Conference Faculty

Richard S. Williams, MD, FACS

Dr. Williams serves as NASA's Chief Health and Medical Officer and is responsible for the oversight of all medical aspects of all national and international NASA missions involving humans. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, he is certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Preventive Medicine (Aerospace Medicine). He has extensive experience in the clinical practice of general surgery and aerospace medicine as well as in administrative medical management. He has held appointments as Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at Wright State University and Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Medical College of Virginia. During his 27 year Air Force career, Dr. Williams served in a wide variety of settings as a clinical practitioner and medical leader, including command of medical units in contingency deployments. His military decorations and civilian honors include the Bronze Star Medal, the John R. Tamisea Award, the NASA Space Flight Safety Award, and the Melbourne C. Boynton Award. Dr. Williams is also an active instrument-rated private pilot with over 3000 hours flying single and multi-engine aircraft.