Professor George Nicholson passes on

Jul 24, 2016 News

Professor George Nicholson

Guyana and the University of the West Indies (UWI) community are saddened at the passing of one of the stalwarts who once headed the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the UWI Cave Hill Campus, Professor George Nicholson.

Nicholson, who suffered from cancer, passed away on Wednesday July 20, 2016 in Barbados. He was 79.

Professor Nicholson’s achievements were so outstanding that he was featured as a ‘Special Person’ in this newspaper in April of 2011. He was regarded as a very dedicated Nephrologist.

He was able to use the field of Nephrology expertly to help save the lives of many people inflicted with renal failure.
As Head of the Caribbean Dialysis Inc. in St. Michael, Barbados, this outstanding Guyanese over the years offered dialysis treatment to much of the north eastern Caribbean and even made his expertise available in the formation of the Five G Dialysis Centre in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
Professor Nicholson also offered his service locally on a regular basis although he resided in Christ Church, Barbados.

Added to this, his interest in arresting the challenge of renal failure was expanded to include the launch of Guyana’s first ever Kidney Foundation.
He played an integral role in the setting up of this facility which was designed to work closely with the Ministry of Public Health and other stakeholders in addressing renal failure. The use of education to foster awareness, Professor Nicholson had disclosed, is seen as the primary means of combating the health problem. He had long envisioned that through this innovative initiative there will be major emphasis on measures to aid prevention of the disease altogether.

In expressing his condolences on behalf of the UWI, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, reflected on Professor Nicholson’s relationship with the regional institution.

“George was a good friend for many decades, and stalwart of the UWI. He served on many inter-campus committees, and was critical in establishing working relationships between the medical faculty at Cave Hill, Mona and St. Augustine. He was a respected regionalist who believed in the ‘One UWI’ and wanted to serve no other configuration”.

Professor Nicolson served as former Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences (then called the School of Clinical Medicine and Research) during the period 1992 to 1996. As a consultant physician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in 1979, he established and developed the first renal clinic and served as Director of the Haemodialysis Unit.

He played a major role in the first living related donor transplant in the English-speaking Caribbean—treating the patient with dialysis until that patient was ready for transplant and putting together the team of surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists charged with the actual operation. He went on to become a founding member of the Barbados Kidney Association and a founding member of the Caribbean Association of Urologists and Nephrologists.

Even while he endured a long battle with cancer, Professor Nicholson continued his close association with the Faculty of Medical Sciences through his supervision of the MRCP (UK) Examinations, as Chief Invigilator for the Barbados site, until the time of his passing. Professor Nicholson was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to clinical practice and service in the area of Nephrology during the 50th Anniversary celebrations held by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in 2015.

In her personal tribute, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Cave Hill Campus, Professor Eudine Barriteau noted Professor Nicholson’s service to the University in many capacities and underscored that in all dimensions, he distinguished himself through his scholarship and dedication.

The UWI extends deepest condolences to his wife, family and friends, and appreciation for the life of an outstanding Caribbean citizen.

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