The story below comes from the Charleston Gazette.

By Eric Eyre
Staff writer

Nielsen

As past president of the American Medical Association, Dr. Nancy Nielsen worked to improve the nation’s health care system by bringing together physicians, patients and insurers.

Nielsen, an Elkins native and West Virginia University graduate, will bring her message about health care reform to Kanawha Valley business leaders at the Charleston Area Alliance’s Annual Celebration Thursday.

Nielsen, an internist from Buffalo, N.Y., will be the first woman keynote speaker at the Alliance’s annual gala.

“We try to bring in a prominent West Virginian who can provide a national perspective to some of the issues, such as health care, that affect our country, our businesses and the state of West Virginia,” said JoEllen Zacks, senior vice president of the Alliance, an economic development group.

“She’ll talk about her West Virginia roots and how they propelled her to success. It’s a positive West Virginia story.”

Dr. Constantino Amores, a Charleston neurological surgeon, said Nielsen was a “masterful manager” of the AMA. He said she always refers to West Virginia physicians as “my delegation” and remains proud of her Mountain State roots.

Nielsen served as president of the American Medical Association, which represents physicians and medical students in the U.S., in 2008-09.

“Being past president of the AMA is quite an accomplishment for someone from West Virginia,” said Amores, chairman of the state’s delegation to the AMA. “She’s an excellent speaker and a super-nice person.”

Nielsen began her leadership role with the organization in 2000, serving as the speaker of the group’s policy-making committee for four years and vice speaker for three years.

She also serves as spokeswoman for the AMA’s “Voices of the Uninsured” campaign, supporting health care system improvements, such as the elimination of coverage denials based on pre-existing conditions.

Nielsen was 29 years old and a mother of five when she entered medical school. She received her degree from the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Last year, Nielsen was named a distinguished WVU alum. She graduated from WVU in 1964 with a degree in pre-medicine. She serves on WVU medical school’s board of advisers.

“She’s heading to Elkins after the event,” Zacks said. “She loves coming home.”

The Charleston Area Alliance event starts at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Clay Center in Charleston. Alliance representative will report on the economic development group’s accomplishments over the past year. A reception will follow Nielsen’s talk.

Tickets for Alliance members cost $200, and non-members $250. The Annual Celebration is the alliance’s largest fundraiser each year.

The Jackson Kelly law firm is the main sponsor of the event.