Doctor Receives 2014 Humanitarian Award

Scott C. Nelson, MD, was recently honored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons with the 2014 Humanitarian Award for having distinguished himself through outstanding musculoskeletal-related humanitarian activities. At age 43, Nelson is the youngest recipient of this award. “I feel privileged to be an orthopaedic surgeon—a profession that is focused on helping people in a unique way,” said Nelson. “There are three principles by which I was raised that have been invaluable in having the freedom to help others: work hard, live simply, and tolerate risk. I owe an important part of the credit for this award to my alluring wife who has lived out these principles with me and always encourages me and gives of herself in the interest of others.” Nelson comes from a lineage of humanitarians and was particularly inspired by his grandfather, Olavi Rouhe, MD, who spent more than 20 years of his career as a surgeon in the Belgian Congo. “When I was eight years old,” Nelson said, “I saw my grandfather perform an operation in a rural African hospital which planted the first seeds for my career choice and aspirations for international service.” He followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1996 where he received specialized training to work in underserved countries around the world. In 2004, Nelson and his family sold their home and moved to the Dominican Republic where they lived for the next five years. He worked full-time to provide charity orthopaedic care for the underserved and provide administrative leadership as the medical director of the Cure International Children’s Hospital. He also worked extensively in the neighboring country of Haiti. When earthquakes devastated Haiti in January 2010, Nelson immediately mobilized his team to assist with relief efforts in Port au Prince. Within 48 hours of the disaster, he was on the ground performing his first operation, and he ended up staying there for the next six months. Because of his organizational skills and full-time presence, many volunteer orthopaedic surgeons were able to effectively contribute orthopaedic care to those who sustained injuries in Haiti. These collaborative efforts have led to a quality orthopaedic program that continues to operate and host volunteer surgeons at Hôpital Adventiste d’Haiti. Nelson and his family returned to the United States in July 2010. He is full-time faculty at LLU School of Medicine with an academic practice. Nelson continues to make trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic on unpaid leaves of absence to provide charity orthopaedic care. He also recruits orthopaedic residents, ancillary personnel and other surgeons to participate. “Not only are we privileged to have someone of Dr. Nelson’s quality on the staff,” said Gary Botimer, MD, chair, orthopaedic surgery at LLUMC, “but also someone who personifies our mission to serve others and carry the healing mission of Christ to the world.”