Dr. John Williams Announces Transition


November 14, 2010

lab coat: The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.

Senior Vice Provost and Vice President for Health Affairs, Dr. John F. Williams, Jr., notified President Steven Knapp of his intention to begin a year-long sabbatical in January 2011. Dr. Williams has served at the George Washington University Medical Center (GWUMC) for more than 20 years and has been in his current role for the past 13 years. Dr. Williams will turn over the helm of the medical center to an acting leader while pursuing his sabbatical.

“Dr. Williams led the strategic effort fifteen years ago to separate the medical school, the hospital and the Medical Faculty Associates (MFA), insuring the financial stability of all three entities,” said President Steven Knapp. “He has presided over the extraordinary growth of the School of Public Health and Health Services and more recently oversaw the launching of George Washington’s newest school, the School of Nursing. We are all deeply indebted to Dr. Williams for his dedicated leadership of the Medical Center and his contributions both to the university and to the broader community here in the nation’s capital.”

Dr. Williams’ decision follows the completion of the first phase of the medical center review conducted by BDC Advisors. The review was conducted at the request of the Medical Center Committee of the Board of Trustees. The university is beginning the second phase of the review, in which faculty and other stakeholders will be engaged in planning for the Medical Center’s future structure, vision, and strategy; Dr Williams has determined that the process should proceed without his direct involvement.

“I am very proud of the accomplishments of the Medical Center during my tenure, both as dean and as vice president, and I believe now is the time to allow new leadership to guide the Medical Center during the next phase of its development,” said Dr. Williams.

Dr. Williams, an anesthesiologist and professor as well as a senior administrator, has been recognized globally with numerous awards and accolades during his time at George Washington. He has increased the research portfolio of the GWUMC as well as improved its academic standing. Under Dr. Williams’ leadership, the School of Public Health and Health Sciences was developed along with community outreach programs in the District of Columbia for AIDS and cancer patients. Dr. Williams also oversaw the establishment of the Richard and Lynn Cheney Cardiovascular Institute and the Katzen Research Center. Most recently he has led the university’s relief efforts in Haiti and is a recognized leader in the area of emergency preparedness and helped establish the Homeland Security Policy Institute.

“Dr. Williams’ life work has been serving patients, students, and the George Washington community, but his reach is felt outside the physical boundary of our campus to the District of Columbia and indeed the world,” said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Steven Lerman.