Joseph Mortimer Dean Nadell MD

Joseph M. Nadell, M.D., F.A.C.S., 71, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan Dyle Nadell, daughter Kimberly Nadell of Boston, son David Nadell (Katherine) and grandchildren Joseph and Madeline of San Jose, and sister Naomi Escalante of New York. He was preceded in death by his brother Avrom Nadell. Dr. Nadell was born in New York City to Bernard Nadell, M.D., and Marie Nadell. He moved to New Orleans in 1959 to pursue undergraduate and medical degrees at Tulane University. Aside from two years when he served as a Major in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, he resided in New Orleans for the rest of his life. After graduating from Tulane, Dr. Nadell completed a neurosurgery residency at LSU and a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at Case Western Reserve University. In 1975, he joined the faculty of the LSU School of Medicine, and, in 1980, also became a member of the Tulane University School of Medicine. He served as Director of Rehabilitation Services at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans from 1981 to 1986, and as Co-Director from 1986 until his retirement in 2013. He was a member of the Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees for more than 20 years, as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He also served within the Louisiana Children's Special Health Services program for 37 years, treating children with special needs in seven of CSHS’s nine Louisiana regions. Dr. Nadell received many awards and accolades throughout his career and was especially honored by the establishment of the Joseph M. Nadell Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery at LSU in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the field. But he took the greatest pride in the accomplishments of his patients, however great or small, in spite of the challenges each faced. Dr. Nadell enjoyed collecting stamps, reading science fiction and fantasy, listening to classical music, visiting museums, and exploring the world with his family—from the Galapagos Islands to the Arctic Circle. Most of all, he took joy in the achievements of his children, and his last years were further enriched when he became a grandfather. He will be remembered on Saturday, Aug. 23, at a celebration of life at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made either to the Joseph Nadell Pediatric Chair at the LSU Health Sciences Center, online at LSUHealthFoundation.org or mailed to LSUHSC – Neurosurgery Department, 2020 Gravier Street, 7th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112; or the Spina Bifida Association of Greater New Orleans, PO Box 1346, Kenner, LA 70063.