Queen's professor surprised, humbled by Order of Canada appointment

Dr. J Curtis Nickel was recognized for his work in urology.

A Kingston urologist was both elated and surprised after he was announced as an officer to the Order of Canada.

Dr. J Curtis Nickel is a professor emeritus at Queen's University. He is a past president of the Canadian Urological Association, written over 625 publications, has been on the editorial board or editor of 12 Urology journals.

Nickel's research in urology has garnered him many accolades including the Distinguished Contribution Award (2008) and Lattimer Medal (2020) from the American Urological Association. Now he can add the Order of Canada to his resume.

Nickel says its an honour to be part of a well-established group. 

At the same, he says it was something he wasn't expecting adding he is quite humbled to be given this distinction.

Nickel is being recognized for decades of work in the area of urology. That is the part of the body that revolves around the urinary tract including genitals, kidneys, prostate, and bladder.

Nickel says it is not only the doctors and staff who he has worked with over the years that allowed him to receive the Order of Canada, but also the patients.

Nickel says urology goes beyond people who experience problems going to the bathroom.

He says there are a number of conditions that some people have that are not often talked about.

Queen's has turned out a number of people who were later appointed to the Order.

Nickel says one of them was his former professor.

Nickel along with fellow Queen's professor Praveen Jain were named as Officers of the Order on New Year's Eve. A total of 80 people were named to the Order of Canada.

Story by Ken Hashizume