Senior Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs
H. Dele Davies, MD, is an internationally recognized expert in pediatric infectious diseases and a leader in community health. As senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies, Dr. Davies is responsible for academic, faculty and student oversight of the six different health professions colleges and the graduate studies program, working with a talented team of deans, faculty and staff to build and enhance UNMC's academic programs and build the momentum of making UNMC the most learner-centered health science center in the nation.
Dr. Davies holds a master’s degree in epidemiology from the University of Toronto, Canada, and a master’s in health care management from the Harvard School of Public Health. He is specialty trained in pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He previously served as chair of pediatrics and human development at Michigan State University (2003-2012) and director of the Child Health Research Unit at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, Canada, and the Child Health Research Institute at the University of Calgary (1993-2003).
Dr. Davies has more than 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals related to his research on infectious diseases topics, in addition to an edited book on Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence, several book chapters and other scholarly publications, and numerous presentations at national and international meetings.
His research interests lie in infectious diseases, especially perinatal infections caused by Group A and B streptococcus. His work was seminal in establishing the population-based rates, epidemiologic risk factors, serotypes and major virulence factors for Group A and B streptococcal infections in Canada, setting the stage for possible introduction of effective vaccines. His research has been funded by several agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Dr. Davies is currently a member of the National Biodefense Science Board providing guidance to the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Humans Services and the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response within the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, co-chairing its Readiness and Resiliency Working Group. He is also a board member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Children and Disasters. He serves on the Dean’s Advisory board of the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda and on the Board of Directors of the Council of Graduate Schools.
Other previous national service includes a six-year term on the “Red Book” Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics; a five-year term as a member of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Centers for Infectious Diseases of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta); a six-year term on the NIH (NIAID) Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (MIDB) Study Section on training grants; secretary-treasurer of the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs; chair of the Pediatric Investigators Collaborative Network on Infections in Canada; member of the Canadian Pediatric Society Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee; member of Health Canada’s Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel; and chair of the Diversity Committee of the Council of Graduate Schools. He is also the founding past chair of the Association of Academic Health Centers Chief Academic Officers Executive Leadership Group.
Dr. Davies has received numerous prestigious awards during his career for his research, teaching, and mentorship, including the Mo-Watanabe Distinguished Faculty Award at the University of Calgary (twice), the William B. Weil Jr. Endowed Distinguished Pediatric Faculty Award of the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University and the 2022 Deans Alumni Lifetime Achievement International Impact Award of the Temerty Faculty Medicine, University of Toronto. He is the namesake and honorary board member of the Davies Project that provides transportation for seriously ill children and pregnant women to essential healthcare. Since 2006, he has been recognized annually as a member of the Best Doctors of America, is a fellow of both the Infectious Diseases Society of America and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha National Honors Society, the Society for Pediatric Research, and the American Pediatric Society.