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The University of North Texas System Board of Regents has announced the appointment of Michael Williams, DO, MD, as Interim President of the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

A Fort Worth native, Dr. Williams has served on the UNT System Board of Regents for the past 15 months and has been CEO of Hill Country Memorial Hospital in Fredericksburg, Texas, since 2008.  Under his leadership the hospital has received numerous awards for quality, including being named 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 healthcare.

Dr. Williams earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan University, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of North Texas Health Science Center, a Medical Degree from Ross University, a Master of Business Administration from Duke University, and a master’s degree in Health Care Management from Harvard University.

“I am pleased and honored to be able to return to my home town and lead the Health Science Center in this capacity,” said Dr. Williams. “We have a number of opportunities to further elevate our national profile, academic quality, breadth of programs and cooperation with other healthcare providers. ”

Dr. Williams, 58, is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in anesthesiology and critical care medicine, and he is a member of the Texas Medical Association, Texas Hospital Association, Texas Osteopathic Medical 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.

“The Board is confident that Dr. Williams will serve as a successful and stabilizing force in moving this institution forward,” said Jack Wall, board chairman. “He brings remarkable academic, clinical and executive leadership experience to this role. His communication skills, first-hand knowledge in fostering a network of high-quality primary care services, proven abilities in financial management, and perspectives of both M.D. and D.O. medical training will be valuable assets for this institution.”

Today’s announcement follows the Board’s earlier action in terminating the employment contract of Dr. Scott Ransom. Dr. Ransom had served as president of the UNTHSC since 2006. The Board will conduct an evaluation and search process prior to naming a new president.

Mr. Wall noted the system remains focused on gaining an MD program as part of the HSC’s comprehensive degree offerings in Osteopathic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health and Health Professions, and pending launch of the College of Pharmacy.

“The pursuit and establishment of the MD program will further enhance our ability to deliver quality health care, conduct ground-breaking research and provide broad-based education and training to future physicians,” said Wall.

As one of the nation’s distinguished academic health science centers, dedicated to education, research, patient care and service, the UNT Health Science Center began when the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine accepted its first students in 1970. With the establishment of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in 1993, the name was changed to the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. In 1999, UNTHSC joined UNT’s Denton and Dallas campuses to form the UNT System.

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