Nelson PC
Over the course of 47 years, Dr. Mary Anne Nelson faithfully served the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, community with dedication and compassion. Her expertise was in family practice, treating dementia, diabetes, hypertension and high blood pressure.
In 2018, Mary Anne received the prestigious gold-headed cane of Mercy’s Medical Laureate Award of Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, a high honor reserved for those who demonstrate outstanding morals and ethics while making tremendous contributions to patient care, health and quality of life. Prior to this, a Medical Laureate had not been named since 2007. To this day, Mary Anne is the only woman to have received this award.
Mary Anne earned her bachelor’s from the University of Iowa in 1972 and continued her education there, graduating from medical school in 1976. On March 6, 1976, she was united in marriage to Dr. Donald Nelson in Iowa City. She was a devoted member of Cedar Valley Bible Church and the Christian Medical and Dental Association. She and Don volunteered as members of Physicians Resource Council of Focus on the Family. She was one of Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center’s founding members.
Four generations of individuals spread throughout the world were privileged to have Mary Anne as their family doctor and friend. At the time of her passing, she cared for 1,700 patients. She was a mentor, listener, confidante, problem solver and trusted advisor.