In Memoriam: Dr. Ole Nielsen
Born in Alberta, Nielsen received his DVM from the OVC in 1956. He returned to Alberta to practice rural veterinary medicine and subsequently earned a PhD in veterinary pathology in 1963 at the University of Minnesota. He joined the University of Saskatchewan as an associate professor of veterinary pathology in 1964 and was closely involved in the design of the newly formed Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in 1968. At WCVM, he became Head of the Department of Pathology and served as Dean from 1974-1982. Nielsen was instrumental in the establishment of the Prairie Swine Centre, the Toxicology Centre and the Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization (now known as the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization).
Nielsen returned to the OVC and served as Dean from 1985-1994. During his time at OVC, he established the Department of Population Medicine and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Additionally, he initiated OVC Pet Trust, and secured funding for the Stewart Building, which housed part of the large animal hospital and offices and laboratories for the Departments of Population Medicine and Clinical Studies. He also set in motion the funding and construction of the OVC Lifetime Learning Centre, which contained significant new teaching facilities and central amenities that contribute to an important sense of community within the college.
Often referred to as the “Green Dean”, Nielsen’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of students, veterinarians, and researchers. He was a key leader in the establishment of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative and the development of teaching and research in integrated, community-based approaches to human, animal and ecosystem health from which One Health at the University of Guelph has emerged.
After his time at OVC, he served as president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and was Chair of the Alberta Veterinary Medicine Steering Committee that led to the creation of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary in 2005.
Nielsen received the Order of the University of Calgary, professor emeritus from the University of Guelph, and was appointed the Order of Canada in 2016 for his contributions to Canadian veterinary medicine.
On behalf of the Ontario Veterinary College, I extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Nielsen’s family, friends, and colleagues. We will remember him for his dedication and remarkable contributions to the OVC and to the field of veterinary medicine in Canada.
