Glasgow Speciality Care Welcomes New PA

Nicole Nelson, PA-C has been helping out patients and providers in the Glasgow Clinic Speciality Care since October 2023, specifically in the primary specialities of general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology. The facility of the Glasgow Clinic and Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital (FMDH) is not a new area for Nelson as she during her education, she performed her emergency medicine rotation within the halls of FMDH.

Nelson was born and raised in Faribault,, Minn., where upon graduating she attended Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, achieving a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She took two years off of school to work as a tech in dialysis and then moved out to Pennsylvania to achieve her Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at West Chester University in West Chester, Penn. She graduated from the program in August 2023.

Healthcare was always a career goal for Nelson as her grandfather and cousins have worked in the industry. "Growing up my dad took care of his parents so I was around that constantly. They wanted to keep them out of the nursing home," reflected Nelson. She admits she didn't always know she wanted to be a physician assistant, however medicine was always the end goal of what she wanted to do in life.

As a physician assistant in Speciality Care, Nelson has been splitting her time between the operating room, clinic and helping out all of the providers in anyway she can with patient care. "I feel like women's health is neglected in a lot of ways so I'm very excited to learn the ropes. I also enjoyed being in the operating room during my women's health rotation, as well as in my general surgery rotation. I thought this would be a great place to have an introduction to surgery," explained Nelson on why she decided to take on this opportunity in Glasgow.

Working in a rural care setting so early in her career wasn't something that Nelson had intended but she is excited to start her career serving those in a less populated area. "One of the main reasons that I was excited about this job is because it's rural care. That is something I wanted. I thought it would be more towards the end of my career that I would end up in rural care, but that has always been one of my goals," explained Nelson. "Rural communities can be underserved and so that's something that I always wanted and I grew up in a rural area. This is the kind of setting that I want to be in."

Though Nelson has only been in the position for a few months, she would love to have a hand in seeing the Specialty Care Clinic continue to grow by either expanding clinic hours, speed up processes and overall allow providers to see more patients and allow them to get on a journey of health. "I am here for whatever they need me for. I think once I gain more experience then I'll be able to see more patients on my own, whether that be pre-op, post-op, annuals," said Nelson.

She ultimately would like to end up in Latin America, to not only utilize her Spanish degree but also provide health care in areas where medical care is hard to come by.

"Another end goal is I want to end up in a Latin American community. Mind you my Spanish is a bit rusty, and needs a little practice, but again an end goal type thing," stated Nelson.

When Nelson is not practicing medicine, she enjoys fishing, gardening, hiking, swimming, hunting, traveling and enjoying the eateries available in the area. "I like having Fort Peck so close and I have been meaning to get out to Sleeping Buffalo," said Nelson.

Nelson is looking forward to enjoying more of what Glasgow and the surrounding communities have to offer as she continues to make this area home.

The Glasgow Speciality Care Clinic can be contacted at 406-228-3500.