To many patients in Dr. Nancy Nieland-Fisher's Shadyside dermatology practice, she was more than a doctor — she became a trusted friend.
"She was the most gifted physician, always kind and gentle and soft-spoken, but thorough, thorough, thorough," said friend and former patient Mary Lou McLaughlin, 65, of Shadyside. "Even if you would run into her at Giant Eagle, she would take the time to ask how you were and really listen."
Dr. Nancy Nieland-Fisher of Shadyside died of complications related to Alzheimer's disease on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at Presbyterian SeniorCare in Oakmont. She was 69.
In 1995, Dr. Nieland-Fisher became the 130th president of the Allegheny County Medical Society. She was the second woman to hold the position, which changes hands annually.
"She was, first and foremost, an outstanding physician," said John Krah, executive director of the society. "She took care of members of physicians' families, which is a very high compliment. She was sharp, paid attention to the issues and was a terrific president."
Dr. Nieland-Fisher earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, W.Va., and her medical degree from West Virginia University. She did her dermatology residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She became a dermatologist in Pittsburgh in 1973.
"She donated her services everywhere," said her husband, Richard E. "Dick" Fisher. "For example, she donated her time to the Children's Institute. She loved working with children. And she worked with minority groups around Pittsburgh who couldn't afford her."
The second child of nine, Dr. Nieland-Fisher grew up on a dairy farm in Hedgesville, W.Va. She was an active member of the 4-H Club, where she won many prizes for her cow, Molly, and was once crowned the Dairy Princess, her husband said.
"Nancy was a lovely woman," Fisher said. "She was a born caregiver."
It was in her role as a care-giving doctor that Dr. Nieland-Fisher met her future husband.
"I was a patient and we flirted with each other when I was in the office," said Fisher. "But there was always a nurse with her, so it was very hard to say, 'Nancy, would you like to go out for a date?' So one day I asked the nurse to leave so I could ask, and Nancy said, 'Yes.' We were married 20 years this year, and it's been a long and wonderful time."
Other survivors include five children, Brita Boyd of Chapel Hill, N.C., Sarah Davis of Chicago, Jennie Nieland Niedelman and Nathaniel Nieland, both of Squirrel Hill, and Ariel Nieland of Shadyside; three brothers, David Selove, Peter Selove and Daniel Selove; three sisters, Caroline Kapner, Barbara Lindner and Becky Selove; and two grandchildren. A brother and a sister, Joseph Selove and Rosie Koba, preceded her in death.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at John A. Freyvogel Sons Inc., 4900 Centre Ave. at Devonshire Street in Shadyside. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the main sanctuary of Shadyside Presbyterian Church, immediately followed by a reception with the family.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh, 1405 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217.
