Professional Affiliation

President and CEO, Southlake Regional Heath Centre

Expert Bio

Canadian astronaut and physician Dr. Dave Williams is the President and CEO of Southlake Regional Heath Centre and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining Southlake, Williams was the Director of the McMaster Centre for Medical Robotics at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Professor in the Department of Surgery of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine from 2008 to 2011, and held the position of Chief Medical Officer of Quality and Safety at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton from 2010 to 2011.

In 1976, Williams graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science. He obtained a Master of Science from the Physiology Department, a Doctorate of Medicine and a Master of Surgery from the Faculty of Medicine, McGill University. Between 2004 and 2009, he was awarded Honorary degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, McGill University, Queen’s University, and the University of Wales (United Kingdom).

Williams joined the Canadian Space Agency in 1992 and made two flights on the Space Shuttle, in 1998 and 2007. In addition to his role as astronaut, Williams held the position of Director of the Space and Life Sciences Directorate at the JSC in Houston, Texas, and a concurrent appointment as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Crew Health and Safety, Office of Spaceflight, NASA HQ, Washington, DC.

Williams brings to his role at Southlake an innovative and unique perspective on how to improve the overall patient experience.