Biography
Dr. Nir is an HPB surgeon, and a Professor of surgery in New Mexico School of Medicine. A graduate of Ben Gurion University School of Medicine in Israel, he completed his general surgery training at Hadassah University hospital in Jerusalem. An alumnus of The Recanati / Miller Transplantation Institute of Mt Sinai, NY, he practiced abdominal organ transplantation surgery for 5 years, before his second fellowship in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY. Upon graduation in 2010, he was then recruited to UNM by the department of surgery. He currently serve as the division chief of HPB surgery.
Personal Statement
I am a surgical oncologist and the Division Chief of Hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) surgery in the Department of Surgery at UNM. I practiced abdominal organ transplantation surgery for five years and decided to retrain in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY. Upon graduation, I was recruited to The University of New Mexico, my professional home since.
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 ailments 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 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 2021, the recognition of our achievements in the three principal academic pillars — clinical, research, and education — led to the promotion of the section to a new division in the Department of Surgery.
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 surgical 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: Ben Gurion University School of Medicine, Beer Sheva, Israel (1995)
Internship: General Surgery, Soroka Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel (1996)
Residency: Hadassah Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel (2005)
Fellowship: Abdominal Organ Transplantation Surgery, Mt. Sinai, New York (2003) | Surgical Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York (2010)
Certifications
General Surgery
Achievements & Awards
Elise P. Barry Endowed Professor for HPB and Oncology Surgery
Gender
Male
Languages
- English
- Hebrew
- Arabic