In the dynamic world of healthcare, the journey to becoming a compassionate and well-rounded health care provider involves more than just the traditional pre-medical curriculum. This semester, Honors Carolina students will get engaging and thought-provoking classroom discussions with UNC Urology’s Department Chair, Dr. Matthew Nielsen, MD, MS, FACS.
The weekly seminar series, titled “The Art of Medicine,” provides unique insights and experience for a small group of Honors Carolina undergraduate students with the goal of preparing their hearts and minds to support their development as future leaders in healthcare.
About The Art of Medicine Course
This seminar provides a unique opportunity to delve into some of the more intricate dimensions of healthcare that go beyond textbooks and lectures. Through a series of informal conversations with healthcare leaders representing a wide variety of professional roles, guest speakers guide students through a diverse range of topics. Speakers share their professional journey and highlight some of the many different pathways for individuals to find meaning, purpose, and opportunities to make an impact in the world through their work. Over the course of the semester, students explore the evolving landscape of medical care delivery in the United States, from the “macro” policy level to the “micro” level of interactions between patients, caregivers, and the various members of the care team.
Throughout the seminar series, students will gain real-world insights into the profession, from the many dimensions of the doctor-patient relationship to the organization and operational framework of medical care, payment structures, government regulations, and innovations shaping today’s and tomorrow’s healthcare environment. Person- and family-centered care is an emphasis throughout the course, encouraging students to consider the broader social situations and circumstances of their future patients, including environmental, financial, and familial factors.
More About Dr. Matthew Nielsen
Dr. Nielsen received his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completing his residency at the Brady Urological Institute of The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He has been a part of the UNC Urology faculty since 2009.
Dr. Nielsen’s clinical focus is on urologic oncology and his commitment to compassionate, individualized, patient-centered care has earned him recognition as one of the Best Doctors in America in Urology since 2013, and UNC Health’s H. Fleming Fuller Award in 2022. His research program dovetails with his clinical practice, supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and The American Cancer Society.
Dr. Nielsen serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Departments of Epidemiology and Health Policy & Management at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. His leadership roles extend to quality improvement and patient safety efforts within the UNC Health Care System, where he received the Physician Friend of Nursing Award in 2017, as well as with multiple national organizations.