President Russell M. Nelson, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was honored Oct. 8 for his contributions to the field of heart surgery.
The American College of Cardiology and the University of Utah School of Medicine recognized President Nelson for his work as a heart surgeon, teacher and medical researcher. In November 1955, he made medical history when he performed Utah’s first successful open heart operation.
Friends, relatives, former students and medical colleagues joined President Nelson at the gathering on the University of Utah campus. Fellow apostles Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Elder Gary E. Stevenson and Elder Dale G. Renlund (himself a retired cardiologist) also attended.
Sister Wendy Nelson accompanied her husband.
To commemorate his diverse and lasting work, the hosts of the event announced the establishment of the Russell M. Nelson M.D., Ph.D. Visiting Professorship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the university.
In his biography “Russell M. Nelson: Father, Surgeon, Apostle,” Elder Spencer J. Condie, an emeritus Seventy, wrote about President Nelson’s historic operation: “The first patient to undergo such open heart surgery in Utah was Mrs. Vernell Worthen, 39, from Price, Utah. She did not appear to be anxious or frightened, and she showed great confidence in her young surgeon.
“On Nov. 9, 1955, Dr. Nelson operated on her to close an atrial septal defect. All went well. She recovered without complication, and the Deseret News featured her in an article 25 years later titled, ‘Utahn’s Life Gets Bonus from Heart Surgery: 25 Extra Years to Love, Learn, Live.’ ”
Dr. Craig Selzman, the university’s division chief of cardiothoracic surgery, noted in his opening remarks that President Nelson was “our pioneer” of heart surgery. “Utah was the third state in the country to do open heart surgery,” he said. “I don’t think many appreciate how much in the forefront Utah was.”
Dr. Lyle D. Joyce was a resident at the university and honed his surgical skills under Dr. Nelson’s watchful eyes. In his Oct. 8 remarks, he spoke of his mentor’s calm and collected disposition in the operating room, noting, “He is truly a complete heart surgeon.”
He added that he was influenced outside the operating room by President Nelson’s devotion to his family and the Church.
In his illustrated keynote address, President Nelson portrayed the human heart as “a gorgeous organ.” In a presentation that included several historical photos, he shared his own history as a surgeon, researcher and inventor of medical equipment that would prove pivotal in the future for all cardiac surgeons.
Counted among his many patients was the man who would call him to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President Spencer W. Kimball.
He closed by saying he was grateful he could make a contribution to the work of cardiac surgery. He also spoke of his appreciation for the apostolic assignment in which he has served for more than 30 years.
A medallion commemorating the 60th anniversary of Utah’s first open heart surgery, along with the new professorship named for Dr. Nelson, was presented to President Nelson and the other heart surgeons at the Oct. 8 event.
