Dr. Susan Nelson was born and raised in England. She attended the University of Newcastle Medical School, where she met a visiting American physician.  They married soon after, and moved to Chicago.

She completed residencies at the University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital and the University of Chicago Michael Reese Hospital.  Thereafter she practiced pediatrics in Evanston with a managed care provider and in private practice.  In 1987, she joined Dr. Alvarez at Elm Street Pediatrics, and in 1994 she took over the practice.

Dr. Nelson is an Illinois state-licensed and board-certified physician, and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  She is on staff at North Shore University Healthcare Systems, covering Evanston, Glenbrook and Highland Park Hospitals; she is also on staff at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.   She has been featured in Parents Magazine.  Dr. Nelson has a wide variety of clinical interests, including ADD/ ADHD diagnosis and management, constipation and encopresis management, treating bedwetting/ enuresis, and managing chronic conditions such as asthma and allergies.

In adddition to her years of medical training and experience, Dr. Nelson has gained a wealth of knowledge from raising five children of her own.  She is currently in the office 4 days per week, and her usual day off is Wednesday.  Approximately 3 or 4 times per year, she travels to England for several weeks at a time to spend time with her husband, who works as a surgeon in Northern England.  She remains dedicated to her patients while traveling, and is reachable by email and phone at these times.