Bill Text: MS SC517 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Mourn the passing and recognize the legacy of Dr. Norman C. Nelson as transformative leader of UMMC.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-01-31 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC517 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-SC517-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Barnett, Blount, Dearing, Frazier, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Parker, Carmichael
Senate Concurrent Resolution 517
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE PASSING OF DR. NORMAN C. NELSON AND RECOGNIZING HIS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER INTO A NATIONALLY RESPECTED HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS AND TEACHING HOSPITAL, AND EXTENDING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Dr. Norman C. Nelson, who led the University of Mississippi Medical Center during 21 years of its most dynamic growth, passed away on April 21, 2016. He was 86; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson began his career in Academic Medicine at Louisiana State University Medical Center, in New Orleans, Louisiana, rising through the ranks to become Medical School Dean. He came to Mississippi's Health Sciences Campus in 1973, now the University of Mississippi Medical Center, as Vice-Chancellor for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine. At the beginning of his remarkable tenure, the Medical Center consisted of two health professional schools, a teaching hospital and a small research program; and
WHEREAS, when he retired in 1994, he had transformed the institution into a nationally respected health sciences campus with four health professional schools, a major teaching hospital, a robust research program, and the largest funded physical plant expansion package in the state's educational history. That package of eight new buildings, added to the 10 authorized and constructed during his tenure, essentially gave the Medical Center a new physical plant; and
WHEREAS, Brad Dye, who served as Mississippi's Lieutenant Governor from 1980-1992, said, "Dr. Nelson's outstanding leadership and vision have benefitted and will forever impact every Mississippian. His untiring work ethic and focus were always on improving health care and making it accessible to all citizens. He was convincing and skillful in presenting to the Legislature the needs and potential of the Medical Center, its patients, students and employees. He was also a valued and trusted friend to me and countless others who admired and respected him." Dr. Nelson first came to Mississippi at age five when his father, an attorney, bought the National Park Hotel in Vicksburg. His family also lived briefly in Biloxi before moving to Houston, Texas, where he completed primary and secondary school. From Texas, he went to Tulane University in New Orleans, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1951 and Medical degree in 1954 and was tapped for membership in the Academic Honor Societies of Sigma XI, Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Omega Alpha; and
WHEREAS, he interned at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, then spent a year in private practice before serving from 1956-1958 on active duty as a Captain in the Medical Corps, USAR 101st Airborne Division. He took his residency in general surgery at Charity Hospital from 1958-1962, then held a United States Public Health Fellowship at Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital as a Clinical Research Fellow from 1962-1963. He joined the LSU Surgery Faculty in 1963, and became the Medical School's Associate Dean in 1969 and Dean in 1971. From 1965-1970, Dr. Nelson held a prestigious John and Mary R. Markle Fellowship, one of the most coveted honors in academic medicine; and
WHEREAS, among his other recognitions were the 1969 Arthur M. Shipley Award from the Southern Surgical Association; eight awards for teaching excellence during his years at LSU; the 1985 (and first) Herman Glazier Award as the Outstanding Public Administrator from the Mississippi Chapter of the American Society for Public Administrators; the 1989 Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Tulane School of Medicine; and a 2013 Hall of Fame election by the Medical Alumni Chapter of the University of Mississippi Alumni Association; and
WHEREAS, no honor meant more to Dr. Nelson than the designation of the Student Union at the Medical Center in his name. He frequently told his faculty and staff that the "only reason we have a job is because of our students" because the institution's principal mission is "to train health professionals for Mississippi"; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson was predeceased by his parents, Sander Noble Nelson and Lillian Olsen Nelson; and his brother, Sander. Survivors include: Annie Lee, his wife of 61 years whom he always referred to as his best friend; their children: Dr. Norman C. Nelson, Jr., (Rebecca) and their children: Meredith Lancaster (Jonathan), Sara and Julia; Charles E. Nelson; and Dr. Jennifer A. Nelson. He is also survived by two nephews, Eric Nelson and Lee Nelson (Lisa), and their children, Ashley and Christopher; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited health care professional of Mississippi whose legacy and enormous civic energy will not be forgotten:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the passing of Dr. Norman C. Nelson and recognize his outstanding leadership of The University of Mississippi Medical Center into a nationally respected health sciences campus and teaching hospital, and extend our sympathy to his surviving family on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Nelson, forwarded to the Dean of the School of Medicine and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mississippi Medical Center and to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
