Dr. David Nelson, helping America's wounded soldiers

Dr. David Nelson enjoys flying, but not for the reason one might think. He is part of a group that has helped more than 1,700 wounded soldiers with their recovery.

The Center For The Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio is where some of the most seriously injured U.S. soldiers go to heal. For some of them, flying with Dr. Nelson is their best way of reconnecting with the outside world.

Dr. Nelson is an Army veteran himself, having flown AH-1G or "Cobra" attack helicopters during the war in Vietnam. As a private pilot, Dr. Nelson volunteers his time and his twin engine cessna 425 with Veterans Airlift Command. VAC, as it's called, is a completely civilian organization of pilots helping wounded soldiers reunite with family or attended special events ... at no cost.

Dr. Nelson recently headed to New Mexico -- just south of Albuquerque -- to meet another VAC pilot and meet two soldiers returning to rehab at Intrepid.

"My friends who were hurt and killed in Vietnam with me... what are we 38 years later and I still get emotional about it. I really do," Dr. Nelson said. "I still remember their names and their faces and stuff like that."

According the the Department of Defense 35,944 U.S. service members have been wounded in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom since 2003.

"America has matured to the point of understanding that you can disagree with an action of the government but the people who carry it out still deserve your support," Dr. Nelson says in the video. "And I just think that's incredible. I think these guys deserve everything we can give them."

If you have any comments you'd like to add, or have questions for Dr. Nelson, please post them here or give us a call at Austin Orthodontics!

Meet Dr. Burgess

Dr. Burgess was born in Huntington, NY and grew up not far from there. She attended college at Columbia University in New York City where she majored in biology. After spending 2 years in Maryland post-college, she decided to pursue a career in dentistry.

She received a number of scholarships to attend the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. She graduated at the top of her dental class in addition to being heavily involved in volunteer work throughout the four year curriculum. Dr Burgess was then accepted into an orthodontic program at the University of Detroit Mercy in Michigan. She was able to explore and master a wide range of orthodontic techniques as well as earning a Master of Science degree for her research of the remineralization of incipient carious lesions (white spots) during orthodontic treatment.

Following graduation, she practiced for several years in Michigan, during which she completed the American Board of Orthodontic exam (a distinction achieved by less than 50% of orthodontists). Unfortunately, the winters in Michigan were just too cold, so Dr. Burgess relocated to Austin TX. She is delighted to have joined the practice of Dr. Nelson, an orthodontist that she greatly respects. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, biking and her husband Jon’s wonderful cooking.

What do you love about Austin Orthodontics?

From your very first visit to our office Dr. Nelson and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We consider it a privilege to work with you and look forward to knowing you as friends as well as patients. By providing excellent personal and technical expertise to all of our patients, we are confident you will be pleased with your experience.

We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Nelson? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting Austin Orthodontics for years, we’d love to hear your feedback on our networks. Or, you can tell us by giving us a call!

Meet Our Orthodontist

A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Dr. Nelson has been practicing in dentistry since 1978, when he entered dental school at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston. His graduate thesis on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction continues to be a significant focus of our practice today. In 1982, he was selected by the Academy of General Dentists as the Outstanding Young Dentist of the Year. Since then, Dr. Nelson has continued to attend, participate in and instruct in all phases of orthodontic continuing education programs.

After completing his studies with honors, Dr. Nelson moved to Austin to open his private practice, where he now resides with his wife, Brenda, and his daughters, Jessica and Jayna. He and his family enjoy snow skiing, restoring classic cars, flying, and spending quality time together.