Elaine Nelson, MD

Dr. Elaine Nelson is a board-certified emergency physician. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis and medical degree from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. She completed an emergency medicine residency at Stanford University, where she was the chief resident.

Dr. Nelson grew up with a mother who worked as a night shift nurse. As a child, she loved hearing her mother's stories when she got home from work. Those stories were alternatingly funny, sad, happy and scary - but always interesting and inspiring. After completing college, she started her career as a pharmaceutical researcher. Although important, she found research too detached from patients, so she pursued medical school. During her training, Dr. Nelson was passionate about all areas of medicine.

Emergency medicine was the perfect choice, as she found that she was equally inspired by working with the young, the elderly, those with minor and major illnesses or injuries. Along with the ability to relieve pain, treat minor problems, address patient and family concerns, Dr. Nelson found it rewarding to be a part of the emergency team that quickly responds to save the life of a critically ill or injured patient.

In her free time, Dr. Nelson enjoys spending time with her husband, four children and four young grandchildren. Recently, she has been learning to golf and make pottery. But her favorite activity is hiking in adventurous places such as on the Inca Trail, around Mont Blanc or up to Everest base camp.