Meet the Board: Joanna Nelms, MD, MPH

ABPM is excited to announce the election of the first At-Large Specialty Director to its Board in January 2021. Joanna Nelms, MD, MPH will assume this position immediately following the August 2021 Board of Directors meeting.

Dr. Nelms is certified by ABPM in both Aerospace Medicine and Occupational and Environmental Medicine. She earned her medical degree at Texas A & M University and her Masters in Public Health Management at Wright State University. She completed an Aerospace Medicine residency at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. She is currently the Chief of Flight Medicine and Physical Standards at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas.

We asked Dr. Nelms some questions to get to know her better. Read on to learn more about Dr. Nelms’ background, interests, and what board certification means to her!

How did you get into the specialties of Aerospace Medicine and Occupational and Environmental Medicine?

Like many in the fields of Aerospace and Occupational [and Environmental] Medicine – especially those who found our ways there through military service – my becoming a flight surgeon and occ doc were quite accidental. Upon matriculation from medical school, I was dead set on a career in plastic and reconstructive surgery, specifically focusing on burn reconstruction. After being informed that this was not conducive to the current “needs of the USAF” and was strongly encouraged to reconsider my path. After an intern year as a general surgeon, I opted to complete my service commitment as a general medical officer (GMO) flight surgeon, practicing both aerospace and occupational primary care medicine. It was through this time that I truly fell in love with the operational and practical aspects of these fields – especially Aerospace Medicine. When the time presented for me to have a chance to attend the USAF Residency of Aerospace Medicine, I jumped at that opportunity.

Why did you choose to become board certified in these specialties, and what do you think the value of board certification is?

Board certification in Aerospace Medicine was a double bonus as an active military member as it is both an actively changing and functional field of military medicine and the residency is typically a marker for those who want to pursue more leadership roles within medicine. I knew going in that with my prior work in an occuatpional medicine capacity that it would be possible for me to challenge the occupational and environmental medicine board following completion of my residency. Knowing that one day I would become a civilian and that civilian aerospace medicine jobs are slim, I wanted a broader certification base to work from. Board certification is important in all fields of medicine, but I think especially so in the preventive medicine specialties as we are numerically small and often underrepresented in the greater medical forum. Board certification servies as a communicator to other physicians and professionals not only of the legitimacy of our fields of medicine but also provides an expectation to be upheld of professional competence and excellence.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time as a Director of the Board?

I am excited for the opportunity to help shape the future of not only the popularity of the preventive medical fields but also the availability and quality of information disseminated at the medical school (and even lower) levels of recruitment and education. In addition, I hope to be part of the positive change already in motion as we strive to create meaningful and useful maintenance of certification.

What do you enjoy in your spare time?

We have just recently welcomed our second child at the end of April and have a boisterous five-year-old boy. My family are, by far, my favorite thing! For fun, I enjoy cooking and some baking. I collect cookbooks and wine. I enjoy landscaping and decorating our home as well as other outdoor activities when the Texas heat and humidity allow.

Any other information you’d like to share about yourself with ABPM Diplomates?

Only that I am excited to be here and ready for the ride!