Matt Nielsen, MD, MS, Rhodes Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Urology, was honored on March 21 with UNC Health’s H. Fleming Fuller Award.
Matt Nielsen, MD, MS, Rhodes Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Urology, was honored on March 21 with UNC Health’s H. Fleming Fuller Award. The award was presented during a meeting of the UNC Health Board of Directors.
The H. Fleming Fuller Award was established in 1986 as a permanent memorial to Fuller whose practice in Kinston, NC, spanned nearly 50 years. As a leader in obstetrics and gynecology, Fuller used his platform to advocate for women’s health at the state and national levels. He was a founding member of the North Carolina Memorial Hospital’s Board of Directors as well as founder and president of the North Carolina Cancer Society.
Over more than 35 years, the Award has been given to the physician who best embodies Fuller’s commitment to patient care, teaching, and community.
This year’s honoree, Nielsen expressed humility in the face of the honor.
“I was a bit stunned to hear that I was even considered, but less selected for an honor named after this great man,” Nielsen said. “Past recipients include many of my heroes and role models here in Chapel Hill.”
Nielsen’s extensive nominations, submitted from colleagues from across UNC Health, prove that he is more than worthy of this honor.
“Dr. Nielsen embodies a true servant leadership style while serving as a role model to both trainees and senior healthcare providers in his approach to compassionate clinical care, civic responsibility, all the while remaining humble, kind, inclusive, visionary, and empathic,” wrote one of his nominators.
It is customary for the winner to share remarks during the Board meeting. In Nielsen’s talk, he detailed his path to UNC, the lessons learned from multiple mentors, his commitment to individual patient care and institutional quality.
“I’d like to thank my patients who invite me into their lives, my family who has inspired and put up with me along the way, the mentors who have inspired me, the teammates who nominated me for this award, and the teammates who make UNC the absolute best place in the world to work,” Nielsen said.