Williams named interim chair of the Department of Family Medicine

The WVU School of Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine has named Dorian Williams, M.D., as its new interim chair, effective May 1, 2021.

“It is such an exciting opportunity to further serve the wonderful Department I grew up in. My main goal is to support the faculty, residents and staff smoothly through this transition,” Dr. Williams said. “We have an excellent team to continue high quality education, share knowledge and of course serve as role models for innovative compassionate clinical care.” 

Williams currently serves as the assistant dean for Simulation and Technology in Medical Education and is a professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Medical Education.

He is the medical director of STEPS and the director of Student Programs in the Department of Family Medicine.

Williams has more than 25 years’ experience in curriculum development, having successfully led the creation of the current core medical school courses in physical diagnosis, as well as the required clinical skills assessments required to advance in and graduate from the School of Medicine.

“Family Medicine plays such an important role in the state of West Virginia and with the healthcare team,” said Clay Marsh, M.D., vice president and executive dean for Health Sciences. “Dr. Williams' innovative approach to simulation training, dedication to bettering the field and respect among his peers positions him as the ideal candidate to lead this team.”

He is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

Williams has won numerous teaching awards including the WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching, the highest recognition for teaching at West Virginia University. He has garnered more than 2.7 million dollars in federal grant funding for educational program development and has been the Principal Investigator in over 800 clinical trials.

He fills the position vacated by Dana King, M.D., who has served as the department’s chair since 2012.

A search for a permanent Chair for the role is ongoing.

For more information on the Department of Family Medicine, visit medicine.hsc.wvu.edu.