Karl Nelson, RN

Mr. Nelson is the Clinical Director of the INTEGRIS Advanced Cardiac Care Program at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center.

Mr. Nelson received a BA degree in finance from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He also received a MBA from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.  He was a financial advisor for eleven years before going to nursing school.  He received a BSN from the University of Utah.

Mr. Nelson has authored many articles and played a lead role in many research projects to advance the field of mechanical circulatory support.  Mr. Nelson travels throughout the world lecturing and training on best practices for VAD care.  He is a member of the American Society of Artificial Internal Organs and the International Society of Heart Lung Transplantation.

His major contributions have come in the areas of national policy and reimbursement.  He has played a major role in Washington, D.C. to allow for Medicare coverage and payment for LVAD’s and artificial hearts.

He is the Chairman of the National Hospital Alliance for LVADs and he leads a group of 40 hospitals around the country to work on best practices, reimbursement and the future of the field.