Eric Nickerson DVM
Education
- Emergency Training (rotating internship), Purdue University
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
- Bachelor of Ecology and Animal Behavior, University of California, San Diego, CA
Best Part of My Job:
Collaborating with brilliant people. I like to take a holistic approach to medicine, looking at the entire body rather than just one area. This enables me to deliver the best outcomes for my clients. I’m fortunate to work in an environment where we practice top-of-the-line medicine and I am able to collaborate with exceptional people across all our various departments at Rise.
Special Talent:
Medicine is a puzzle and I love puzzles. I enjoy and excel in treating endocrine emergencies, such as Addisonian crises, because there are so many regulatory pathways that make these diseases really interesting to manage. I also have extra training and special interest in diagnosing and managing cardiac emergencies.
Cool Research I’ve Done:
I spent a year investigating the effects of hypoxia on gene expression and regulation in the brainstems of mice. I also completed research investigating the heritability of Sub valvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS) in Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands and Rottweilers.
Proud Moment:
While at UC Davis, I received the national Dr. Jack Walther Leadership Award and represented my school at the national level.
One Thing People May Not Know About Me:
Prior to pursuing my veterinary education, my dog Pebbles was diagnosed with a heart murmur when I adopted her. This spearheaded my interest in veterinary cardiology. She was diagnosed with mild SAS which led me to researching the disease further at the Stern Translation Cardiac Genetics and Pharmacogenomics Laboratory at UC Davis during veterinary school. She’s now 14 years old and doing well. I credit her with helping me find a career I really love.
What You’ll Find Me Doing in My Free Time:
I try to balance the fast pace of the ER by doing artistic things in my free time. I worked in professional theatre for 7 years prior to veterinary school, including at the Tony Award winning La Jolla Playhouse. I love going to the Segerstrom Center of the Arts to see performances. I also enjoy traveling, and hiking with my dogs Layla and Pebbles.