Practicing medicine is the work of her soul

For family medicine physician Dr. Senora Nelson, practicing medicine is her spiritual calling.  

Improving the quality of life for her South Side Chicago patients managing chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure and heart disease, diabetes and the consequences of stroke is her ministry, she says.   

“I’ve always wanted to be altruistic and give back to people who need help,” Dr. Nelson says. “This is something we’re all called to do.”  

She first heard a call to medicine as a young girl attending Catholic school. Even then, she took a keen interest in the health of family members managing chronic conditions.  

“I was always interested in knowing what was going on and thinking about what could have happened differently to improve health outcomes,” Dr. Nelson says.  

Recognizing her early talents in science and math, Dr. Nelson’s late mother – the doctor’s biggest fan – consistently encouraged her daughter to explore medicine as a future career. Then, when her high school chemistry teacher suggested she consider a career in medicine, Dr. Nelson started thinking of herself as a future physician.  

“I’ve had strong mentors,” she says, adding that her all-girls Catholic high school education taught students that women can achieve whatever they set their minds to do.  

Dr. Nelson also credits her former mentors, the late Reginald Jones, PhD, executive director of the well-known Chicago Health Allied and Medical Careers Program (CHAMPS), with helping her navigate through her pre–medicine undergraduate studies at Loyola University and her medical education at Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine with confidence.  

Today, Dr. Nelson serves as clinical medical director at the Advocate Medical Group South East Clinic, in Chicago. However, despite her busy schedule, helping her patients achieve the best medical outcomes possible, will always be the work of her soul.  

“It’s a joy to see God is working through me,” she says.  

March 30th is National #DoctorsDay. We’re sharing stories from physicians at Advocate Aurora Health to recognize them for their passion and dedication to helping people live well. Have a doctor you want to recognize? Give them a shout out in the comments below!