DR. PETER NICKERSON
Dr. Peter Nickerson appointed dean of health sciences and medicine
Dr. Peter Nickerson, a prominent physician and researcher in the field of organ transplantation, has been appointed dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and dean of the Max Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba.
Nickerson will also serve as a member of the provost’s executive team in the role of vice-provost (health sciences). His appointment to a five-year term effective Sept. 1, 2022 was announced by Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, UM provost and vice-president (academic).
“Given Dr. Nickerson’s demonstrated collaborative and collegial leadership style, his strong knowledge of research and his commitment to advancing interprofessional education, I am confident that the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and Max Rady College of Medicine can look forward to a very promising future under his leadership,” Hiebert-Murphy said.
Nickerson, a distinguished professor of internal medicine and immunology, has served since 2015 as vice-dean (research) of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. He was previously associate dean (research) of the Max Rady College of Medicine.
He is a clinical nephrologist (kidney specialist) at Health Sciences Centre and a medical consultant at the Transplant Immunology Laboratory at Shared Health.
His current roles also include medical director of Transplant Manitoba, Flynn Family Chair in Renal Transplantation at UM and medical advisor (organ transplantation) at Canadian Blood Services.
“I am honoured to be entrusted with this important role,” Nickerson said about his appointment as dean. “The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and Max Rady College of Medicine provide an outstanding collaborative environment where I have achieved my academic goals, and I’m excited to lead them into the future.
“Acting as vice-provost (health sciences) will allow me to promote a strong connection between the health sciences colleges and the broader university. I look forward to this exciting challenge, working in partnership with the Rady college deans to advance interprofessional education and social accountability to meet the health needs of Manitobans.”
Nickerson, a 1986 UM alumnus in medicine, completed his postgraduate training in internal medicine and nephrology at UM, as well as a postdoctoral fellowship in transplant research at Harvard Medical School. He joined the UM faculty in 1995 and immediately established a clinical research program in transplant medicine.
Internationally renowned in his field, he directs a research program focused on mechanisms underlying transplant rejection, non-invasive techniques for diagnosing kidney transplant rejection, and health system design to improve access to transplants and outcomes for patients.
He has published more than 190 research papers, reports, reviews and book chapters and has received millions of dollars in research grants and industry-sponsored clinical trials. His work has significantly enhanced patients’ access to transplants, reduced their risk of organ rejection and improved their quality of life.
Nickerson’s numerous awards include the Clinical Science Established Investigator Award from the American Society of Transplantation, the Medal for Research Excellence from the Kidney Foundation of Canada and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Society of Transplantation.
In 2021, he was honoured with the Dr. John M. Bowman Memorial Winnipeg Rh Institute Foundation Award in recognition of his outstanding research accomplishments.
As dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Nickerson will oversee five colleges with more than 3,500 students combined: the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Max Rady College of Medicine and the Colleges of Pharmacy, Nursing and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Dr. Brian Postl officially retired as dean of medicine and health sciences in June. He will remain in the role until Nickerson starts his term in September.