For most Utahns, President Russell M. Nelson is synonymous with his ecclesiastical ministry.
For more than three decades, he has served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was recently set apart, at the age of 90, as the quorum’s president.
But long before he answered to President Nelson or even Elder Nelson, he was Dr. Nelson and Professor Nelson. A distinguished heart surgeon, teacher and researcher, he made Utah medical history almost 60 years ago when he performed the state’s first successful cardiac surgery.
That historic operation — along with President Nelson’s far-reaching contributions to the field of medicine and far beyond — were honored Thursday at the University of Utah.