Residency Graduation Profile: Jennifer Nelson, DO

Jennifer Nelson, DO, always knew she wanted to be a physician. It was the obvious choice because of her love for science and desire to help others. When choosing a specialty, Dr. Nelson wanted to practice internal medicine and pediatrics, because she wanted to care for patients of all ages, but also wanted the depth and expertise that came with being an internist and a pediatrician.

Dr. Nelson was part of the graduating Class of 2019 internal medicine residents at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. She finished a year as chief resident after finishing four years of combined internal medicine and pediatric training in 2018.

She will be staying at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix to practice outpatient and inpatient medicine.

“I am very excited to continue on to these next steps,” Dr. Nelson said “It's hard to believe that this part of the journey is over. Residency is a marathon and often the days can feel long, but then you get to the end and realize the years are short.”

Residency Experience

“My overall resident experience was more amazing than I could have imagined,” she said. “Not only did I get to care for patients through the entire spectrum of their, lives focusing on illness and preventative care, but I was blessed to do this work surrounded by amazing co-residents, faculty and staff.”

Experience as chief resident

“My chief year was an amazing opportunity for growth for me,” Dr. Nelson said. “I learned to be a stronger leader, more about the details of running a residency program and it allowed me my first opportunity to be an attending physician.”

Favorite Part of Residency

“My favorite aspect of my residency program was being a part of the Internal Medicine – Pediatrics Program,” she said. “Every member of the program, co-residents, faculty and alumni, have helped shape my residency experience into something far beyond what I could have hoped for.”

How Has Residency Prepared You for Your Next Steps?

“Residency not only prepared me to care for complex patients of all ages, but it helped me grow as a leader through different opportunities that I was able to be a part,” Dr. Nelson said. “These experiences provided me with the skills and training necessary to care for patients, lead and be a part of successful teams and continue working in an academic setting. I will be continuing as both an academic hospitalist and as academic outpatient faculty and training at Banner, and the University of Arizona provided me with the breadth of patient care experiences needed to feel confident to do this work.”