Since completing residency, I’ve been a member of a fully democratic group. I have also been the medical director for a department that has grown from eight to 34 beds in a single hospital system with three clinical campuses and a combined census of more than 170,000 patients. The integration of a cardiac cath lab, stroke center certification, and the country’s largest OB center has provided me with leadership opportunities that have enhanced my clinical and administrative expertise. Even with these responsibilities, two-thirds of my time is still spent caring for patients. These experiences allow me to remain a practicing emergency physician and to collaborate with other services to help the emergency department grow and evolve—just as I would do for the College if elected to the Board of Directors.

Improving diversity within our specialty and the House of Medicine is an opportunity and priority for our College—and it starts with our leadership. I’m a member of the generation that has been raised by the College—from medical school to EMRA to state and national service. I represent democratic groups and independent practice. I am an ardent advocate of member involvement and leadership at every level. I am committed to defending the practice and promoting the evolution of emergency medicine.

James M. Williams, DO, MS, FACEP (Texas)

Current Professional Positions: attending emergency medicine physician and member of the Physician Quality Review Board, Covenant Medical Center, Lubbock, Texas; clinical assistant professor, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock; attending emergency medicine physician, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake, Dallas; advisor, clinical and player development, United States Lacrosse Association
Internships and Residency: general surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio
Medical Degree: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (1991)

Candidate Question Response: First, I would like to thank the ACEP Council for the honor of being a candidate for the Board of Directors. Though I know most of the councillors, let me make a few introductory comments for those who may not know me. I’m a husband and a father of three sons: My oldest is attending Colgate University in New York, my middle son will attend Tufts University in Boston, and my youngest is starting eighth grade. If you’ve seen my postings on the Physician Wellness Facebook page, you know how important wellness is to me. I appreciate how Jay Kaplan and K Kay Moody have highlighted this critical issue that all of us face.