John C. Nelson chosen as USU’s 2003 alumnus of the year
Dr. John C. Nelson was named Alumnus of the Year. Many alumni were looked at for their accomplishments, but Nelson’s accomplishments stood out above the rest.
Echo Stocks, senior secretary for the David B. Haight Alumni Center, said Nelson was chosen from certain criteria, including outstanding leadership and character traits. Alumnus of the Year is awarded to bring great credit to the recipient and to the recipient’s alma matter, Utah State University.
Jane Koerner, editor of the USU magazine, said, “He [Nelson] graduated in 1965, and he graduated very quickly.”
Koerner said Nelson took many more class hours than required and still ended up graduating early. Nelson received his medical doctorate from University of Utah’s school of medicine.
Nelson practices privately as an obstetrician and gynecologist in Salt Lake City, but is now constantly on the road and unable to practice full time, Koerner said. Nelson was the deputy director of the Utah Department of Health, and has served on the governor’s board of preventing child abuse and preventing teenage pregnancy, Koerner said. He served as president of the Utah Medical Association and Salt Lake County Medical Society and helped the American College of Emergency Physicians deal with sexually assaulted victims. Nelson also previously served on the Salt Lake City Boys and Girls Club.
With all of Nelson’s leadership experience, he was elected in June and is currently the president-elect for the American Medical Association board of trustees. Nelson has been a member of the AMA since 1994. Koerner said Nelson is the second known Aggie to have served as the president of the AMA.
Koerner said the AMA’s top priorities are to support Medicare and prevent malpractice and increasing health costs leading to depriving patients of critical essentials. Nelson, throughout his job, will be an AMA representative before Congress, go to conventions across the nation, and speak at seminars at various medical schools.
The AMA has invited Nelson to speak in behalf of “Stop America’s Violence Everywhere” (SAVE) campaign. The AMA has also asked Nelson to speak for other organizations and causes. Koerner said Nelson has served on some non-profit boards as well.
“His quickness, his wit – he reminded me of Surgeon General Koop, one of the most colorful and effective surgeon generals in the history of the United States,” Koerner said of Nelson.
Marsha Carter, the alumni center’s director of marketing and development, said the center is especially honored to name Nelson as Alumnus of the Year.
-amysueh@cc.usu.edu