As part of an Army family, James Nelson, MD, spent his childhood in different cities across the Midwest and East Coast, before his family settled just outside Atlanta, for the majority of his schooling. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biology at Morehouse College in Atlanta, and later earned his Medical Doctorate from Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC where he also completed pediatrics residency training and won the championship intramural basketball game in Cameron Stadium. Dr. Nelson went on to complete fellowship training at Seattle Children’s Hospital in pediatric cardiology. Dr. Nelson provides care for children with congenital heart disease with a focus that spans both the inpatient and outpatient arenas. He enjoys the intellectual rigor of deciphering complex cardiac anatomy and physiology, and designing effective treatment plans well suited to the physical, social and emotional needs of his patients and their families. He relishes the opportunity to build compassionate and therapeutic relationships with the families that he cares for in both the inpatient and outpatient realms. Dr. Nelson’s fulfillment comes from the relationships he builds with patients and families while navigating these two different but complementary care settings. Dr. Nelson also enjoys playing basketball, building and maintaining his saltwater aquarium, cooking delicious meals and hiking with his wife, daughter and lovable dog, Bear.