KU announces 2 new leaders at Watkins Health Services

LAWRENCE — KU Student Affairs and the University of Kansas Health System have announced two new leaders for Watkins Health Services. In a dyad leadership model, Ellen Herman serves as the administrative director, and Dr. Graig Nickel has been named medical director.

Ellen Herman joined Watkins Health Services as administrative director in March 2021. Herman brings 32 years of health care experience, including serving as the director of clinic operations for The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus and director of the Internal Medicine Group for Lawrence Memorial Health. Herman brings substantial experience in the areas of quality, patient safety, customer service, information technology and continuum of care transitions.

Dr. Graig Nickel, medical director, is a board-certified family medicine physician who has practiced in Lawrence for the past nine years. A lifelong Kansan, he graduated from KU's School of Medicine in 1999. Nickel practiced medicine for 10 years in Lindsborg before returning to Lawrence. He joined Watkins Health Services in 2012 as a staff physician. Nickel is an active member of the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians and currently serves as a district director.