Chad Nicholson, MD

Efficient in coronary artery interventions and renowned for exceptional leadership as Chief Fellow at Ascension Providence Hospital, I bring a proven track record of advancing patient care in Interventional Cardiology. My expertise spans advanced peripheral interventions to pulmonary embolism thrombectomy, underscored by a commitment to innovation and patient advocacy.

• Board Certified in Nuclear Cardiology
• Board Certified in Internal Medicine
• USMLE Step 3 - Pass (230)
• USMLE Step 2 CK - Pass (244)
• USMLE Step 2 CS - Pass
• USMLE Step 1 - Pass (236)

• 2021 Internal Medicine Resident of the Year
• 2010 Best of AHA Specialty Conferences Poster Award (Presenter)

"Downregulation of myoglobin may limit the cardioprotective effects of exercise by diminishing the nitrite reductase capacity of the heart."

• Nicholson CK, Zlatopolsky MA, Ciuro J, Reap L, Rader A, Brdak A, Marshall M, Williams M, Steigerwalt S. Unobserved Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement in a Predominantly African American Cohort: More Effort but Less Pressure. American College of Physicians Michigan Chapter; Oct 2019; Grand Rapids, MI.

• Nicholson CK, Stennett C, Markosyan-Karapetyan M, Capatina-Rata A. An Uncommon Case of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Linked to Vancomycin Therapy. American College of Physicians Michigan Chapter; Oct 2019; Grand Rapids, MI.

Nicholson CK and Calvert JW. 2010. Hydrogen Sulfide and Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Pharmacological Research, 62(4):289-297. PMID:20542117. Invited Review

1. Calvert JW, Elston M, Nicholson CK, Gundewar S, Jha S, Elrod JW,  Ramachandran A, Lefer DJ. 2010. Genetic and pharmacologic hydrogen sulfide therapy attenuates ischemia-induced heart failure in mice. Circulation 122(1):11-9. PMID:20566952

• Selected as one of the “Most Read Articles in Heart Failure”, Circulation 124:3469-e482, 2011

2. Calvert JW, Elston M, Aragon JP, Nicholson CK, Moody BF, Hood RL, Sindler A, Gundewar S, Seals DR, Barouch LA, Lefer DJ. 2011. Exercise Protects the Heart Against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Stimulation of β3-Adrenoreceptor Receptors and Increased Nitric Oxide Signaling: Role of Nitrite and Nitrosothiols. Circulation Research 108(12):1448-58. PMID:21527738.

• Editorial. Circulation Research 108(12):1414-1416, 2011.
• Selected as one of the “Ten Most Read Articles Published in Circulation Research in 2011”. Circulation Research 110:e24-e28, 2012.
• Selected as one of the “Circulation Research Most Read: 2010-2011”. Circulation Research 111:e338-e378, 2012.

3. Nicholson CK, Lambert JP, Molkentin JD, Sadoshima J, Calvert JW. 2013. Thioredoxin 1 is Essential for Sodium Sulfide-Mediated Cardioprotection in the Setting of Heart Failure. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 33(4):744-51. PMID:23349187

4. Kondo K, Bhushan S, King AL, Prabhu SD, Hamid T, Koenig S, Murohara T, Predmore BL, Gojon G, Gojon G, Wang R, Karusula N, Nicholson CK, Calvert JW, Lefer DJ. 2013. H2S Protects Against Pressure Overload Induced Heart Failure via Upregulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS). Circulation 127(10):1116-27. PMID:23393010

5. Peake BF, Nicholson CK, Lambert JP, Hood RL, Amin H, Amin S, Calvert JW. 2013. Hydrogen Sulfide Preconditions the db/db Diabetic Mouse Heart Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Activating Nrf2 Signaling in an Erk-Dependent Manner. American Journal of Physiology Heart and Circulatory Physiology 304(9)-H1215-H1224. PMID:23479260. PMCID:PMC3652093.

6. Nicholson CK, Lambert JP, Chow C, Lefer DJ, Calvert JW. 2013. Chronic Exercise Downregulates Myocardial Myoglobin and Attenuates Nitrite Reductase Capacity During Ischemia-Reperfusion. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 64:1-10. PMID: 23962643. PMCID:PMC3800246.

7. King AL, Polhemus DJ, Bhushan S, Otsuka H, Kondo K, Nicholson CK, Bradley JM, Islam KN, Calvert JW, Tao Y, Dugas TR, Kelley EE, Elrod JW, Huang PL, Wang R, Lefer DJ. 2014. Hydrogen sulfide cytoprotective signaling is endothelial nitric oxide synthase-nitric oxide dependent. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 111(8):3182-3185. PMID:24516168. PMCID:PMC3939925.

8. Bhushan S, Kondo K, Polhemus D, Nicholson CK, Tao Y, Huang H, Georgiopoulou VV, Murohara T, Calvert JW, Butler J, Lefer DJ. 2014. Nitrite therapy improves left ventricular function during heart failure via restoration of nitric oxide-mediated cytoprotective signaling. Circulation Research 114(8):1281-91. PMID:24599803.

9. Lambert JP, Nicholson CK, Amin H, Amin S, Calvert JW. 2014. Hydrogen Sulfide Provides Cardioprotection Against Myocardial/Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in the Diabetic State Through the Activation of the RISK Pathway. Medical Gas Research 4(1):20 doi: 10.1186/s13618-014-0020-0. PMID:25525500. PMCID:PMC4269946.

10. Barr LA, Shimizu Y, Lambert JP, Nicholson CK, Calvert JW. 2015. Hydrogen Sulfide Attenuates High Fat Diet-Induced Dysfunction via the Suppression of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress. Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry 46:145-156. PMID: 25575644. PMCID:PMC4361249.

11. Shimizu Y, Nicholson CK, Lambert JP, Barr LA, Kuek N, Herszenhaut D, Tan L, Murohara T, Hansen JM, Husain A, Naqvi N, Calvert JW. 2016. Sodium Sulfide Attenuates Ischemic-Induced Heart Failure by Enhancing Proteasomal Function in an Nrf2-Depenent Manner. Circulation-Heart Failure 9(4):e002368 doi: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.115.002368. PMID: 27056879.

12. Shimizu Y, Lambert JP, Nicholson CK, Kim JJ, Husain A, Naqvi N, Chin L, Lian L, Calvert JW. 2016. DJ-1 Protects the Heart Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Regulating Mitochondrial Fission. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 97:56-66 doi: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2016.04.008. PMID: 27108530.

13. Li M, Tejada T, Lambert JP, Nicholson CK, Yahiro E, Bradley EW, Graham RM, Calvert JW, Dell’Italia LJ, Husain A, Naqvi N. 2016. Angiotensin type 2-receptor (AT2R) activation induces hypotension in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease 6(3): 118-28. PMID: 27679746.

14. Shimizu Y, Polavarapu R, Eskla KL, Nicholson CK, Koczor CA, Wang R, Lewis W, Shiva S, Lefer DJ, Calvert JW. 2018. Hydrogen sulfide regulates cardiac mitochondrial biogenesis via the activation of AMPK. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 116:29-40. doi: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2018.01.011. PMID: 29408195.

15. Shimizu Y, Polavarapu R, Eskla KL, Pantner Y, Nicholson CK, Ishii M, Brunnhoelzl D, Mauria R, Husain A, Naqvi N, Murohara T, Calvert JW. 2018. Impact of Lymphangiogenesis on Cardiac Remodeling After Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury. Journal of the American Heart Association 7; 19. 10.1161/JAHA.118.009565. PMID: 30371303.

16. Shimizu Y, Nicholson CK, Polavarapu R, Pantner Y, Husain A, Naqvi N, Chin LS, Li L, Calvert JW. 2020. Role of DJ-1 in Modulating Glycative Stress in Heart Failure. Journal of the American Heart Association 9; 4. 10.1161/JAHA.119.014691. PMID: 32067589

Chad K. Nicholson, Juan Pablo Aragon, David Bennett Grinsfelder, Marah Elston, David J. Lefer, John W. Calvert. Downregulation of cardiac myoglobin may limit the cardioprotective effects of nitrite therapy following exercise. ACC Scientific Sessions 2010. Atlanta, GA. March 14th-16, 2010. JACC 55(10) Supplement A: A115, 2010.

Chad K. Nicholson, Juan Pablo Aragon, David J. Lefer, and John W. Calvert. Downregulation of myoglobin may limit the cardioprotective effects of exercise by diminishing the nitrite reductase capacity of the heart. Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2010 Scientific Sessions. Rancho Mirage, CA. July 19-22, 2010. Circulation Research

Chad K. Nicholson, Juan Pablo Aragon, Bridgette F Moody, Rebecca L Hood, David J Lefer, and John W Calvert. Inhibition of Calcineurin/NFAT Signaling Limits the Cardioprotective Effects of Exercise by Reducing the Nitrite Reductase Capacity of the Heart. AHA Scientific Sessions 2010. Chicago, IL. November 14-17, 2010. Circulation 122: A15852, 2010.

Rebecca L. Hood, Chad K. Nicholson, Bridgette F. Moody, Juan Pablo Aragón, David J. Lefer, and John W. Calvert. Disruption of NFAT signaling impairs the cardioprotective effects of exercise training by reducing the nitrite reductase capacity of the heart. Approaching the Clinic: Nitrite and Nitrate Pathophysiology and Therapy. Atlanta, GA. May 11-13, 2011. Nitric Oxide 24: S24, 2011.

Bridgette F. Moody, Chad K. Nicholson, Rebecca L. Hood, John W. Calvert. Increased Nuclear Localization of Fyn May Limit the Cardioprotective Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide by Interfering with Nrf2 Signaling. Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2011 Scientific Sessions. New Orleans, LA. July 18-21, 2011. Circulation Research 109(12 Supplement):AP282.

Bridgette F. Moody, Chad K. Nicholson, Rebecca L. Hood, John W. Calvert. Hydrogen Sulfide Preconditions the Diabetic Heart by Inactivating the Transcription Repressor Bach1 and Activating Nrf2 Signaling. AHA Scientifc Sessions 2011. Orlando, Fl. November 12 – 16, 2011. Circulation 124:A13513.

Bridgette F. Moody, Rebecca L. Hood, Chad K. Nicholson, and John W. Calvert. Genetic Deletion of DJ-1/Park7 Increases Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury. AHA Scientifc Sessions 2011. Orlando, Fl. November 12 – 16, 2011. Circulation 124:A16987. * Best Poster Award – Core 5.

Bridgette F. Moody, Rebecca L. Hood, Chad K. Nicholson, David J. Lefer, and John W. Calvert. Inhibition of Calcineurin/NFAT Signaling During Exercise Training Protects the Heart Against Myocardial-Ischemia Reperfusion Injury. AHA Scientifc Sessions 2011. Orlando, Fl. November 12 – 16, 2011. Circulation 124:A17316.

Chad K. Nicholson, Bridgette F. Moody, Rebecca L. Hood, Junichi Sadoshima, John W. Calvert. Thioredoxin-1 is Essential for Hydrogen Sulfide-Mediated Cardioprotection in the Setting of Ischemic-Induced Heart Failure. Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2012 Scientific Sessions. New Orleans, LA. July 23-26, 2012. Circulation Research 111:A96, 2012.

Jonathan Lambert, Chad K. Nicholson, John W. Calvert. Sodium Sulfide Therapy Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in the Type-2 Diabetic Heart via the Activation of Nrf2 Signaling. Second International Conference on H2S Biology and Medicine. Atlanta, GA. September 20 – 22, 2012. Nitric Oxide 27(Supplement 2):S28, 2012.

Chad K. Nicholson, Junichi Sadoshima, John W. Calvert. Sodium Sulfide Therapy Attenuates Heart Failure-Induced ASK1 Signaling in a Thioredoxin-Dependent Manner. Second International Conference on H2S Biology and Medicine. Atlanta, GA. September 20 – 22, 2012. Nitric Oxide 27(Supplement 2):S42, 2012.

Jonathan P Lambert, Chad K. Nicholson, Hena Amin, Sana Amin, John W Calvert. Sodium Sulfide Therapy Confers Cardioprotection in the Diabetic Heart by Activating AMP-Activated Protein Kinase. Circulation 126:A16962, 2012.

Chad K. Nicholson, Li Mo, Catherine Corey, David J Lefer, Sruti Shiva, John W Calvert. Hydrogen Sulfide Therapy Induces Mitochondrial Biogenesis in the Setting of Ischemic-Induced Heart Failure. Circulation 126:A16051, 2012.

Chad K. Nicholson, Jonathan P Lambert, Erika M Lopez Alfonzo, Jason M Hansen, John W Calvert. Sodium Sulfide Therapy Attenuates Cardiac Dysfunction in the Setting of Heart Failure in a Nrf2-Dependent Manner. Circulation 126:A16960, 2012.

Jonathan P Lambert, Chad K. Nicholson, and John W. Calvert. 2013. Deficiency of DJ-1 Leads to Increased Injury following Myocardial Ischemia by Enhancing Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress. Circulation Research 113:A333.

Shashi Bhushan, Kazuhisa Kondo, David Polhemus, Chad K. Nicholson, Ya-Xiong Tao, Hui Huang, Toyoaki Murohara, Vasiliki V Georgiopoulou, John W Calvert, Javed Butler, and David J Lefer. 2013. Sodium Nitrite Improves Left Ventricular Function During Heart Failure via Cytoprotective Signaling and Angiogenesis. Circulation 128:A16615.

Adrienne L King, Shashi Bushan, Kazushisa Kondo, Chad K. Nicholson, David Polhemus, John W Calvert, Tammy Dugas, Valeria Hebert, Rui Wang, and David J Lefer. 2013. Genetic Deficiency of the Hydrogen Sulfide H2S Enzyme, Cystathionine Gamma-lyase (CSE) Results in eNOS Uncoupling and Exacerbated Myocardial Injury: Evidence for Cross Talk Between NO and H2S Signaling. Circulation 128:A16631.

Jonathan P Lambert, Chad K Nicholson, and John W Calvert. 2013. Beta-3 Adrenergic Receptor Deficiency Reverses the Cardioprotective Effects of Exercise by Attenuating AMPK Phosphorylation and eNOS Coupling. Circulation 128:A17633. Oral Abstract Presentation.

Yuuki Shimizu, Chad K. Nicholson, Jonathan P. Lambert, Larry A. Barr, John W. Calvert. 2015. Hydrogen Sulfide Therapy Attenuates the Development of Heart Failure by Increasing the Activity of the Proteasome in a Nrf2-Dependent Manner. Nitric Oxide 47(2015): S25.