Brian J. Nickerson, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.A., FACHE, Leads the School of Health Science and Practice
With More Than 25 Years of Experience Advancing Health Sciences and Public Health Education, NYMC Appoints Dr. Nickerson as Dean
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After an extensive national search, New York Medical College appoints Brian J. Nickerson, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.A., FACHE, as dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice (SHSP).
Dr. Nickerson is a highly accomplished academic leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing health sciences and public health education. He brings a strong record of program growth, accreditation success, and data-informed leadership, along with a deep commitment to preparing graduates for a rapidly evolving health care environment.
Dr. Nickerson currently serves as senior associate dean at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he provides strategic and operational leadership across a broad portfolio of programs, including public health, health care administration, epidemiology, biostatistics, and clinical research, as well as biomedical commercialization. In this role, he has led significant growth in enrollment and program expansion, increasing annual program revenue through innovative program design and market development.
He has extensive experience overseeing accreditation processes, including the Council on Education for Public Health and Middle States Commission on Higher Education, ensuring compliance while advancing continuous improvement. He also directs evaluation efforts as co-PI for a $35 million NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Award program, aligning education, research, and community engagement with measurable outcomes. Additionally, Dr. Nickerson serves as a co-PI for Mount Sinai’s National Science Foundation I-Corps program, leading training initiatives that equip early-stage investigators and interdisciplinary teams to translate biomedical innovation into viable commercial and clinical applications.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Nickerson served as dean of arts and sciences and senior vice president for academic affairs at Iona University, where he oversaw academic operations across 25 departments and led the development and accreditation of graduate programs in allied health and behavioral sciences. He also held leadership roles at Pace University, where he strengthened graduate programs, including health care management, and built partnerships to enhance experiential learning.
Dr. Nickerson’s experience aligns closely with SHSP’s priorities, particularly in strengthening enrollment, advancing accreditation readiness, and enhancing the student experience. His leadership in interprofessional education, digital and HyFlex learning, and workforce-focused program development will help position SHSP for continued growth and impact.
“I am honored to join New York Medical College as dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice, and to build on its longstanding commitment to excellence in health professions education,” said Dr. Nickerson. “I look forward to partnering with faculty, students, and our broader stakeholder community to enhance academic programs, expand relevant opportunities, and strengthen the connection between education, innovation, and real-world health outcomes—ensuring our graduates are prepared to lead in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving health environment.”
He holds a Ph.D. in political science with a focus on public policy from Rockefeller College of SUNY at Albany, a J.D. and M.P.A. from Pace University, and a B.A. from Iona University. He is a board-certified fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, as well as editor of the Journal of Scientific Innovation in Medicine, advancing scholarship at the intersection of translational science and innovation. Dr. Nickerson also volunteers his time as a certified mediator for community organizations and an aerospace education officer for the USAF auxiliary.
“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Nickerson to New York Medical College,” said Marina K. Holz, Ph.D., M.P.H. ’23, Dr.P.H. ’24, vice chancellor for graduate and professional studies and dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at NYMC. “Dr. Nickerson is a proven academic and administrative leader whose experience in expanding innovative, workforce‑responsive programs aligns exceptionally well with the School of Health Sciences and Practice’s mission. I am confident that under his leadership, SHSP will continue to grow its academic and research portfolio, and I look forward to working with him as he assumes this role.”
