Skip to main content

Russell Marion Nelson papers

 Collection
Identifier: ACCN 2458

Scope and Contents

The Russell Marion Nelson papers contain manuscripts, publications, working boards, certificates, and plaques relating to Nelson's surgical career.

Dates

  • 1942-2003

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Sketch

Russell Marion Nelson (b.1924) received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah (1945,1947). He married Dantzel White in 1945. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota(1954). Shortly after going to medical school he began working with the tem of doctors that created the first heart-lung machine. In 1955 he was the first doctor in Utah to successfully perform open-heart surgery using a heart-lung machine. Nelson continued to perform important surgeries, and do cutting edge research, which is reflected in his publications.

His professional work included the positions of research professor of surgery and director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency at the University of Utah and chairman of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. Dr. Nelson lectured and visited professionally throughout the United States and in many other nations. A host of awards and honors have come to him, including the Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Utah; the Heart of Gold Award from the American Heart Association; a citation for International Service from the American Heart Association; and the Golden Plate Award, presented by the American Academy of Achievement.

Dr. Nelson has served as president of the Society for Vascular Surgery, a director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, chairman of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery for the American Heart Association, and president of the Utah State Medical Association.

Along with his professional career, he held many positions within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including being called to be an Apostle in 1984. He and his wife have 10 children. In 2005, his wife Dantzel passed away unexpectedly. In 2006 he married Wendy L. Watson.

Extent

18 Linear Feet (2 boxes and 8 oversize boxes)

Abstract

The Russell Marion Nelson papers (1942-2003) contain manuscripts, publications, working boards, certificates, and plaques relating to Nelson's career. Nelson is an internationally renowned cardiothoracic surgeon. Along with his professional career, he has held many positions within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including being called as an Apostle in 1984.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Russell Marion Nelson (boxes 1-6) in 2009.

Donated by Russell Marion Nelson (boxes 7-10) in 2009.

Processing Information

Processed by Charlotte Hansen in 2009-2010.
Title
Inventory of the Russell Marion Nelson papers, 1942-2003
Author
Finding aid created by Charlotte Hansen
Date
© 2009 (last modified: 2020)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863