Blair Nelson

Job Title

• Program Director of M.S. in Medical Sciences
  Physician Assistant (M.S.), Graduate School

Highlight

Dr. Nelson is the Director of Didactic Education for the Master of Science Physician Assistant program at Bethel University.

Started at Bethel

2022

Education

• University of North Dakota - B.S., 1993
• University of Minnesota - M.D., 1998

Biography

I grew up in Grand Forks, North Dakota and attended the University of North Dakota for my undergraduate degree graduating summa cum laude in 1993. During college I worked full-time as a radio disc jockey. I attended medical school at the University of Minnesota and graduated with Alpha Omega Alpha honors in 1998. I completed residency training at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona where I was elected Chief Resident during my final year of training. I practiced Emergency Medicine throughout North Dakota and Minnesota for the past two decades. During my clinical years, I was the Director of Medical Education for the ER and educated students from a myriad of institutions and clinical degrees: medical/surgical residents, medical students, physician assistant/nurse practitioner students, nursing/paramedic/EMT students, and pre-medical shadows. I have a passion for teaching and decided to focus solely on this as I evolved to the next stage of my career.

In addition to didactic education, for the past few years I have worked with the organization MedSchoolCoach where I mentor pre-medical students in organizing their academic, research, clinical, and leadership experiences on their journey to medical school matriculation. I also guide students through the application processes, working on written materials as well as interview preparation. I also mentor current medical students through the residency application process and subsequent MATCH into a specialty training program. I have been blessed with the recognition of decades of experience and promoted to a Master Level advisor with this company where I guide other physician advisors with less experience in their efforts to help students.

I am blessed and honored to be part of the school of graduate healthcare education at Bethel University. As the former Program Director of the Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS) program and an adjunct professor of Anatomy and Physiology on the undergraduate campus at Bethel University, I immediately felt at home due to the conviction and enthusiasm for Christian values permeating through every corner of this institution. I am eager to bring my faith, knowledge, wisdom, and experience to facilitate the most fulfilling educational experience for our students.

I live in Mahtomedi with my wife (Tamie), oldest daughter (Liv), son (Jack), and youngest daughter (Chrissie). Tamie is a Chiropractic physician who specializes in accupunture, sports medicine, and animal adjustment. Dr. Tamie also took over as Program Director of the MSMS program with my transition to the PA program. Liv is a chiropractor in Mankato, MN. Jack is attending graduate school at Arizona State University studying Sports Psychology. Chrissie is at University of Minnesota and applying for Physical Therapy programs. We have "fostered" several cats, and yet to have one "adopted out." Tamie calls us "foster fails." I enjoy golfing, exercising when Tamie makes me, music (1980's), and movies.

Courses Taught

Medical Human Physiology

Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Clinical Medicine

Patient Assessment and Diagnostics

Patient Assessment and Diagnostics Lab

Medical Human Pathophysiology

Clinical Reasoning

Adjunct Professor Anatomy/Anatomy Lab + Physiology/Physiology Lab

ACLS/PALS/ATLS Instructor

Clinical Instructor-Emergency Medicine

Awards

Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society-University of Minnesota School of Medicine

Chief Resident-Mayo Clinic

Teacher of the Year-Tri-College Nurse Practitioner Program (North Dakota State University/Concordia College/Minnesota State University Moorhead)

Teacher of the Year-Fargo/Moorhead School of EMT/Paramedicine

Director Advisor-MedSchoolCoach

Presentations

Advanced Airway Techniques in Emergency Medicine

Procedural Sedation in Emergency Medicine

Quote

Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.-Nelson Mandela