Vice President, Medicine, Quality, Research and Chief Medical Officer
As Vice President of Medicine, Quality, Research and 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 Operations South Island (SI) and VP of Clinical Operations Central and North Island (CI & NI). The VP of Medicine, Quality, Research and Chief Medical Officer is also responsible for the Medical Affairs portfolio and has joint accountability for the Quality and Safety portfolio with the VP Quality, Research and Chief Nursing and Allied Health Officer.
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, Research and Chief Medical Officer 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
anne.cooke@islandhealth.ca