40 years of listening, leading and serving

    • MD, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

    • Master of Science in Community Health (Clinical Epidemiology), Dana Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

    • Master of Science in Health Care Management (MHCM), T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University

  • Dr. Davies is specialty-trained in pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

    Dr. Davies is a certified Academic Medical Center Coach. This year-long, intensive training for academic medical leaders from the Spiro Coaching Institute focuses on enhancing essential skills needed to increase organizational and patient care impact.

  • Interim Chancellor, University of Nebraska Medical Center (2024 - Present)

    Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UNMC (2017 - 2024)

    Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UNMC (2012 - 2017)

    Dean of Graduate Studies, UNMC (2012 - 2024)

    Professor, College of Medicine and College of Public Health, UNMC (2012 - Present)

    Chair and Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University (2003 - 2012)

    Chair, Child Health Research Group, University of Calgary (2000-2002)

  • Review Dr. Dele Davies’ full CV for complete details, including academic appointments, grant awards and publications.

Education & Expertise

For over four decades, H. Dele Davies, MD, has strengthened educational programs, advanced discoveries and improved the health of communities, children, and their families. He has had the privilege of serving at every level of academic health systems, from clinics and hospitals to campuses and communities. He has been a research and clinical program director, department chair, dean, vice chancellor for academic affairs, senior vice chancellor and interim chancellor, uniquely positioning him to understand how decisions in one area affect individuals across all parts of the university and community.

Dr. Davies has a strong interest in community health, as evidenced by his founding of the Obesity Council at Michigan State University, which brought diverse faculty members together to develop innovative solutions to the obesity problem, and the MSU Children’s Initiative, created to bring comprehensive outpatient care to Greater Lansing, MI children as well as numerous community engagement programs and activities at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Dr. Davies champions emotional intelligence for health professionals and emphasizes that effective care demands more than IQ and technical skill. He facilitates seminars on emotional intelligence for health professionals, leading sessions that engage local and national audiences. His sessions provide practical, interactive activities that strengthen leadership skills, communication, self-awareness, and team effectiveness.

In addition to his academic administrative responsibilities, Dr. Davies maintains an active clinical role as a pediatric infectious diseases consultant at Children’s Nebraska and a member of UNMC’s Global Center for Health Security pediatric emergency response team, participating in ongoing training and drills to support preparedness for biological threats and public health emergencies.

Research Interests

Dr. Davies’ 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 future introduction of effective vaccines.

Dr. Davies has conducted research and developed health pipeline programs that have been supported by over $28 million in funding, either as principal investigator, co-principal investigator or co-investigator from several agencies, including:

  • National Institutes of Health

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

  • Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Dr. Davies was named one of the top 2% of researchers in his field by a Stanford University study, based on citation metrics that measure researchers’ global impact.

Dr. Davies has more than 250 publications in peer-reviewed journals on infectious disease topics, several book chapters, and other scholarly publications, as well as numerous presentations at national and international meetings.

View Research Accomplishments

Engagement

Dr. Davies is an engaged and accomplished leader who lends his expertise to a variety of causes and organizations, including:

  • Board Chair, Joslyn Art Museum

  • Board Member, Omaha Performing Arts

  • Board Member, and previous Board Chair, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands

  • Board Chair, Nebraska Medicine

  • Board Chair, Coordinating Committee, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Children’s Nebraska

  • Board Chair, UNeHealth
    (UNMC’s contracting and fiscal arm for industry-funded clinical trials)

  • Board Chair, Readiness and Resilience Working Group, National Biodefense Safety Board, US Secretary of Health and Human Services

  • Member, Executive Committee, UNMC Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex, Kearney, Nebraska

  • Past Board Member, American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

  • Member, Lou W. Sullivan Award Selection Committee, Association of Academic Medical Colleges (AAMC)

  • Past Chair, Finance Committee, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

  • Clinician Consultant, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Children’s Nebraska

  • Member, Advisory Committee to the NIH Deputy Director for Intramural Research

  • Founding Past Chair, Association of Academic Health Centers, Chief Academic Officers Executive Leadership Group

  • Past Board Member, Council of Graduate Schools

  • Past Board Member, Scientific Counselors, National Centers for Infectious Diseases, CDC

Dr. Davies is the namesake and honorary board member of The Davies Project that provides transportation to essential health care for seriously ill children and pregnant women. Additionally, he helped develop a national leadership training program with the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs.

Honors & Recognition

Dr. Davies has received numerous prestigious awards during his career for his research, teaching, and mentorship, including:

  • Arbor Award, University of Toronto (in recognition of outstanding volunteer commitment to the university)

  • Honorary Alumnus Award, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine

  • Man of Honor Award, 100 Black Men of Omaha, Inc.

  • Eagle Award, Founders Award, Spirit of Progress Award, Corporate Partner Award, Man and Youth Award, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands

  • Fellow / Inductee of Multiple Societies: Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, American Pediatric Society, Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society, Society for Pediatric Research

  • Dean’s Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award for International Impact, University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine

  • William B. Weil Jr., MD, Endowed Distinguished Pediatric Faculty Award, Michigan State University

  • Watanabe Distinguished Achievement Award for Overall Excellence, University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine (two-time recipient)

  • Samuel W. Clausen Visiting Professor and Lecturer, University of Rochester

Since 2006, Dr. Davies has been recognized annually as a member of the Best Doctors of America. He was named one of the top 2% of researchers in his field by a Stanford University Study based on citation metrics that measure researchers’ global impact.