Meet Dr. Williams
Michael Williams, DO, MD, MBA
Interim President of the UNT Health Science Center
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 1981
Teamwork, servant leadership inspire Dr. Michael Williams
Dr. Michael Williams couldn’t be happier to be back in Fort Worth. From grade school and college through medical school, it’s where he spent his formative years as a fourth-generation native of Tarrant County.
“Growing up in Fort Worth instills you with certain values. I believe we lead by example,” Dr. Williams says, “with integrity and humility above all else.”
Today, as Interim President of the UNT Health Science Center (UNTHSC), Dr. Williams says he is grateful for the opportunity to be back at his alma mater to serve students, employees, patients, alumni and the people of Fort Worth. As a graduate of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) in the class of ’81, he’s particularly excited about the inclusive, collaborative approach to health care education and research that permeates all five schools at UNTHSC and at UNT Health, one of the area’s largest multi-specialty group practices.
“Teamwork is key to solving today’s health care challenges,” he says. “Health care reform experts have identified primary care as essential to addressing current and future patient needs. At UNTHSC, we have the highest percentage of medical students in Texas entering primary care -- 65.8 percent -- and the second-highest percentage among ranked medical schools in the country. We’re definitely on the right track, because our five schools offer integrated health profession training programs that are essential to meeting tomorrow’s primary care needs as well as today’s.”
Prior to taking the reins at UNTHSC, Dr. Williams served five years as CEO of Hill Country Memorial (HCM) Hospital in Fredericksburg, Texas, where he served previously in a private anesthesiology medical practice.
Employing a teamwork philosophy of leadership, HCM gained an outstanding reputation for quality and won numerous awards, including recognition as one of the “Nation's 100 Top Hospitals®” by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of health care.
He also worked in private practice in Dallas before moving his family to the Texas hill country. Appointed by Governor Perry in 2011 to the UNT System Board of Regents, he resigned the position in December 2012 to accept the appointment as Interim President of UNTHSC.
“Coming back to my hometown and to my alma mater has special meaning for me,” he concludes. “This is very much a time of fresh beginnings. We have a number of opportunities to further elevate our national profile, academic quality, breadth of programs and cooperation with other health care providers. I’m eager to work closely with everyone on campus, our alumni and our community, and to let them know that there’s no more enthusiastic advocate for this institution than me. I look forward to putting those words into action.”
Education and certifications
Dr. Williams attended then-Tarrant County Junior College and earned his bachelor's degree from Texas Wesleyan University; a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO) from the University of North Texas Health Science Center; a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Ross University; a Master of Business Administration from Duke University, and a Master's degree in Health Care Management from Harvard University.
Dr. Williams is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in anesthesiology and critical care medicine, and is a member of the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association; Texas Medical Association; Texas Hospital Association; American College of Physician Executives; American College of Health Care Executives, and is a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. He is also past vice president of the Fredericksburg Independent School District Board of Trustees.
