Nelson honored by CMU as preceptor of the year

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Ron Nelson, PA-C, has been honored by the Physician Assistant Program at Central Michigan University with the Preceptor of the Year award for the 2007-2008 academic year.

Preceptors serve as mentors to second-year physician assistant students during the clinical rotation phase of the 27-month program. Rotations emphasize clinical skill development and offer students opportunities to work with licensed clinicians. They are trained to take medical histories, see patients, and work with other health care professionals.

"This award was presented to Mr. Nelson for his outstanding teaching and support to the students, as well as his contributions to medical education," said Brad Swartz, interim associate dean of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions. "Mr. Nelson also serves as a valued member of our team of adjunct faculty professors."

Nelson is a clinical provider at Family Health Care in Grant, Mich. He is a surgical assistant, a family practice PA, and has mid-level staff privileges at Gerber Memorial Hospital in Fremont, Mich. Nelson is the owner and president of Health Services Associates Inc., a firm that specializes in medical practice and rural and urban health system development, also in Fremont, and co-founder of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. Nelson is active in The American Academy of Physician Assistants, serving twice as president and also serves on the board of directors at Molina Health Care of Michigan.