Farewell to a gentleman with flair

"A little man can cast a big shadow”.

A farewell portrait of Ole Steen Nielsen, the outgoing vice-dean for research at Health, really should begin with a quote from Storm P. Just as Ole Steen Nielsen himself has kicked-off countless meetings as consultant at Aarhus University Hospital and, since 2011, as vice-dean for research at the Health at Aarhus University.

"He’s really obsessed with Storm P.," says Inger Vithen, former head nurse at the Department of Oncology at the old Aarhus Hospital, where she worked closely with Ole Steen Nielsen for eleven years. Her testimonial is unambiguous and heartfelt:

"Ole is the best colleague you could wish for. He listens, he’s genuinely curious and he’s tireless."

They worked together at a time when the field of cancer treatment was developing in leaps and bounds. Denmark introduced new cancer care pathways, new forms of treatment arrived, and reorganisations were routine. Nonetheless, Ole Steen Nielsen also found time to support enterprising nurses in creating a long wished for section for young people. One reason for this was that he made use of his good relations in Aarhus County.

"Ole was skilled at creating a good atmosphere and getting people involved, both in smaller and bigger contexts," says Inger Vithen. It was here that Storm P. played a role. 

"Ole could always find a Storm P. quote that suited the occasion, or which could diffuse a situation. It became his signature," she says

Trust in the employees

However, it appears that finding the correct Storm P. quote to diffuse the situation was not so easy back in 2011 when Ole Steen Nielsen announced that he was to become vice-dean for research at Aarhus University. According to head consultant Morten Høyer, his resignation sent shockwaves through the oncology department.

"Ole leaving the hospital system was a loss. He was a visionary on behalf of the department, and he was involved in driving the individual cancer treatment in particular forward. As a manager he was able to give the employees free rein and show trust. That allows you to grow," says Morten Høyer, who was himself a young medical doctor in Ole Steen Nielsen's department. 

'Unselfish' is another adjective that he associates with Ole Steen Nielsen becoming vice-dean.

"In reality, Ole put his own research career to one side so he could work on the bigger issue of developing the conditions for research. Even though we were very sorry to lose him at the department, we had to recognise that the university was the next best place for him and for the hospital," says Morten Høyer.

Bridging cultural differences

Ole Steen Nielsen came to Aarhus University at a time of upheaval with Health's departments being reorganised. The tasks facing him included maintaining and developing world-class research, contributing to obtaining research funding, bringing more women into elite research, cultivating international networks and getting the best minds to apply to Health.

Furthermore, throughout his time at Health, he has also been a member of the cross-disciplinary Committee for Research Support at AU. Here he was flanked by his vice-dean colleague from BSS, Per Baltzer Overgaard. He emphasises Ole Steen Nielsen's ability to bridge the cultural differences between the committee members.

"You can sense Ole's extensive experience from the healthcare sector. He knows how the sometimes difficult relations between jurists and economists and medical doctors should be tackled, and this has given him the competences to handle meetings with many different interests and participants. Self-importance and people marking their territory are not uncommon in these contexts, but never from Ole. He could always say something like ‘none of us are world champions here, and that’s a relief’," says Per Baltzer Overgaard.

He is particularly impressed with Ole Steen Nielsen's work to implement the university's new code of practice for recruitment. A paradigm shift in how appointments are made, which has forced the academic environments to broaden their horizons when searching for new talent.

"It's been a battle, but he has done it admirably without making enemies," says Per Baltzer Overgaard.

A gentleman – with a smart comment

There is also a big thank you for Ole Steen Nielsen’s efforts as vice-chair of AU’s Research Committee from the rector’s office and the chair of the committee, Brian Bech Nielsen.

"Ole is the epitome of decency, and he has been a great support for me. Ole has perfected having a dialogue, and he’s always in good spirits, which is reflected in the way he holds meetings. He doesn’t need to be in the spotlight and he is the epitome of a classic gentleman; well-prepared, with flair and elegance," says Brian Bech Nielsen. 

Whether the following anecdote is of gentleman quality is up to the reader to decide, but Rector Brian Bech Nielsen laughs sincerely as he tells it: 

"At times there were problems with the sewer in the rector's office building, and sometimes a really bad smell drifted up from the basement. On one of these days I ran into Ole on the stairs, where he met me with a twinkle in his eye and remarked: ‘It's worth noting that the closer you get to the senior management, the more it smells of shit’. I still laugh about it," says Brian Bech Nielsen.

In 2016, he asked Ole Steen Nielsen to become acting dean until the vacant position was filled. 

"It was an obvious move to ask Ole, and fortunately he was ready to take on the task. It gave us a good transition until Lars Bo Nielsen arrived, and I'm very grateful for that.”

No skeletons in the cupboard

This is also a view which Dean at the Faculty of Health Lars Bo Nielsen agrees with.

"I can't imagine a better start. Ole had taken the decisions that were necessary, but he hadn’t made long-term plans. I arrived at a very well-prepared and properly run organisation. There weren’t any skeletons in the cupboards, as it were,” says Lars Bo Nielsen.

Colleagues highlight Ole Steen Nielsen's strong social qualities. He is the person you would like to sit next to at lunch or at a meeting. There would be zero risk of getting bored. He is polite and happy to discuss art, literature and – of course – Storm P., which he has apparently been fascinated by for many years. No one knows how many years or why, but Ole Steen Nielsen would never miss a chance to use a quote from Storm P. or use one of the small whimsical drawings with text that he was famous for.

"I’ve gotten to know Storm P. pretty well," says Lise Wogensen Bach, vice-dean for education and Ole Steen Nielsen's next door neighbour in the Victor Albeck building. 

"Ole is a strategic thinking vice-dean that can easily identify difficult issues and doesn’t hesitate to come with solution proposals. He wants to make a difference. Moreover, he’s a good colleague and generous with his personal experience when it helps. I’m going to miss everything about Ole," says Lise Wogensen Bach.

More on Ole

Ole Steen Nielsen (67) graduated as a medical doctor in 1980, as a DMSc in 1984, and as a medical specialist in 1990. He was head consultant at the Department of Cancer at Aarhus University Hospital from 1995-2011. Following this, he was vice-dean for research at Health Aarhus University, interrupted by a period as acting dean in 2016-2017. He has carried out both basic and clinical research, among other things in the field of palliative medicine and treatment of sarcomas.

Due to COVID-19, the farewell reception for Ole Steen Nielsen Tuesday the 1st of September has been POSTPONED to the 1st of December. Read the invitation for more information.

Ole Steen Nielsen is replaced by Hans Erik Bøtker from Aarhus University Hospital.