PNA Spotlight: Dr. Brian Williams

 

This month the PNA Spotlight focuses on Dr. Brian Williams, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, KY. He started his education with a B.A. in Biology from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. He earned his M.D. at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. He then completed in internship in surgery and a residency in neurosurgery at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. He then progressed to a fellowship in skull base and cerebrovascular surgery at Auckland City Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand; and a third fellowship in neurological oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Dr. Williams answered a series of questions from PNA editors. His responses follow.

 What inspired you to choose your career path?

I chose my career path because I enjoyed taking care of people and found this to be particularly satisfying in my life in general. I was able to shadow an orthopedic surgeon during college and was extremely impressed with the trusting relationships he developed with his patients.

What is the primary focus of your work/research?

My primary focus is understanding and improving the fundamental drivers of clinical outcomes related to pituitary and skull base surgery.

What do you consider to be the future of your field?

I believe the future of neurosurgery involves targeted molecular medicine or the concept of developing medical treatment for diseases that currently require surgery.

What should patients know about your field/what deserves more recognition/awareness?

Neurosurgery is a young field in comparison to other fields in medicine. We are just touching the surface of what we understand about the function of the brain and other organs we treat. I believe that the most exciting time to be a part of this field is ahead of us, and I am excited to contribute to that growth.

What would you like to convey about yourself to your patients?

I am only one part of a larger multidisciplinary team that focuses on pituitary and skull base disorders. Using a team approach we adapt principles of pituitary disorder management to each specific patient. Customizing patient care is focused on the patient’s unique biology and personal goals.

Why did you get involved with the PNA and what is the extent of your involvement?

I am a member of the PNA to help support patients in my region and around country suffering from pituitary disorders. My goal is to become a resource to help educate patients about the options for managing their diseases and learn from each person I meet.