Blair Nelson

Job Title

• Program Director
  Medical Sciences (M.S.), Graduate School

Highlight

Dr. Nelson is the program director of Bethel University's Master of Science in Medical Sciences. The program director serves as a mentor to students and helps facilitate the integration of faith and learning in the program.

Started at Bethel

January 2022

Education

• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - Medical Doctor (M.D.), 1998
• University of North Dakota - B.S., 1993

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 step into the role of Program Director of the Masters of Medical Sciences degree in the school of graduate education at Bethel University. As an adjunct professor of Anatomy and Physiology the past semester 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 make this graduate program 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. Liv is currently in Chiropractic school at Northwestern. Jack is in college at Gustavus (for now-hoping to recruit him to Bethel soon). Chrissie is heading into her senior year at Mahtomedi High School and dances competitively for Larkin Studios. We have a diabetic Keeshond dog (Marley) and 2 ragdoll/siamese (ragamese) kittens (Coco Chanel & Louis Vuitton). In my freetime (ha!) I enjoy golfing, exercising when Tamie makes me, music (1980's), and movies.

Courses Taught

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

Master 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