Saint Francis Welcomes New Hospitalist

Saint Francis Medical Center proudly welcomes hospitalist Nelson N. Aldana, MD, to the Saint Francis Medical Staff. He joins nine other hospitalists at the Medical Center in caring for inpatients.

Typically, hospitalists are internal medicine physicians, like Aldana, or pediatricians who specialize in the care of hospitalized patients. Because they do not practice outside of the hospital environment, they are uniquely qualified to care for inpatients and have intimate knowledge of the Medical Center’s resources and specialists. They are immediately available at all hours and are afforded more time with patients because they do not have outpatients to see as well.

Hospitalists work with the patient’s primary care physician throughout hospitalization to ensure continuity and coordinate all aspects of patients’ care, from admission to follow-up. Studies indicate hospitalist care can improve clinical outcomes and reduce mortality, readmission rates and costs.

While Aldana had a private practice for years that focused primarily on outpatient care, it was his work with inpatients that drew him to become a hospitalist. He enjoys the unique challenge of the hospital environment, working diligently through the discovery process and diagnostics to find and treat the causes of each individual’s condition. Recognizing the vulnerability of inpatients and the difficult time they are going through, he values the time he has to answer questions, offer reassurance and focus on speedy recoveries. He also enjoys the opportunity to work with a broad patient population that his fluency in English and Spanish provides.

He applies the same energy to his free time, enjoying local restaurants and outdoor activities, playing piano, and appreciating all types of global music. You will also find him immersed in books about science, politics and economics.

Aldana earned his medical degree from the National University of Colombia in Bogotá, Colombia, and completed an internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Fla. He has special clinical interests in intensive care settings and thyroid disease and disorders.

Rest assured that if you need inpatient care at Saint Francis, a hospitalist will help you recover as quickly as possible. To learn more, call Saint Francis at 573-331-5877.