Alumnus of Note: Andrew Nelson ’00

A legacy of medicine

by Emma Dodds, freshman humanities major

Growing up, Andrew Nelson always looked up to his grandfather. As a general surgeon, Nelson’s grandfather had a continual supply of gripping stories about saving people’s lives that captivated Nelson.

Following his grandfather’s advice about the importance of having good business skills as a physician, Nelson decided to major in business administration in addition to following the pre-medicine track at Walla Walla University.

Nelson found his grandfather’s advice to be sound, and the skills in leadership, management, and communication that he gleaned as a business major at Walla Walla University have proved invaluable throughout his career. Nelson now believes that a business mindset is critical to understanding the health care system. “Collaboration with other providers, staff, and each patient is so important,” Nelson emphasized. “It creates a work and patient care environment where each member of the health care team feels empowered to optimize the quality of the work that we do, which is really focused on the patient’s needs.”

Attending WWU left Nelson feeling well prepared as he followed many other pre-medicine students south to Loma Linda School of Medicine. There, Nelson found much needed respite from his rigorous studies in meaningful friendships. He participated in the medical school class choir, singing second bass for church services. Most Sunday mornings, Nelson joined the Loma Linda Lopers for a recreational run. Nelson has maintained this passion for running, having completed 14 marathons, five 50K ultramarathons, and 13 100-mile ultramarathons to date across the world. He reunited with several classmates in 2002 while completing the Los Angeles Marathon.

During his fourth year at Loma Linda University, Nelson also discovered his medical passion, deciding to specialize in diagnostic radiology. He really enjoyed his first two years of basic sciences, particularly his classes in gross anatomy and pathology. “I found that my greatest academic strengths in medicine were my visual-spatial skills. I enjoyed my radiology clerkship so much that I took two additional radiologist clerkships before graduation,” Nelson said.

A newly-minted physician, having completed his residency in diagnostic radiology at LLU Medical Center, Nelson had the opportunity to serve as an active duty radiologist and chief of MRI at Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He also served in the Army Reserves for nine years. Nelson chose the Fort Bragg post because it enabled him to practice general radiology and continue to advance his skills. “I enjoyed taking care of the soldiers that so bravely defend and protect our country,” Nelson recalled.

In 2012, Nelson began his current position as a diagnostic radiologist at Adventist Health Tillamook. He enjoys the incredible variety in the work he does, and also appreciates practicing small-town medicine.

“I really enjoy practicing rural medicine because I like feeling like I am a part of a small community and enjoy the serenity of the rural landscape. During my time here, I have come to realize how important collaboration and communication are for the health care team,” Nelson said. “Each health care worker has a unique skill set, and each patient has a unique medical history and story.”

This focus on individualized care surely played a part in his recent selection as Physician of the Year by Adventist Health Tillamook. Nelson was nominated by his peers for his above-and-beyond service, quality, compassion, and professionalism—a list of qualities easy to respect.

Nelson has been driven by his mission since he was a child, inspired by the profound impact his grandfather made in his patient’s lives. “My experiences with my grandpa really showcased the impact a physician can have on patients and people’s lives. I wanted to make that impact,” Nelson remembered. He encouraged students who are considering medicine to get their feet wet by shadowing physicians as soon as possible to discover their own driving mission.