News
Leadership Transition on the Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison Service (PCLS)
Thursday, April 16, 2026
We are excited to share an important leadership transition for the Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison Service (PCLS). Dr. Mark Oldham will assume the role of Director of PCLS effective January 1, 2027, with a full transition into the role by February 1, 2027. Dr. Oldham is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and a nationally recognized leader in consultation-liaison psychiatry. Since joining URMC in 2017, he has advanced innovative models of care, including the development of the PRIME Medicine service, and has made significant contributions in delirium care, education, and research. His clinical, academic, and leadership experience position him exceptionally well to lead the continued growth and evolution of PCLS.
At the same time, we would like to extend sincere gratitude to Dr. Mark Nickels for his outstanding leadership and many years of service to our department and institution. Dr. Nickels has been a cornerstone of consultation-liaison psychiatry at URMC, with a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades. Since joining the URMC faculty in 1996, he has served as transplant psychiatrist for the Solid Organ Transplant programs since 1998 and for the Heart Failure/Transplant & VAD programs since 2000, and he currently serves as Director of Transplant Psychiatry. Over the past two years, he has also provided steady leadership as Director of PCLS.
In addition to his transplant psychiatry work, Dr. Nickels has contributed extensively across the system, including collaborations with primary care, bariatric surgery, Strong Memorial Hospital, Wilmot Cancer Center, Highland Family Medicine, and the Strong Epilepsy Center. His contributions across clinical care, education, and program development have had a lasting impact on our patients, trainees, and colleagues. As Dr. Nickels transitions out of the PCLS Director role, he will be retiring from his full-time position and will continue to contribute to our mission in a TAR role supporting the transplant service, a testament to his enduring commitment to patient care and the department.
Please join us in thanking Dr. Nickels for his remarkable service and in welcoming Dr. Oldham into this important leadership role.