As Vice President of Medicine, Quality, Research & Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Williams is responsible for the leadership and governance of Island Health’s medical staff.
He is also accountable for medicine and quality-related processes governing the delivery of health care provided to patients throughout Island Health. Dr. Williams oversees executive medical directors who work in formal partnerships with non-medical staff reporting to the VP of Clinical Service Delivery and VP Priority Populations and Initiatives. The VP of Medicine, Quality, Research & Chief Medical Officer is also responsible for the Quality and Safety portfolio and Medical Affairs portfolio.
Dr. Williams works closely with the executive team to enhance integration, transparency and accountability of Island Health’s performance. This includes upholding Island Health’s vision and ensuring the team is able to deliver it. Dr. Williams also works to ensure medical staff are engaged and fosters relationships with the greater medical community.
Dr. Williams brings extensive leadership experience to the Vice President of Medicine, Quality and Academic Affairs role. Immediately prior to holding this position, Dr. Williams was the Executive Medical Director for Geography 2: Nanaimo, Oceanside, Alberni-Clayoquot; and Renal, Trauma and Cancer Strategy programs. He has also served as the Executive Lead for Strategy and Engagement in the Office of the President and CEO, and as the Executive Medical Lead for Nanaimo. Dr. Williams started his medical leadership journey as the Medical Director for Oceanside.
In his various leadership roles, Dr. Williams has established strong relationships with staff, medical staff, divisions of family practice, Indigenous groups, elected officials and the Ministry of Health. He has extensive experience in quality improvement, physician remuneration and contracts, program development, medical staff engagement, and transforming healthcare workplace culture.
Dr. Williams graduated from medical school at the University of British Columbia and completed a residency in family medicine at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. He has worked extensively throughout Island Health communities in both facility-based and primary health care, in both rural and urban settings. Dr. Williams’ current clinical practice focusses on urgent care and emergency medicine, as well as end-of-life care.
Prior to his medical career, Dr. Williams worked in leadership positions providing strategic policy and communications advice in the not-for-profit and government sectors.
CONTACT
To contact Ben, please connect with his assistant.
Anne Cooke
Executive Assistant
250-740-2695
Anne.Cooke@islandhealth.ca
More about Dr. Ben Williams
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New Interim VP of Medicine, Quality and Academic Affairs
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December 13, 2019
I am pleased to share that effective January 6, 2020, Dr. Ben Williams has agreed to take on the role of Interim Vice President – Medicine, Quality and Academic Affairs upon Dr. Jeremy Etherington’s retirement.
A strong connection between medical operations and governance is important in this role. The position also requires the ability to lead through challenging operational issues by working in partnership with diverse groups. In his current role, Ben has demonstrated these necessary attributes. Ben also has a passion for health-system improvement at the health authority and provincial level which he will be able to pursue further through this appointment. To read the full story, click here.
- New Geo 2 Executive Medical Director
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August 17, 2018
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Ben Williams has accepted the position of Executive Medical Director, Geography 2 (Nanaimo, Oceanside, Alberni-Clayoquot); Renal, Trauma, and Oncology Services.
Dr. Williams brings extensive leadership experience from inside and outside of Island Health. He was the Executive Lead for Strategy and Engagement in the Office of the President and CEO and, since January, Dr. Williams has been the Executive Medical Lead for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. He has also served as Acting Executive Medical Director for Geography 2 since May. To read the full story, click here.