Chief of Orthopedic Trauma Surgery at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. Specializing in traumatic injuries, total joint replacement, and advanced joint reconstruction — with a particular focus on complex pelvic fractures.
Dr. Nelson is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in traumatic injuries, total joint replacement, and advanced joint reconstruction, with a particular focus on complex pelvic fractures. She is deeply committed to supporting patients through some of their most challenging moments and takes great joy in celebrating their recoveries.
Dr. Nelson earned her medical degree from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Michigan, followed by a fellowship in orthopedic trauma at University Medical Center in Las Vegas. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and the medical student clerkship director at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. She is also the Program Director for the UMC Orthopedic Trauma Fellowship.
An advocate for academic medicine, Dr. Nelson has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and presented her research at national orthopedic conferences — including this year's AAOS Best Paper for Practice Management. She is actively involved in medical education, dedicating additional time to the medical school's simulation center to support student learning.
Dr. Nelson also contributes to the advancement of the orthopedic community in Nevada. She is a board member of the Nevada Orthopedic Society and is the founder of the Nevada Women's Orthopaedic Society, and is committed to elevating health care across the state.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Nelson enjoys spending quality time with her family and exploring the outdoors through backpacking, snowboarding, biking, and running.
Surgical management of complex pelvic ring injuries and acetabular fractures resulting from high-energy trauma — a particular area of focus.
Minimally invasive direct anterior hip replacement, designed to reduce soft-tissue disruption and support a faster, more comfortable recovery.
Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty, combining 3D pre-operative planning with intraoperative navigation for precise implant alignment.
Intramedullary nailing and plating of femur, tibia, and humerus fractures — including open and periarticular injuries.
Coordinated orthopedic care for patients with multi-system injuries, plus revision surgery for nonunions, malunions, and limb salvage.
Hip fractures and other low-energy fractures in older adults, with emphasis on rapid surgery and return to function.
Recognized at this year's American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting for research on practice management in orthopedic surgery.
Honored as one of Southern Nevada's top emerging leaders for her work in complex orthopedic surgery and her advocacy for women in orthopedics.
Recognized by the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV for outstanding contributions to medical student and resident education.
Founded a statewide mentorship community for women in orthopedic surgery — a specialty where women still represent roughly 12% of practicing physicians.
Serves on the leadership board, advancing the orthopedic profession and patient care across the state of Nevada.
Research examining how external forces — including statewide stay-at-home directives during the COVID-19 pandemic — shape orthopedic trauma volume, mechanism of injury, and care delivery at Level I trauma centers.
Case reports and technical contributions on complex fracture patterns, including unusual injury mechanisms with retained foreign bodies and surgical management of high-energy trauma.
Analysis of how the orthopedic surgery residency match has evolved — including the impact of the ERAS preference-signaling system on interview invitations and match outcomes.
Recent research recognized with the 2026 AAOS Best Paper for Practice Management, addressing operational and systems-level questions in orthopedic practice.
AAOS-curated guides for restoring strength and mobility after orthopedic surgery — including total hip, total knee, shoulder, and low back recovery programs.
Read on OrthoInfo →The direct anterior approach is a minimally invasive technique that uses a smaller incision and disrupts less soft tissue, often allowing for a quicker recovery.
Read on OrthoInfo →Robotic-assisted joint replacement combines 3D pre-operative planning with real-time intraoperative navigation, helping surgeons place implants with greater precision.
Read on OrthoInfo →Follow-up appointments are scheduled through the UMC Orthopedics clinic. For physician referrals, media inquiries, or speaking engagements, please use the appropriate contact below.