Richard Nelson, MD MSRC RRT-NPS RCP

Richard Nelson, MD MSRC RRT-NPS RCP

Program Director, Entry-Level Respiratory Care

Dr. Nelson started his career in health care as an orderly at the age of 15. At night, he trained as an EMT and a NA-c and during summers he assisted in navigation and patient transport where his mom worked as a medical aviation pilot.  At just 16, he entered Loma Linda University to study respiratory care.  As a student, he received the Award for Clinical Excellence and was the first LLU respiratory care student to publish in a peer reviewed journal and also the 1st LLU respiratory student missionary.  

Dr. Nelson’s decades of clinical work includes neonatal, pediatric and adult critical care working in California and as a clinical supervisor with the Loma Linda University overseas heart team. Dr. Nelson has a passion for helping the underserved and was the pioneer of the 1st USA accredited international university program in respiratory care and has provided lectures in more than 20 countries.  As an interdivision union director, Dr. Nelson coordinated work in five nations of Central Asia, establishing 85 projects for community service.  He has served as a professor, department chair, associate dean, & vice president for medical affairs.  Dr. Nelson is the recipient of the SAHP Distinguished Service Award and SAHP Alumnus of the Year.  He has served as an LLU faculty member for 30 years and is currently BS Respiratory Care Program Director.  Together with his wife Anna (SPH MPH & DrPH Health Education program director) they keep up a passion for adventure and service with their four boys.

Publications

Books and Chapters
  • Gifted to Give 06/2019 - Pioneer & co-editor of the 1st School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University, daily devotional book
    • Nelson, R. (2019). Miracle of Navoi. In Gift to Give (p. 95). Loma Linda, CA: Loma Linda Univ Press. 06/2019
    • Nelson, R. (2019). Miracle of Navoi. In Gift to Give (p. 95). Loma Linda, CA: Loma Linda Univ Press.
    • Nelson, R. (2019). God's Connection in Mineralnye Vody. In Gift to Give (p. 329). Loma Linda, CA: Loma Linda Univ Press. 06/2019
    • Nelson, R. (2019). God's Connection in Mineralnye Vody. In Gift to Give (p. 329). Loma Linda, CA: Loma Linda Univ Press.
Abstracts
  • Nelson, R. D. (2018). Lung Ultrasound Images Acquired and Assessed by Respiratory Care Students: Training Model Development. 10/2018 http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/63/Suppl_10/3025890  Reference URL
  • Nelson, RD, Al-Hubaishi, F, Nelson, A. (2010). NBRC Secure Self Assessment Tests – Saudi Arabia Experience. Respiratory Care, Vol 55, No 11, page 1539. 11/2010
  • Nelson, RD, Gavrielov N. (2010) Cotinine Testing for Tobacco Abuse – Initial Riyadh Experience. Respiratory Care, Vol 55 No 11 Page 1584. 11/2010
  • Nelson, Richard D (1006).  Beaming the negative image of smoking across China.  Abstract Presenter, 10th World Conference on Tobacco or Health, Beijing, China 08/1997
  • Nelson, RD, Burtles, Richard. The Riyadh Frame: Pediatric NTT Device. Respiratory Care, 1986. 11/1986 Presentation given at the 1986 American Association of Respiratory Care International Convention and abstract printed in the Respiratory Care journal.
Scholarly Journals--Published
  • BS Respiratory Care Students as Frontline COVID-19 Vaccinators in California 02/2021 Nelson, R.D. (2021). BS Respiratory Care Students as Frontline COVID-19 Vaccinators in California, Coalition for Baccalaureate and Graduate Respiratory Therapy Education, The Coalition Chronicle. February 26, 2021 Volume 10 (2).
  • Nelson, Richard D (2006). Broadmindedness, Tolerance, Freedom of Thinking -- as Foundation of World's Culture. Almaty: Kazakhstan Association for Freedom. 70-76. ISBN 9965-9842-2-0 01/2006
  • Nelson, Richard D (2002). Current Issues in Natural Methods of Public Healthcare, International Scientific-Practical Conference. Almaty: Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan. pp. 29-30. ISBN 9965-15-078-8. 01/2002
  • Nelson, RD, et al. Supranormal PvO2 in the Presence of Tissue Hypoxia: A Case Report. Resp Care 1983:28:191-194. 06/1983

Research

  • ​Health Care providers and tobacco control in developing nations. 
  • Lung ultrasound as the 2nd stethoscope of the respiratory care practitioner. 
  • External assessment for quality evaluation of international respiratory care programs.
  • International development
  • Expanded scope of practice of the RCP

Presentations

General Academic Presentation
  • Lung Ultrasound in the Critically Ill. Presentation, Regional Meeting, Inland Empire, California Society for Respiratory Care 10/2018
  • Lung Ultrasound:  The BLUE Protocol - Presenter:  California Society for Respiratory Care, regional meeting, Torrance, CA 08/2018 Reference URL
  • Lung Ultrasound Assessment - Lecture and Workshop for the California Society of Respiratory Care annual convention 06/2017 Reference URL
  • Nelson, RD. Point of Care Lung Ultrasound. Presentation given on 22 April 2014 at the Saudi Critical Care     Society 2015 Conference. 04/2014
  • Nelson, Richard D. Diabetes Intervention includes the Respiratory Therapist. Presentation given on 22 March 2007 at the 5th Annual Conference of the Saudi Thoracic Society, Riyadh. 03/2007
  • Nelson, Richard D. Respiratory Care Intervention In Diabetes Including Inhaled Insulin. Presentation  given on 27 February 2007 at the 2nd Annual Respiratory Care Symposium, National Guard Health Affairs, Eastern Region, Al Hasa. 02/2007
  • 2002-2006:  Presenter & Instructor in Health Education Conferences & Workshops by invitation of government ministries of health in the following cities of Central Asia: Almaty, Ust Kamenogorsk, Taldykurgan, Tashkent, Nukus, Dushanbe, Kurgan Tube, Tursan Zade, Pavlodar, Aksu, Issyk, Talgar, Bishkek, Tokmok, Karakol, Ashgabat 06/2002 – 07/2006
  • Nelson, RD – Health Education Presentation Given 2006 as Guest Lecturer, Loma Linda University for School of Medicine students enrolled in an elective outreach course. 04/2006
  • Interactive Lung Ultrasound Assessment – Interactive Training, California Society for Respiratory Care 01/2021 – current
  • Nelson, R. D. (2021). Interactive Lung Ultrasound Assessment – Interactive Training, California Society for Respiratory Care https://www.csrc.org/event-4031885?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=1/1/2021 Reference URL
  • National Board for Respiratory Care – SAEs and Credentialing.    04/2010 – /
  • Nelson, Richard D. National Board for Respiratory Care – SAEs and Credentialing. Presentation given on 13 April 2010 at the 6th Annual Respiratory Care Symposium, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Jeddah.  
Research Presentations -- International
  • Nelson, RD. Respiratory Care Boards:  Essential for Patient Safety and Career Distinction.   05/2014
  • Presentation   given on 4 May 2014 at the 1st Respiratory Therapy Scientific Day, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for   Health Sciences, Riyadh.
  • Nelson, Richard D. National Board for Respiratory Care – SAEs and Credentialing.  04/2010
  • Presentation given on 13 April 2010 at the 6th Annual Respiratory Care Symposium, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Jeddah.
  • Nelson, Richard D. Cotinine Testing for Tobacco Abuse – Riyadh experience. 
    04/2010 Presentation given on 14 April 2010 at the 6th Annual Respiratory Care Symposium, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Jeddah.
  • Nelson, Richard D. Quality Respiratory Care Credentialing: The NBRC.  03/2009
  • Presentation given on 4 March 2009 at the 5th Annual Respiratory Care Symposium, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Jeddah.
  • Nelson, Richard D. Current Concepts in Oxygen and Aerosol Delivery Devices.  02/2008
  • Presentation given on 13 February 2008 at the 4th Annual Respiratory Care Symposium, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Jeddah.
  • Nelson, Richard D. Experience Applying 8 Practical Principles of Health towards the Prevention of Degenerative Disease. Presentation given 2005 at the 10th Anniversary of State Program "Health" by President of Turkmenistan, 2005. 07/2005 Note: presentation award recipient by the Minister of Health (now the President of Turkmenistan).
  • Respiratory Care Boards: Essential for Patient Safety and Career Distinction 05/2014 – /
  • Nelson, RD. Respiratory Care Boards: Essential for Patient Safety and Career Distinction. Presentation given on 4 May 2014 at the 1st Respiratory Therapy Scientific Day, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh.
Research Presentations -- National
  • Nelson, RD, Burtles, Richard. The Riyadh Frame: Pediatric NTT Device.  11/1986
  • Presentation given at the 1986 American Association of Respiratory Care International Convention.
  • Nelson, RD. Supranormal PvO2 in the Presence of Tissue Hypoxia: A Case Report. Presentation given at the 1980 American Association of Respiratory Therapy National Convention, Dallas.  11/1980
  • Historical Note: Became the 1st Loma Linda University respiratory care student to present at the American Association of Respiratory Therapy national convention prior to graduation and publish as 1st author in a peer reviewed journal.
  • Nelson, R. D. (2018). Lung Ultrasound Images Acquired and Assessed by Respiratory Care Students: Training Model Development.  10/2018 – /... first description of a lung ultrasound training model for RCP students in the United States...with documented perceptions of both the students and physicians related to RCPs training in lung ultrasound assessment..
  • RCP Case Management:  Southern California Challenges & Opportunities 06/2019 – /
  • The current challenges and opportunities for RCP case management employment in Southern California are first presented in professional forum (California Society for Respiratory Care Annual Convention)
Presentations given to non-academic audiences
  • 1984-2006:  >25 International Presentations on the Prevention & Reversal Degenerative Disease and Respiratory Care Protocols in >20 countries including: China, Taiwan, Russia, India, Nepal, Italy, Hungary, former Yugoslavia (Belgrade), Romania, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, USA, Canada, Bermuda, Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Philippines, Malaysia, Tanzania, & Ghana.   07/2006