Kelly C. Nelson, M.D.
Department of Dermatology, Division of Internal Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Dermatology, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Associate Medical Director, Department of Dermatology, Division of Internal Medicine, Melanoma and Skin Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2004 | University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA, MD, Internal Medicine |
| 2000 | Davidson College, Davidson, NC, USA, BS, Biology; Concentration in Medical Humanities |
Postgraduate Training
| 2007-2008 | Chief Resident, Training Program, University of North Carolina Health Care, Chapel Hill, NC |
| 2005-2008 | Clinical Residency, Dermatology, University of North Carolina Health Care, Chapel Hill, NC |
| 2004-2005 | Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, University of North Carolina Health Care, Chapel Hill, NC |
Board Certifications
| 2008 | American Board of Dermatology |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Division of Internal Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019 - 2022
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Committee Chair, Melanoma Moonshot, Flagship 1: Melanoma Prevention and Early Diagnosis, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - Present
Vice Chair for Clinical Operations, Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 2012 - 2014
Chair, Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Safety Committee, Durham, NC, 2010 - 2014
Committee Chair, Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Service Excellence Committee, Durham, NC, 2010 - 2014
Chair, Duke University Medical Center Multidisciplinary Melanoma Tumor Board, Durham, NC, 2008 - 2014
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Denials Prevention Subcommittee, Clinical Revenue Cycle Committee,MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Member, EPIC Physicians Advisory Council Steering Committee, 2012 - 2014
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Najmi M, Brown AE, Harrington SR, Farris D, Sepulveda S, Nelson KC. A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative studies evaluating provider, patient, and health care system-related barriers to diagnostic skin cancer examinations. Arch Dermatol Res 314(4):329-340, 2022. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33913002.
- Atkins MB, Curiel-Lewandrowski C, Fisher DE, Swetter SM, Tsao H, Aguirre-Ghiso JA, Soengas MS, Weeraratna AT, Flaherty KT, Herlyn M, Sosman JA, Tawbi HA, Pavlick AC, Cassidy PB, Chandra S, Chapman PB, Daud A, Eroglu Z, Ferris LK, Fox BA, Gershenwald JE, Gibney GT, Grossman D, Hanks BA, Hanniford D, Hernando E, Jeter JM, Johnson DB, Khleif SN, Kirkwood JM, Leachman SA, Mays D, Nelson KC, Sondak VK, Sullivan RJ, Merlino G, Melanoma Research Foundation. The State of Melanoma: Emergent Challenges and Opportunities. Clin Cancer Res 27(10):2678-2697, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33414132.
- Fried LJ, Tan A, Berry EG, Braun RP, Curiel-Lewandrowski C, Curtis J, Ferris LK, Hartman RI, Jaimes N, Kawaoka JC, Kim CC, Lallas A, Leachman SA, Levin A, Lucey P, Marchetti MA, Marghoob AA, Miller D, Nelson KC, Prodanovic E, Seiverling EV, Swetter SM, Savory SA, Usatine RP, Wei ML, Polsky D, Stein JA, Liebman TN. Dermoscopy Proficiency Expectations for US Dermatology Resident Physicians: Results of a Modified Delphi Survey of Pigmented Lesion Experts. JAMA Dermatol 157(2):189-197, 2021. PMID: 33404623.
- Marques-Piubelli ML, Tetzlaff MT, Nagarajan P, Duke TC, Glitza Oliva IC, Ledesma DA, Aung PP, Torres-Cabala CA, Wistuba II, Prieto VG, Nelson KC, Curry JL. Hypertrophic lichenoid dermatitis immune-related adverse event during combined immune checkpoint and exportin inhibitor therapy: A diagnostic pitfall for superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma. J Cutan Pathol 47(10):954-959, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32394425.
- Nelson KC, Brown AE, Herrmann A, Dorsey C, Simon JM, Wilson JM, Savory SA, Haydu LE. Validation of a Novel Cutaneous Neoplasm Diagnostic Self-Efficacy Instrument (CNDSEI) for Evaluating User-Perceived Confidence With Dermoscopy. Dermatol Pract Concept 10(4):e2020088, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33150029.
- Grossman D, Okwundu N, Bartlett EK, Marchetti MA, Othus M, Coit DG, Hartman RI, Leachman SA, Berry EG, Korde L, Lee SJ, Bar-Eli M, Berwick M, Bowles T, Buchbinder EI, Burton EM, Chu EY, Curiel-Lewandrowski C, Curtis JA, Daud A, Deacon DC, Ferris LK, Gershenwald JE, Grossmann KF, Hu-Lieskovan S, Hyngstrom J, Jeter JM, Judson-Torres RL, Kendra KL, Kim CC, Kirkwood JM, Lawson DH, Leming PD, Long GV, Marghoob AA, Mehnert JM, Ming ME, Nelson KC, Polsky D, Scolyer RA, Smith EA, Sondak VK, Stark MS, Stein JA, Thompson JA, Thompson JF, Venna SS, Wei ML, Swetter SM. Prognostic Gene Expression Profiling in Cutaneous Melanoma: Identifying the Knowledge Gaps and Assessing the Clinical Benefit. JAMA Dermatol 156(9):1004-1011, 2020. PMID: 32725204.
- Farah M, Nelson KC, Tetzlaff MT, Nagarajan P, Torres-Cabala CA, Prieto VG, Curry JL, Aung PP. Lichen planus related to transforming growth factor beta inhibitor in a patient with metastatic chondrosarcoma: a case report. J Cutan Pathol 47(5):490-493, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31930527.
- Mejbel HA, Nelson KC, Pradhan D, Ivan D, Zaleski M, Nagarajan P, Tetzlaff MT, Curry JL, Torres-Cabala CA, Prieto VG, Aung PP. Cutaneous neoplasms composed of melanoma and carcinoma: A rare but important diagnostic pitfall and review of the literature. J Cutan Pathol 47(1):36-46, 2020. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31361351.
Book Chapters
- Navarette-Dechent C, Nelson K, Rossi A, Lee E, Barker C, Nehal K, Swetter S. Lentigo Maligna Melanoma. In: Cutaneous Melanoma. Springer Nature: Cham Switzerland, 2018.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Project ECHO: Early Melanoma Detection Educational Network, Melanoma Secondary Prevention Platform |
| Funding Source: | Melanoma Moonshot Grant, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator-MDACC |
| Title: | Project ECHO: Early Melanoma Detection Educational Network, Melanoma Secondary Prevention Platform |
| Funding Source: | Melanoma Moonshot Grant, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Comparison of novel automated dermoscopic analysis smart-phone app to genetic profiles of melanoma and precursor melanocytic lesions |
| Funding Source: | Melanoma Moonshot Program, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Exploration of oncogene expression in new and melanoma of the female reproductive tract |
| Funding Source: | Women's Dermatologic Society Academic Research Grant |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Development of web-based dermatology teaching modules for primary care housestaff |
| Funding Source: | Duke Graduate Medical Education Innovation Grant |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Project ECHO: Early Melanoma Detection |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |