Nelson Saldua, MD, is a spine surgeon at Vancouver (Wash.) Clinic.
He got his undergraduate degree from the University of California Los Angeles and joined the United States Navy, according to the Vancouver Clinic's website. He completed his medical degree at Bethesda, Md.-based Uniformed Services University.
"As a veteran, I hold a special place in my heart for veterans," he said in a video on Vancouver Clinic's website. "It makes me happy that I can be part of that network in the United States that takes care of service members."
Dr. Saldua served in the Navy for 14 years, and his duties included general medical officer and orthopedic surgery department head of the NATO Multinational Medical Unit in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He did a neurologic and orthopedic spine surgery fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
He's authored multiple book chapters and publications. According to a patient story published Sept. 28 this year, Dr. Saldua helped a patient heal after a bike accident.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family. He has four children, including twin girls.
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