients and community. We wish him all the very best in a well-earned and fulfilling retirement!