On Sept. 20, the U of M announced a $5 million gift from Dr. Gerald and Reesa Niznick in support of a new state-of-the-art dental clinic.

Michael Benarroch, U of M president and vice-chancellor, stated that “throughout Dr. Gerald Niznick’s years of pioneering work in dental research and patient care, he has always demonstrated his belief that the future of health care depends on well-educated, well-rounded and highly skilled professionals, which, as an alum, he knows U of M provides.”

Benarroch continued, “we are incredibly thankful to Dr. Gerald and Reesa Niznick for this generous gift in support of a new dental clinic, which will create the learning and training space that our students need.”

In a media release, Dr. Niznick stated, “Reesa and I are pleased to support the construction of this beautiful five-storey building. 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.”

The dental clinic is a 33,770 square-foot facility at Dr. Gerald and Niznick Centre on U of M’s Bannatyne campus, and it will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

“We are grateful to the Niznicks for their long history of support that has enabled us to innovate, adapt and optimize our operations to better meet the evolving needs of our community,” said Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, dean of the Dr. Gerald Niznick college of dentistry.

In addition to the state-of-the-art dental clinic, the Dr. Gerald and Reesa Niznick Centre will include Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, a child-care facility, new classrooms and laboratory space for U of M’s college of medicine.