Dr. Nelsen earned his medical degree at UAMS in 1978. He completed his residency in 1981 here at UAMS as well. From 1981 - 1986, Dr. Nelsen was on staff at Community hospital of DeQueen, DeQueen AR. In 1988 Dr. Nelsen completed a fellow in Faculty Development and Clinical Investigation from the University of Minnesota. He remained on staff there until 1995 when he returned to UAMS and joined the faculty of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. In 1997 Dr. Nelsen was the interim residency director until 1999. In 2005 Dr. Nelsen was appointed the Associate Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Informatics. Dr. Nelsen has been board certified in family medicine since 1981.