H. Dele Davies, MD, appointed ninth chancellor of UNMC

The Nebraska Board of Regents on Thursday unanimously approved the appointment of H. Dele Davies, MD, as the ninth chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Dr. Davies’ appointment will take effect July 1. He has served as UNMC’s interim chancellor since July 2024.

The incoming chancellor said he was deeply honored and humbled by the appointment.

“It has been a privilege to serve as interim chancellor and to work alongside so many dedicated faculty, staff and students across our campuses,” Dr. Davies said. “Our best work is still in front of us, and I am energized by the opportunity to continue moving boldly forward together.”

“Dr. Davies is a creative, forward-thinking and incredibly effective leader who cares deeply about patients, faculty, staff and students and the future of medical care in our state,” said NU President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD. “I am thrilled that he will be the permanent chancellor of UNMC, and I look forward to the impact and momentum of the campus under his leadership.”

Dr. Davies was hired at UNMC in 2012, as the vice chancellor for academic affairs and the dean for graduate studies, and he was elevated to senior vice chancellor in 2017, serving in that role until he was named interim chancellor. He is an internationally recognized expert in pediatric infectious diseases and a leader in community health.

In the two years he served as interim chancellor, Dr. Davies travelled across the state, meeting with students, alumni, community members and other stakeholders as he explored avenues to enhance UNMC’s academic programs and build the most learner-centered health science center in the nation. Dr. Davies also worked to deepen relationships within the communities UNMC serves, grow Nebraska’s healthcare workforce, expand UNMC’s research impact and pursue new opportunities for expansion of excellence on UNMC’s five campuses, including opening the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex in Kearney.

Dr. Davies thanked the regents and Dr. Gold for his appointment, and he expressed gratitude to the UNMC, Nebraska Medicine and University of Nebraska communities for supporting his efforts during his two years in the interim role.

“UNMC’s mission has never been more important,” Dr. Davies said. “Together, we will continue educating the next generation of health professionals, advancing discovery and strengthening the health of communities across Nebraska and beyond.”

Before joining UNMC, Dr. Davies was chair of pediatrics and human development at Michigan State University, director of the Child Health Research Unit at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, Canada, and chair of the Child Health Research Institute at the University of Calgary. He earned his medical degree from the University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine and a master’s degree in epidemiology from the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Dr. Davies also holds a master’s degree in health care management from the Harvard School of Public Health.