Readers Choice - The Meridian Star 2021 | Page 25

THE MERIDIAN STAR READERS ’ CHOICE WOMAN OF THE YEAR

THE MERIDIAN STAR READERS ’ CHOICE WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Dr . Virginia Carney Nelson

This year ’ s The Meridian Star ’ s Readers ’ Choice Woman of the Year is Dr . Virginia Carney Nelson . She moved to Meridian with her family when she was in seventh grade as her dad , a veterinarian , took a job assisting her grandfather at the Dixie Stockyards .
A graduate of Northeast Lauderdale , Nelson attended Meridian Community College and Mississippi State University . She studied medicine at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine , and after a residency at Cooper Hospital in Camden , New Jersey , Nelson returned to Meridian . She has two sons , Kennon , who attends MSU , and Emery , a sophomore at Lamar .
With a spotlight on live music , food , festivals and events , Nelson created Queen City Social to show the world the best of Meridian .
How do you feel about receiving this award ?
It is a great honor , since there are so many great people promoting great things at the moment . What led you to your career ? I ’ ve always wanted to be involved with some kind of medicine . Growing up , I would go out with my dad ( Dr . A . P . Carney III “ Big Doc ”) for vet emergencies to assist . I quickly fell in love with endocrinology and the study of hormones , so I focused on women ’ s health , the most diverse specialty on the planet .
What do you enjoy most about your job ?
I enjoy the depth of generations I meet when I take care of a patient and get to know the family and friends . It ’ s beyond beautiful to see that all come together . What do you do in your free time ? I love traveling and kayaking , visiting natural beauty . I love the challenge of sucking the life out of any given day and making the most of it . Even if it ’ s just 24 hours off , I am going to appreciate every minute of it . What do you see in your future ? Well , we thrive on community and connections in the best of times and the worst of times . I feel great things are happening on the horizon , so stay tuned !
www . meridianstar . com
- Laura Hyche
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