Valerie M. Nelson, MD

Valerie M. Nelson, MD

4.8 
2059 ratings  Read Reviews
Northwestern Medicine logoNorthwestern Medical Group

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Practice Website

Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Education

Medical Education:
MD, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine - 2008
Residency:
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University - 2011
Fellowships:
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University - 2014

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine (Certified)
  • American Board of Internal Medicine/Hematology - Hematology (Certified)
  • American Board of Internal Medicine/Medical Oncology - Medical Oncology (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Clinical Assistant Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:
Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:
Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:
Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital
Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

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Overall Rating

4.8
4.8 

2059 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

February 26, 2026

5.0

I have had good experience with Dr. Nelson in the past and feel she can provide excellent care for my current concern.

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February 26, 2026

5.0

She always has a plan for me. In a positive way. She always takes all the time I need. & She obviously is really knowledgeable.

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February 25, 2026

5.0

Dr Nelson has many options in my treatment for cancer, however I believe she gives much consideration before taking a course of action. She really wants to know how the patient is handling the current treatment and makes changes accordingly. She really cares.

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February 24, 2026

5.0

Dr. Nelson has a very nice manner. She has that often unique capability of being smart, empathetic and easy to talk to. She listened patiently and addressed all of my concerns. I did not feel rushed or dismissed in any way.

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February 24, 2026

5.0

She treated me before. She is very knowledgeable and kind.

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February 23, 2026

5.0

Dr. Nelson was extremely knowledgeable, and her responses to me were very confident. That is always reassuring when consulting an expert - she also recommended a follow-up visit, which is a good sign for me of her concern.

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February 22, 2026

5.0

Dr. Nelson brings her expertise and knowledge to assist her patients in making informed decisions and choices about their care.

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February 22, 2026

5.0

Believe her to be the best Great strategist who really cares

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February 18, 2026

5.0

Caring, dedicated, knowledge. Devotes appropriate time. Answers questions in patient centered way.

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February 17, 2026

5.0

Thorough and attentive to detail

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February 17, 2026

5.0

Listened, kept an open mind, prompt follow thru.

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February 12, 2026

5.0

Dr. Nelson is simply the best!

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February 07, 2026

5.0

Kind understanding efficient right people in right place.

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February 05, 2026

5.0

This doctor is The Best in her field. She is totally in control of lab tests and details to patient concerns and treatments where warranted.

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February 04, 2026

5.0

I received wonderful care from Dr. Nelson since my initial diagnosis and many years of monitoring since achieving remission.

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February 04, 2026

5.0

Excellent patient care

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February 03, 2026

5.0

She is very understanding and explains everything

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February 03, 2026

5.0

She is very experienced, kind and spends enough time with patients

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February 01, 2026

5.0

She explains nice.

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February 01, 2026

5.0

She's great at her job

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January 29, 2026

5.0

She came into the room knowing my medical history even though it was my first appointment. She gave me an efficient physical exam and a plan for further evaluation. She is friendly and personable which is not always the case with doctors.

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January 29, 2026

5.0

She was very kind to me.

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January 25, 2026

5.0

Dr Nelson is very smart. I shows in her in depth knowledge. She made me feel comfortable and was approachable.

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January 25, 2026

5.0

Dr. Nelson is always on top of the latest treatment options and is easy to talk with because she is knowledgeable, intelligent, and caring!

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January 21, 2026

5.0

Dr. Nelson is an outstanding physician. She is always thinking of the next plan of action and studies the newest drugs and procedures. She explains symptoms and side effects well and is always ready to answer as many questions as you may have. I feel fortunate to have her as my doctor.

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January 21, 2026

5.0

She made me feel respected, not like another number/patient in her day.

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January 20, 2026

5.0

Personable care.

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January 15, 2026

5.0

She is warm and extremely professional!

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January 14, 2026

5.0

She's the best.

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January 13, 2026

5.0

Very professional and approchable.

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January 12, 2026

5.0

She continues to adjust the treatment for to achieve the best possible results with the least side effects.

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January 09, 2026

5.0

Knows what's important to me Exceptional physician !! I'm so grateful to have her LFH very fortunate to have her

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January 08, 2026

5.0

Helped me make a decision about my future health.

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December 18, 2025

5.0

Professional and caring. She gives you confidence!

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December 17, 2025

5.0

She is knowledgeable and informative.

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December 17, 2025

5.0

She is smart, attentive and has a great bedside manner

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December 13, 2025

5.0

She is very knowledgeable and has a great way of explaining things. She is a good listener who welcomes questions and input.

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December 07, 2025

5.0

professional, courtesy and knowledgeable

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December 04, 2025

5.0

Dr. Nelson makes the time to help me fully understand options and make the best decisions for my care. She is amazing!

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December 02, 2025

5.0

She is very thorough and pleasant. Never hurried

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November 28, 2025

5.0

She is very thoughtful, easy to understand.

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November 24, 2025

5.0

Skilled and careful. Staffing

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November 20, 2025

5.0

Professional and personal all in one. I feel that she has the latest resources at her disposal if and when I need care.

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November 20, 2025

5.0

She is kind, compassionate, and does an excellent job explaining lab results. She keeps up with what is new in the cancer field and is determined to help her patients live their best lives. It is apparent that those who work with her respect her and enjoy working alongside her. She is an all around great physician and I am thankful she is my doctor.

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November 19, 2025

5.0

Very professional yet friendly. Has many suggestions for my condition and if one doesn't agree with me she has another that will help. Very good doctor.

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November 19, 2025

5.0

Dr. Nelson is very helpful and thorough

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November 19, 2025

5.0

Excellent service!

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November 18, 2025

5.0

Listened and careful thoughts of what to do next

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November 18, 2025

5.0

Competent, easy to talk to

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November 17, 2025

5.0

Seems very knowledgeable and thoughtful

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November 17, 2025

5.0

I'm a new patient and found Dr. Nelson well briefed on my condition, extremely knowledgeable, focused on developing the proper treatment plan for me, takes the time to listen to my concerns and does so with a kind and friendly manner. Don't think I could have found for a better doctor.

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November 16, 2025

5.0

Dr. Nelson is positive and encouraging with new ideas while treating me who has been under her care for 2 cancers.

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November 15, 2025

5.0

She took the time to explain my treatment options and answer my many questions and not making it feel rushed like some other doctors do.

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November 14, 2025

5.0

Explains things well. Patiently answers my questions. I feel like I'm in very good hands with Dr Nelson.

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November 13, 2025

5.0

Professional and caring for her patients

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November 12, 2025

5.0

Dr. Nelson is kind, easy to talk to and knowledgeable. She is a good listener and gives the patient all the time needed for an informative, and for me, a reassuring visit.

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November 12, 2025

5.0

Excellent care

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November 11, 2025

5.0

Dr. Nelson is very thorough.

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November 11, 2025

5.0

Dr. Nelson is very thorough and knowledgeable. She is a great listener and explains test results in an easy to understand way. Her bedside manner is very calming.

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November 11, 2025

5.0

Dr. Nelson is a true professional, who lays out treatment alternatives effectively, and spells out risks clearly. She is patient yet decisive, and I feel confident with her care of my situation.

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November 11, 2025

5.0

Dr. Nelson is the best doctor I have ever had and I trust her 100%!

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November 10, 2025

5.0

I feel comfortable and confident that she is making sure my treatment is on course

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November 10, 2025

5.0

Maybe it's intermediate, but we have succes

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November 08, 2025

5.0

Dr. Valerie Nelson goes that extra step! She is the best!

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November 08, 2025

5.0

Very knowledgeable, and treats the patient, not the numbers

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November 08, 2025

5.0

Dr Nelson is easy to understand. Good at explaining issues. She made me feel comfortable.

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November 05, 2025

5.0

She has all the positive traits of a medical professional, especially likeability.

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November 04, 2025

5.0

She took the time to listen to my concerns, explain my treatment options clearly, and make sure I felt comfortable every step of the way.

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November 03, 2025

5.0

I am grateful that Dr. Nelson accepted me for follow up. Dr. Neal Christiansen highly recommended her after my previous oncologist left Chicago. I appreciate that Dr. Nelson did an axillary exam of my swollen and neurologically reactivate left arm to reassure me that she could feel no enlarged lymph node. She said that 6 years post treatment, it is highly unlikely that my cancer will recur. I thank her for her patience and referral to a social worker, who has already contacted me.

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October 31, 2025

5.0

Knowledge Willingness to try different approaches I feel very involved in my care with her. Kindness and shows compassion. She is the BEST!

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October 30, 2025

5.0

Caring. Explains things well.

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October 30, 2025

5.0

Appreciate Dr. Nelson's expertise and patient friendly care and support.

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October 28, 2025

5.0

Dr Valerie Nelson is very attentive and extremely knowledgeable!

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October 28, 2025

5.0

Dr. Valerie Nelson, is kind and listens, she rembers your thoughts fromprevious appointments, like asking me how my son was doing. She takes the time to go over results in depth, and is alreaady looking at new treatments for the future if need be.

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October 28, 2025

5.0

Dr. Nelson has a great attention to detail, is extremely knowledgeable and cares about her patients.

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October 25, 2025

5.0

Her straight forward, friendly conversational style and good listening skills make for a comfortable treatment experience.

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October 24, 2025

4.0

I Will Tell Everyone About This Hospital

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October 22, 2025

5.0

I am satisfied with Dr. Nelson's care.

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October 15, 2025

5.0

Very caring and knowledgeable. Highly recommend her to anybody.

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October 15, 2025

5.0

When I see her I feel so telex so confident beside being an amazing Dr she is such a lovely person

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October 12, 2025

5.0

Likeability

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October 10, 2025

5.0

Dr Nelson is truly an advocate for her patients.

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October 09, 2025

5.0

Considerate, intelligent, knowledgeable.

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October 09, 2025

5.0

Professionalism, kindness, skill, educates patients, takes her time.

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October 08, 2025

5.0

She is absolutely the BEST !!! Caring and very knowledgeable

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October 07, 2025

5.0

great doctor

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October 05, 2025

5.0

She has been a terrific physician to have on my side during this time

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October 03, 2025

5.0

She is the best

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October 02, 2025

5.0

Took time to explain.

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October 01, 2025

5.0

My questions were answered

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September 28, 2025

5.0

Dr Nelson, was kind and listened to me, I felt validated by her and really appreciated her professional advice.

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September 23, 2025

5.0

Dr. Valerie Nelson is kind and compassionate.I just want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the care and support she has provided me.Your commitment to your patients is truly admirable.

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September 23, 2025

5.0

she answered all my questions regarding care

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September 23, 2025

5.0

Excellent at explaining the situation and always reviewing the latest results for communication

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September 23, 2025

5.0

She is a great Doctor and very knowledgeable when it comes to oncology and hematology.

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September 21, 2025

4.0

She is a very nice doctor.

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September 18, 2025

5.0

Kind and knowlegeable.

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September 18, 2025

5.0

She knows her stuff & cares about her patients

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September 17, 2025

5.0

Very good,to the point

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September 17, 2025

5.0

Very high professional and good person

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Disclosures

Valerie M. Nelson, MD reported no external professional relationships for calendar year 2024.

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.