David Nelson said he always wanted to be a physician. Working at Student Health Services, he said, gives him the opportunity to treat different problems and help different students.
“I enjoy working at student health because I like working with the students,” Nelson said. “It’s fun, and it’s a nice group to work with.”
Nelson, born in Chicago in 1957, grew up outside the city.
“I remember as a boy, I wanted to be a doctor, and I give credit to my mother,” Nelson said. “She wanted to be a doctor, but in the 1950s that was not as common a thing. It would have been difficult for her in those days to raise a family of four and do medical study, so she encouraged me that way, and I had a natural interest, too.”
Nelson attended Boston University and graduated with a medical degree in 1982.
He completed his residency in family medicine at Florida Hospital in Orlando.
Once he finished, Nelson moved to North Carolina to work as part of the National Health Service Corps, which helped give a full range of medical care to those in rural areas.
After his service, he decided to move to Richmond and take a job at VCU.
He has now been living in Richmond for 16 years with his wife and two daughters.
Nelson, a staff physician, does primary care for students.
“I see anyone who presents for care. Because I’m in family practice, my training is as broad of training as there is available,” Nelson said. “I can work with kids through the elderly. And I have gravitated to some other areas as well, including some primary care psychiatry.”
Betty Reppert, associate director of student health services, said she enjoys working with Nelson.
“He’s very kind and gentle,” she said. “He also has a special interest in students and student mental health.”
Nelson said he considers working with the students as the best part of his job.
“One of my favorite parts is getting to know the students better and seeing them get better,” Nelson said. “I see some that are having difficulties with emotional problems, and them getting better is nice to see.”
He said he also enjoys working with the staff at student health.
Lindsey Eades, assistant director of administration for student health services, said she feels likewise about Nelson.
“He is very experienced and knowledgeable,” Eades said. “He has a lot to offer.”
In his spare time out of the clinic, Nelson likes to go running and follow cross country and track in the newspapers. He also enjoys going to his daughters’ different activities, ranging from sporting events to drama performances.
All in all, Nelson said he feels he has contributed to the lives of many students and finds it gratifying to see the change in students over the years.
“We have a first-class health center here,” Nelson said. “It’s excellent for students and an excellent place to work, for me.”