Professional Role and Responsibilities
Laura Nelson, MD, MBA, has served as the Vice President and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Prevea Health since July 2015, a tenure exceeding 10 years. In this executive leadership position, Dr. Nelson is based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and is responsible for guiding patient care protocols, policy direction, and providing strategic oversight to medical staff including associate medical directors, department chairs, physicians, and senior managers. Her leadership role focuses on ensuring quality of care that meets and exceeds patient expectations, emphasizing both outpatient and hospital care settings throughout Northeast Wisconsin, extending up to Marinette.
Prevea Health, established in 1996, partners with multiple hospitals (HSHS St. Vincent, St. Mary’s, St. Nicholas, and St. Clare Memorial) to support a medical network of over 200 physicians across more than 60 specialties, which contextualizes the scope and complexity of Dr. Nelson’s leadership responsibilities.
Career History
Prior to joining Prevea Health, Dr. Nelson accumulated 21 years of progressive leadership experience at Marshfield Clinic, where she culminated her tenure as Chief Medical Officer (March 2011 – July 2015). Her healthcare career spans over 25 years, with extensive experience in clinical practice, healthcare leadership, and executive medical management across Wisconsin.
Educational Background
- Doctor of Medicine (MD), Internal Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (1987–1991)
- MBA, University of St. Thomas (completed in 2001)
- BS in Medical Technology, University of Wisconsin St. Point (graduated 1987)
Dr. Nelson’s combined clinical and business education underpins her capability to integrate medical expertise with organizational management and strategic execution.
Additional Leadership and Community Roles
As of early 2024, Dr. Nelson was appointed as the next President and CEO of the Green Bay Botanical Garden, transitioning into this role in spring 2024 after nearly nine years at Prevea Health. She served previously as a Board Member of the Garden, demonstrating commitment to community engagement and nonprofit governance alongside her healthcare executive career.
She holds certification as an Executive Coach, highlighting experience in leadership development, change management, collaboration, and mentoring, which are critical skills for both her healthcare and nonprofit leadership positions.
Notable Professional Strengths and Insights
- Extensive leadership experience across healthcare systems in Wisconsin, combining clinical, administrative, and strategic responsibilities.
- Deep knowledge of regional healthcare infrastructure and commitment to patient-centered care models.
- Skilled in relationship building and cross-departmental collaboration, essential for navigating complex healthcare networks.
- Proven track record of supporting quality improvement initiatives and innovation in care delivery.
- Her MBA and executive coaching credentials suggest a strong focus on leadership effectiveness, organizational culture, and sustained team performance.
- Her tenure at Prevea coincided with organizational initiatives such as the opening of specialty clinics including COVID-19 recovery care, reflecting responsiveness to evolving healthcare needs.
Organizational Context: Prevea Health
Prevea Health emphasizes a healthcare delivery culture focused on treating patients like family, an aspect Dr. Nelson cited as a significant factor in her joining the organization. The health system's partnership with regional hospitals and broad physician network positions it as a key player in Northeast Wisconsin’s healthcare landscape. Prevea’s recent response to long-term COVID-19 symptom management through specialized clinics falls within the service portfolio under Dr. Nelson’s tenure, indicative of adaptive clinical leadership.
This profile synthesizes Dr. Laura Nelson’s professional trajectory, educational qualifications, leadership competencies, and current roles relevant to her position at Prevea Health and the Green Bay community, offering a detailed understanding of her senior executive capabilities and healthcare expertise.
