Itzhak Nir, MD

Biography

Dr. Nir received a Bachelor of Science degree (1990) and a Doctor of Medicine degree (1993) from Ben Gurion University School of Medicine, Be'er Sheva, Israel.

Personal Statement

I am a surgical oncologist and the Section Chief of Hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) surgery in the Department of Surgery at UNM. A graduate of Ben Gurion University School of Medicine in Israel, I completed my general surgery training at Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem. An alumnus of The Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute of Mt. Sinai, NY, I practiced abdominal organ transplantation surgery for five years, before my second fellowship in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY. Upon graduation, I was recruited to The University of New Mexico, my professional home for the last ten years.

The state of New Mexico, with its tri-cultural population (Hispanic, Non-Hispanic White, and Native American) is demographically unique. Culturally rich, yet poor in most aspects of material life, health disparities are pervasive. Since joining the Department of Surgery in 2010, I have developed a comprehensive HPB-focused service line, providing robust clinical coverage that, with the exception of transplantation, covers all ailment related to the liver and the pancreas, benign and malignant. This service line addresses a clinical need of particular relevance to our catchment area, given the disproportionate impact of HPB diseases in the population we serve.

In 2018, my program was formally recognized by the Department of Surgery as an independent section. I have since built a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with the NCI-designated UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing state-of-the-art clinical care and, with it, an integrated cancer research program. This solid platform enables us to support a vibrant teaching environment, training our next generation physicians from medical students and residents to fellows and young faculty.

In keeping with UNM's outreach mission, I have worked diligently to build relationships with physicians across New Mexico and, as a result, we now receive the vast majority of HPB-related referrals. With quality outcomes, that by NSQIP data, are comparable to the best in the nation, I am proud to lead a team providing high- quality complex surgical care to all New Mexicans close to home.

Education

Medical School
1993
Ben Gurion Univerrsity Faculty of Health Science

Fellowship
Surgical Oncology
2010
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Fellowship
Transplant Surgery
2003
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Internship
Rotating Intern
1995
Ben Gurion Univerrsity Faculty of Health Science

Residency
Gen Surgery
1998
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Residency
Gen Surgery
2001
Hadassah University Hospital

Residency
General Surgery
1997
Hadassah University Hospital

Residency
General Surgery
2005
Hadassah University Hospital

Certification

Gender

Male