Josie R. Williams, MD, MMM, CPE, of Bryan, makes it her goal to achieve the Texas Medical Association's mission of improving the health of all Texans. Her extensive background in patient safety, experience as a gastroenterologist and internal medicine specialist, and designation as a national expert on measuring quality of care make her one of organized medicine's strongest allies.
"Our state faces many health care challenges, from the high number of uninsured people to overall wellness concerns," said Dr. Williams. "TMA has to continue its leadership role in helping tackle those problems, to improve the health of all Texans."
Taking an active role in improving the quality of care has been a cornerstone of Dr. Williams' career in medicine. She was medical director of the Texas Health Quality Alliance from 1998 to 2001, and is a member of the National Patient Safety Foundation Board of Governors. She also is on the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association's Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement.
Dr. Williams has a long history of involvement with TMA. She's served on the Board of Trustees from 2001 until her selection as president-elect and has been a Texas Delegate to the American Medical Association since 1994. She's served on various TMA councils and committees, including the Council on Legislation (2000-01), the Council on Socioeconomics (1994-2000), the Texas Health Care Information Center Technical Advisory Committee (1997), the Special Technical Advisory Committee to the Governor's Task Force on Health Care Reform (1993-94), and the Quality Committee (1992-96).
Her path to the TMA presidency and her history in the medical field are marked by dedication to excellence and distinguished service as a nurse in the United States Air Force. After receiving a registered nursing degree from Sparks Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Fort Smith, Ark., in 1962, Dr. Williams was surgical ward nurse at USAF Hospital, Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. She went on to become chief nurse at Bergstrom AFB in Austin from 1969 to 1971. The Air Force awarded her a commendation medal for her work at Bergstrom. Dr. Williams went on to earn medical degree in 1975 from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Medical School.
Currently, Dr. Williams is assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine. She is director of the Rural and Community Health Institute and the Institute for Healthcare Evaluation at Texas A&M, where she specializes in quality and patient safety initiatives. Before being appointed director of the Rural and Community Health Institute, she directed the Quality and Patient Safety program at the Texas A&M Health Science Center.
Dr. Williams is the 143rd president of TMA.
List of TMA presidents since 1853
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