Dr. Nichols received his medical degree from the University of Maryland. He completed his surgery and orthopedic residence at Yale New Haven Hospital and served as a clinical instructor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Association for Arthritic Hip and Knee Society. Dr. Nichols is currently a surgical and design consultant for Zimmer Orthopedics, which is one of the largest implant manufacturers worldwide. He has lectured and instructed surgeons both nationally and internationally on minimally invasive joint replacement surgery, as well as the latest in joint replacement technology.

Dr. Nichols has lived in Vero Beach since 1984 after finishing his orthopedic training at Yale University. His wife, Lori, graduated from the University of Tennessee and also works in the medical profession. His son is completing his PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin. His daughter is finishing at Cornell University.

Dr. Nichols is a former collegiate tennis player who was ranked in the top 20 in the state of Florida. He currently is completing a marathon in every state and is hoping to finish this goal by the fall of 2006. He has completed five Boston Marathons and is striving now toward some Ultra distance races. He has competed successfully in most triathlons and has finished three Ironman triathlons, including the World Championships in Hawaii. Dr. Nichols leads a positive, healthy lifestyle and carries over his lifestyle in the treatment of his patients.