David Nelson, M.D.

David Nelson, M.D.

  • Dedman Family Scholar in Clinical Care
  • Gillette Professorship of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology - Maternal Fetal Medicine
  • Postpartum Care
  • Preterm Birth Prevention

Biography

David B. Nelson, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He is Division Chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and a Dedman Family Scholar in Clinical Care, and he holds the Gillette Professorship of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Nelson earned his medical degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at Parkland Memorial Hospital and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Certified by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in obstetrics and gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine, he joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2014.

Dr. Nelson’s clinical practice is based at Parkland Hospital, where he serves as Medical Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. He staffs the obstetrics service and sonography suite and provides on-call inpatient services. Dr. Nelson also provides inpatient care services at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital for the maternal-fetal medicine service at UT Southwestern, and he is a maternal-fetal medicine provider at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Irving.

His clinical interests include health equity, postpartum care, preterm birth prevention, cardiovascular disorders of pregnancy, and liver diseases of pregnancy.

Dr. Nelson is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a member of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. He also is an Associate Editor for the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. He has served in various roles for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is currently a member of its Maintenance of Certification Obstetrics Committee. He also is involved in teaching medical students, residents, and fellows at UT Southwestern.

Dr. Nelson’s research focuses on cardiac function in pregnancy, health equity, the prevention of preterm birth and postpartum depression. He is actively involved in four research projects, serving as:

  • Co-Investigator in the Obesity and Sleep Apnea in Pregnancy study, supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
  • Principal Investigator for the ACCESS to Care Study: After Childbirth Community-based and Electronic Supported to Care study, supported by UT Southwestern
  • Official Representative for Extending Maternal Care After Pregnancy (eMCAP), supported by the Department of Health and Human Services Racial Equity in Postpartum Care. This program was recognized with a 2022 Eisenberg Award for efforts in patient safety and has also been highlighted by the UT Southwestern Newsroom.
  • Dual Principal Investigator for the Improving Maternal Postpartum Access to Care Through Telemedicine (IMPACT) study, supported by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. This project was highlighted by the UT Southwestern Newsroom.

Dr. Nelson has delivered scores of national and regional invited lectures, contributed to the books Williams Obstetrics, Protocols for High-Risk Pregnancies: An Evidenced-Based Approach, Obstetric Catastrophes: A Clinical Guide, and Goldman-Cecil Medicine, and published more than 100 academic articles related to his areas of expertise. Locally, Dr. Nelson is the Chair of the Perinatal Committee for the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council. At the state level, Dr. Nelson is an appointed member of the Perinatal Advisory Council. Dr. Nelson has also provided invited testimony to Congress.

The recipient of numerous awards, Dr. Nelson earned UT Southwestern's 2023 Leaders in Clinical Excellence Program Development Award for eMCAP.

Personal Note

When he’s not at work, Dr. Nelson enjoys participating in his kids’ school and sports activities.

Education & Training
  • Fellowship - UT Southwestern Medical Center (2011-2014), Maternal Fetal Medicine
  • Residency - UT Southwestern Medical Center (2007-2011), Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Medical School - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (2003-2007)
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Honors & Awards
  • Leaders in Clinical Excellence Award – Program Development Award, extending Maternal Care After Pregnancy (eMCAP) 2023, UT Southwestern
  • John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award, Local Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality 2022, The Joint Commission
  • Gillette Professorship of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2022, UT Southwestern
  • Racial Equity in Postpartum Care Challenge Phase 1 Award, Official Representative 2022, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Top Doctors, 2020, 2021, D Magazine
  • Program for the Development and Evaluation of Model Community Health Initiatives in Dallas (PDEMCHID) Community-Based Research Pilot Award 2021, UT Southwestern
  • Perinatal Research Society 50th Meeting OB Clinician Scientist Scholar 2019, Perinatal Research Society
  • Leaders in Clinical Excellence Program Development Award—Perinatal Intervention Program 2018, UT Southwestern
  • Leaders in Clinical Excellence Award — Rising Star 2018, UT Southwestern
  • Walter T. Dannreuther Award 2018, American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Books & Publications
Research
  • Cardiac function in pregnancy
  • Health equity
  • Prevention of preterm birth and postpartum depression

Clinical Focus

  • Postpartum Care
  • Preterm Birth Prevention
  • Cardiovascular Disorders of Pregnancy
  • Liver Diseases of Pregnancy

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