Nelson Adams

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Nelson L. Adams III, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. is the president of the National Medical Association^[1] and the founder and president of Access Health Solutions, LLC^[2] of Florida, which is described on the company website as "a minority physician network that specializes in providing culturally competent, cost effective, quality enhancement services and care to the most vulnerable citizens - the poor and underserved who depend on the Medicaid/MediPass Program to provide their healthcare needs." AHS is the largest minority-run managed care network in the southeastern U.S.

Dr. Adams was the first African-American Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the first African-American Chief of Staff of Miami's North Shore Medical Center.

An obstetrician/gynecologist who practices medicine in North Miami Beach, Florida, Dr. Adams is a frequent lecturer on issues of health care access, minority health disparities and women's health. He is known in Florida as a tireless advocate for health access for minorities and the economically disadvantaged, and has served on the boards of directors of numerous health-related organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Florida State Medical Association, the Dade County Medical Association (DCMA) and PhyTrust Medical Service Organization.

1 Biography
2 Personal
- 2.1 Boards and affiliations
3 Articles by Dr. Adams
4 External Links:

[edit] Biography

Nelson Adams III was born in Miami, Florida on February 1, 1953. He attended Miami Jackson Senior High School, where he was a Silver Knight Award nominee. After graduating in 1970, he earned a B.A. in zoology from Howard University in 1974, and his M.D. degree from Meharry Medical College in 1978. While at Meharry, he was named Student of the Year in his freshman class and served as President of the Meharry Chapter of the Student National Medical Association.

Adams then went on to Emory University in Atlanta, University, where he completed his internship in 1979 and his residency in obstetrics and gynecology in 1982. He opened his first private practice in Mobile, Alabama in September, 1982.

Adams moved his OB-GYN practice to Miami Shores, Florida in 1986. He became vice president of network development for Sheridan Healthcorp in March 1995. From December 1999 to January 2004 he served as medical director for Greater Miami OB-GYN Associates at Sheridan Healthcorp.

Adams founded Access Health Solutions in February 2004 and currently serves as its president and chairman. He was sworn in as the 108th president of the 112-year-old National Medical Association during their annual convention and scientific assembly in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 7, 2007.

From the NMA web-site:

A board certified obstetrician-gynecologist, Dr. Adams has a vibrant and challenging practice in North Miami-Dade County. He was the first African-American Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the first African-American Chief of Staff of North Shore Medical Center. In 1992, he founded the Maternal Child Health Initiative (MCHI), an award-winning model for providing care to at-risk, low-income, pregnant women. The highly successful MCHI utilized a multi-tiered intervention that addressed the psychological, social, and medical needs of expectant mothers.

Currently, Dr. Adams is the Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jackson North Medical Center and President of N.L. Adams, M.D. and Associates. He is also President and Chairman of Access Health Solutions (AHS), a managed care company providing services in 26 counties in Florida. Under Dr. Adams’ leadership and through his keen focus on both access and quality, AHS has grown from humble beginnings to serving more than 94,000 beneficiaries with 525 healthcare providers.

Throughout his career, Dr. Adams’ leadership and community service has reached across academic, religious, fraternal, and charity institutions. He is the past Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Greater Miami Region of the National Conference of Christian and Jews, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Florida International University Foundation, Meharry Medical College, Barry University, The Children’s Trust and until recently, the Miami Art Museum. He is also a member of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity—the “Boulé,” and a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Additionally, he is an active member of the historic St. John Baptist Church where he serves as Deacon and Chairman of the Board of the church’s Community Development Corporation.

... An alumnus of Howard University, Dr. Adams has been recognized in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. He earned his medical degree at Meharry Medical College Dr. Adams completed his four-year residency in 1982 in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Emory University. Prior to returning home to Miami, Dr. Adams practiced in Mobile, Alabama for three years, where he was a founding member of the Bay Area Medical Association, an affiliate society of the National Medical Association (NMA).

In 2008, Adams launched "Walk a Mile with a Child", an annual event designed to "emphasize community health education, while highlighting the health benefits of prevention, physical activity and being proactive. It promises to become one NMA’s signature health events." The inaugural walk was held in the Overtown section of Miami on April 19, 2008. The first official walk will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on July 31, 2008 during the NMA's annual convention.

[edit] Personal

Nelson Adams is married to Effie Jones Adams. The couple have two children, Victoria and Nelson IV.

He was listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities while attending Howard University, and is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, and a Life Scout of the Boy Scouts of America.

Dr. Adams is a member of the Board of Trustees of Meharry Medical College, Barry University, the Miami Art Museum, and St. John Community Development Organization. He sits on the board of directors of the Overtown Youth Center in Miami and other organizations.

He is the grandson of Nelson Leon Adams (1877-1971), for whom Adams Middle School in Saraland, Alabama is named. Adams Middle School opened its doors to students in 1967.

[edit] Boards and affiliations

• Meharry Medical College, Board of Trustees 2005 – Present • Overtown Youth Center, Board of Directors 2005 – Present • Barry University, Board of Trustees 1999 - Present, Executive Committee 2003 – Present • St. John Baptist Church, Deacon’s Ministry 1998 - Present, Board of Trustees 1985 - Present, Member, 1963 – Present • Miami Art Museum, Board of Trustees 1997 – Present • St. John Community Development Corporation, President and Chairman of the Board 1996 – Present, Second Vice President 1993 – 1996 • Orange Bowl Committee Member, 1999 – Present • Health Foundation of South Florida, Advisory Board Member 2000 – 2001 • Meharry Medical College Alumni, President, Miami Chapter 1990 – 2000 • National Conference of Community and Justice, Executive Committee Chairman 1997 – 2000 • United Way of Dade County, Board of Trustees 1995 – 1997 • Minority Health Commission 1994 – 1995 • Ann Marie Adker Overtown Health Center, Board of Directors – 1992 -1995 • Community Crusade Against Drugs, Board of Directors 1991 – 1995 • Advisory Council Resource Based, Relative Value System 1994 • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Basileus 1993 – 1994, Vice Basileus 1991 – 1993 • Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Alpha Rho Boule • Graduate, Leadership Miami 1989 • South Florida Council Boy Scouts of America • Rotary International Allapattah Club (inactive) • Board of Directors – The Childrens Trust • National Alumni Association Meharry Medical College Board of Management • 5000 Role Models of Excellence, Board of Directors