University of Manitoba officials flashed their pearly whites Friday as they announced a $5-million gift in support of a new dental clinic. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * University of Manitoba officials flashed their pearly whites Friday as they announced a $5-million gift in support of a new dental clinic. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? University of Manitoba officials flashed their pearly whites Friday as they announced a $5-million gift in support of a new dental clinic.
Donors Gerald and Reesa Niznick were at the university’s Bannatyne campus for the announcement. Although Los Angeles has been the couple’s home for more than 50 years, they were born and raised in Canada. Gerald Niznick graduated from the U of M’s dentistry program in 1966.
“You can take Niznick out of Winnipeg, but you can’t take Winnipeg out of Niznick,” Gerald said. “The educational investment (from the U of M) has brought us a wonderful life. We so appreciate it and we want to give back.
” MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Gerald and Reesa Niznick’s latest donation will support a new dental clinic, which will be housed in the new Dr. Gerald and Reesa Niznick Centre on the U of M’s Bannatyne campus. It’s not the Niznicks’ first brush with philanthropy.
In 2018, they gave teeth to their support of the U of M when they made a $7.5-million gift to its college of dentistry — the largest donation in the college’s history. The university subsequently renamed it the Dr.
Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry. The couple’s latest donation will support a new dental clinic, which will be housed in the new Dr. Gerald and Reesa Niznick Centre on the U of M’s Bannatyne campus.
University officials say the state-of-the-art, 33,770-square-foot hub will help the college set a new standard in dental education and oral health care in the community. The centre will benefit multiple colleges within the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, as well as the broader community. In addition to the new clinic, the centre will include the Ongomiizwin-Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, new classrooms with laboratory space for the university’s medical school and a child-care centre.
“Reesa and I are pleased to support the construction of this beautiful five-storey building,” Gerald said. “It will provide medical students with lecture facilities for an enhanced learning environment and dental students with state-of-the-art clinics for training on the full scope of patient care, utilizing the latest technologies.” During his remarks, university president Michael Benarroch noted the impact the gift will have.
“You’ve twice given transformational gifts to the university,” he told the Niznicks. “Twice you have given not just to this university but through us in order to change lives. You have shown remarkable generosity, compassion and vision to partner with us, building a better Manitoba.
” After earning a master’s degree in prosthodontics at Indiana University in the late 1960s, Gerald Niznick launched a career that has seen him start three businesses. From 1982 to 2012, he was issued 33 U.S.
patents for products and designs. He has been called “the godfather of American implant dentistry.” His research has significantly advanced dental knowledge and made implant dentistry more affordable for patients and doctors.
Now, at 83, he is getting ready to launch a new implant system covered by four new patents. “Living into one’s 80s in good health is certainly fortunate,” he said. “But to do it and still be able to make a contribution to society — whether it be in new and better products that will restore function and aesthetics for patients or supporting state-of-the-art facilities for the training of young dentists — is truly a blessing.
” MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Gerald and Reesa Niznick at the site of the U of M dental clinic/education centre under construction in Winnipeg that will bear their names. During her remarks, college of dentistry dean Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis described Niznick as “an innovator, a pioneer and a market disruptor.” She also noted “his humanity, his love and recognition of the importance of family, wicked sense of humour and desire to give back to the community.
” “Gerry and Reesa are the epitome of a dynamic duo,” Kelekis-Cholakis said, noting the important role Reesa plays in the couple’s philanthropy. “Reesa’s ability to engage people (and) her kindness truly set her apart.” As a token of gratitude, the university presented the Niznicks with a laser-etched acrylic artwork depicting the Dr.
Gerald and Reesa Niznick Centre. Monday mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. “This gift represents the far-reaching impact of your contribution, reflecting the appreciation felt across all corners of our campus,” said Peter Nickerson, dean of medicine.
“It symbolizes not just the transformation of our facilities but also the inspiration you bring to our entire university community.” Born to immigrant parents in Prince Albert, Sask., Gerald moved to Winnipeg’s North End when he was in high school.
He married Reesa, who grew up in the North End, just before the start of his third year of dental school. The Niznicks have two daughters and six grandchildren, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last month. The couple returns to Winnipeg annually for the U of M’s homecoming celebration.
“We had a lot of family and friends here, but other than my sister-in-law, Elaine, we’re out of family,” Gerald said. “So the University of Manitoba is our family and we’re going to keep coming back every year.” aaron.
[email protected] Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press.
After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. .
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Thank you for your support. Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024.
He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism.
If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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