Dr. Lara Nelson, MD

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Unveiling a Commitment to Research and Clinical Excellence in Enhancing Children’s Health

Dr. Lara Nelson, MD, is an esteemed leader in the fields of pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine. She has been appointed as the Interim Chief of Critical Care Medicine at the Department of Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine and as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. 

Dedicating her clinical expertise to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Nelson serves in the Heart Institute and the Division of Critical Care Medicine, attending in the cardiothoracic and pediatric intensive care units.

As the Medical Director of the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) program, Dr. Nelson spearheads innovative initiatives to provide life-saving support to children facing severe respiratory and cardiac conditions. Her unwavering commitment to advancing pediatric critical care extends beyond clinical practice, as she conducts groundbreaking research into the stress response, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), aimed at enhancing the well-being of children and families.

A native of Minnesota, Dr. Nelson embarked on her academic journey by earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Claremont McKenna College in 1992. Her passion for medicine led her to St. Louis University School of Medicine, where she obtained her Medical Degree in 1996. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, she pursued extensive post-graduate training, completing a combined residency in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child Psychiatry at Brown University before undertaking a fellowship in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

Boasting board certifications in pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine, Dr. Nelson is distinguished as a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics. Her exceptional contributions to the medical field have been acknowledged through prestigious accolades, including the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s KL2 Mentored Research Career Development Award in 2012.

Dr. Nelson’s unwavering dedication to pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine, coupled with her relentless pursuit of excellence in patient care and research, solidifies her position as a trailblazer in the fields. Her visionary leadership and compassionate approach continue to inspire colleagues and patients alike, shaping the future of pediatric healthcare and critical care medicine.

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