Robert E. Nelson, PharmD (’97), BCPS, former assistant professor in the NDSU School of Pharmacy from 1998-2011 passed away Oct. 25, 2021. He was twice-named Teacher of the Year by students. Dr. Nelson was a clinical pharmacy manager at Sanford Health (previously MeritCare) from 2004-2011. He worked at Amgen for eight years in various roles including Director for External Medical Engagement, Medical Director – US Neurosciences Platform, and Medical Science Liaison.
“His contributions to our pharmacy program were significant and he was an outstanding practitioner, teacher, and person,” said Charles D. Peterson, dean of the NDSU School of Pharmacy.
With nationally known expertise in infectious disease, Dr. Nelson impacted many pharmacy students and residents.
“It's hard to explain the impact Rob had on so many of us in the generation of pharmacists,” said Michael Gulseth, PharmD (’99) and NDSU School of Pharmacy Advisory Board member. “We all wanted to be like him even though we realized he was smarter than us!”
Nelson worked with PharmD students to help them learn how to develop, implement and monitor medication therapy for individual patients.
“He had the ability to take complex issues, break the problem into pieces, come up with a plan, implement and monitor the outcome. He instilled this process with the students he worked with,” said Bob Biberdorf, professor emeritus, NDSU School of Pharmacy.
In conjunction with Paul Carson, M.D., and professor of practice in NDSU Public Health, Nelson developed an Antibiotic Stewardship Program, according to Biberdorf. The program consisted of pharmacists who reviewed and developed, with the primary physician, an appropriate antibiotic regimen for patients receiving antibiotic therapy.
“This program provided an avenue for pharmacy students to learn and apply their knowledge to treat patients receiving antibiotic therapy, improving patient outcomes in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Rob improved the practice of pharmacy, which will continue through the students, residents and colleagues he touched during his career,” said Biberdorf.
If you would like to honor Dr. Nelson's memory through support of current NDSU pharmacy students, information is available here to make a gift in remembrance. Select "other" under Designation and enter Dr. Robert Nelson Memorial to honor the positive impacts he made.
https://www.beidelmankunschfh.com/obituaries/Robert-Ervin-Nelson?obId=22769575#/obituaryInfo