2021 Hero with a Heart Awardee
D. Michael Nelson, MD, PhD.
Heartworks St. Louis is pleased to honor D. Michael Nelson, M.D., PhD, who retired as the Virginia S. Lang Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine. The recipient of numerous awards, Dr. Nelson has also fostered the careers of more than 350 obstetricians and gynecologists.
Dr. Nelson served as a sub-specialist in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Washington University, concentrating his clinical activities on the care of the underserved and medically high-risk women from the St. Louis region. Over his 40 year career, he was the attending physician for approximately 18,000 deliveries. He partnered with the Division of Cardiology over these decades to assist in the management of pregnant women with cardiac disease in general and Marfan syndrome in particular.
Dr. Nelson's research focused on placental function and dysfunction, contributing significantly to our understanding of how to support a healthy pregnancy. Thanks to his efforts to broaden access to specialized obstetric care, many have enjoyed healthier pregnancies and delivered healthier babies.
