Nielsen, Jerri (1953–)
Nielsen, Jerri (1953–)
American physician. Name variations: Dr. Jerri Nielsen. Born 1953 near Canfield, Ohio; dau. of Phil and Lorine Cahill; m. Dr. Jay Nielsen (div.); children: 3.
Worked as family practice and emergency room physician for 23 years in Youngstown, Ohio; joined research team sponsored by National Science Foundation at Admunsen-Scott South Pole Station on Antarctica; was solely responsible for physical and mental health of team of scientists, construction workers and support staff; found lump in breast shortly after station closed for winter, with no way in or out for 8.5 months; performed 2 biopsies and aspiration on self and confirmed diagnosis through rigging elaborate system to transmit pictures of tissue samples; received daring mid-winter drop of chemotherapy supplies and self-administered medication; was evacuated several months later and underwent mastectomy. Portrayed by Susan Sarandon in CBS tv movie, Icebound: A Woman's Survival at the South Pole (2003).
See also Jerri Nielsen, Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole (Miramax, 2001).