Mary Beth Williams, R.N. M.N.
Vice President of Clinical Operations
Mary Beth Williams has devoted her career to improving health care outcomes for people regardless of income, social status, ethnicity or gender.
Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Williams’ parents instilled in her the belief that excellence cannot be achieved without effort. She has carried that principle throughout an impressive career that has included working at some of the most prestigious academic medical centers in the nation.
In 2008, Williams brought her vision for providing patient-focused/family-centered health care and a commitment to excellence and team to Access Community Health Network (ACCESS).
“I see a natural alignment between the work done in academic medical centers and the work we do at ACCESS,†Williams said. “I believe our success is contingent on combining innovation with evidence-based metrics that are carried out in an environment of partnership and team work where every person strives towards excellence.â€
Williams began her health care career as a pediatric nurse. It was during this time her philosophy of delivering patient-focused/family-centered care evolved and became a driving force in her career.
She decided to move into administrative health care in order to bring about lasting change that would direct the focus of health care on patients and families. As an administrator, Williams directed all aspects of cardiac nursing and patient care services at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; she was responsible for development innovative pediatric programs and served as a key member in the planning and design of the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital, and she led the palliative care and hospice programs at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
In addition, Williams received the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award in 1999 and 2004. She has also served on the Loyola University Center for Spiritual Leadership in Healthcare Advisory Board since 2003, and the Nursing Spectrum Advisory Board since 2002.