Dr. Richard Nelson, New Providence received 2018 Jefferson Award

"Ordinary people doing extraordinary things" Dr. Richard Nelson, Board President of the Enright Melanoma Foundation, received the BD Health Care Professional JEFFERSON AWARD.

Each year the New Jersey State Governor's Jefferson Awards highlight the spirit of civic engagement among New Jersey's 1.5 million volunteers and provide Jefferson Awards medals in 22 categories of volunteer service.

The 2018 New Jersey State Governor's Jefferson Awards presentation ceremony and celebration of volunteerism was held at the Trenton War Memorial on Saturday, June 2, 2018.

The BD Health Care Professional category recognizes individuals who volunteer their time and talents to address the physical and/or psychological health care needs of those who are uninsured, unrepresented, or unable to obtain basic or specialized care on their own.

Dr. Richard Nelson worked with colleagues to co-found the Enright Melanoma Foundation after the loss of their friend, Dr Joseph Enright (a Summit Medical Group internist), to malignant melanoma at the age of 37. Since 1999, they have passionately pursued a mission to raise sun safety awareness and prevent melanoma through preventive education and early detection.

Dr. Nelson has led the organization for the past 15 years and helped create and launch the Enright Sun Safety Certification™ programs that have been used to educate thousands of youth, teachers, nurses, coaches and parents.

Dr. Nelson's volunteer service has saved countless lives, and Dr. Nelson is the rightful recipient of the 2018 Jefferson Award "BD Health Care Professional" Medallion.