Hey people.. If you’ve been keeping up with me throughout my process, then this story will mean something to you. In September, my cancer had not reacted to the chemotherapy the way it was anticipated by my oncologist, Dr. Shertz. Dr. Shertz then consulted the University of Indiana and was under the direct order of Dr. Stephen Williams. Amanda and I flew to Indianapolis to the Indiana University to meet with Dr. Williams. When I met this man, he was an AWESOME oncologist. I thought the world of him the moment I met him, because he was so down to Earth and so respectful to Amanda and me. We all poked fun at him for wearing a pink shirt. led Dr. Shertz through my entire cancer battle up until my last surgery. Amanda had called Dr. Williams at IU while Dr. Shertz was on vacation. The receptionist told Amanda that Dr. Williams was out on medical leave indefinately. We then started dealing with Dr. Haan at IU.
Today, my heart is broken as I am very sad to inform you all, that Dr. Williams has passed away of cancer. Here is the storey from Indiana University website. Please read as we all thought the world of this man.
Stephen Douglass Williams, M.D., 62, a research physician who became the founding director of the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center in 1992, died of cancer — the very disease to which he dedicated his career — on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009.
When presented with Indiana University’s highest faculty honor, the President’s Medal for Excellence, at the August 2008 dedication of the expanded IU Simon Cancer Center, Dr. Williams reflected upon his own rigorous cancer treatment and pledged to redouble the center’s research efforts in cancer prevention.
Patients and colleagues appreciated Dr. Williams as an approachable, encouraging and effective leader. His determination to create a world-class cancer research enterprise was bolstered by his sincere commitment to patients. Dr. Williams promoted the center’s science-to-solution agenda — commonly referred to as translational research — throughout his tenure. He would shake his head, chuckling and marveling at the intellect of cancer center scientists and the power of their research to cure patients. He was brilliant, but humble, and always optimistic.
Dr. Williams’ commitment to his professional life was exceeded only by his devotion to his family. He took immense pleasure in planning menus and cooking with his wife, Kay, and their children, Thomas and Caroline. He could just as easily be found with Kay at the Zionsville Farmers’ Market on a Saturday morning as with Thomas enjoying Carburetion Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or a Sunday Indianapolis Colts game. Until recently, the regular Thursday night routine at the Williams’ home included Dr. Williams presiding over carry-out Chinese dinners with Caroline and an ever-expanding group of friends. Dr. Williams was also an ardent sports fan. On the occasion of his impending treatments for cancer, he was grateful for beautiful weather that allowed him afternoons of golf.
In addition to directing the IU Simon Cancer Center, Dr. Williams served as the HH Gregg Senior Chair in Oncology and Associate Dean of Cancer Research at the IU School of Medicine. He was born in Shelbyville and grew up in Bedford, the only child of newspaper publisher Robert and Gladys Williams, both of whom preceded him in death. He was a graduate of DePauw University and entered the IU School of Medicine in 1967. He then completed a medical residency and internship at IU (l97l-72 and 1975-76) before completing his IU medical oncology fellowship (1976-78). In 1978, Dr. Williams became a faculty member of the IU School of Medicine and was the first appointed oncologist at the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Dr. Williams earned national recognition as a physician researcher for his role in investigating the successful use of chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian and testicular germ cell tumors. He was consistently ranked nationally among cancer care specialists in America’s Top Doctors for Cancer. During his tenure, the cancer center was consistently ranked among the top clinical programs in the country in U.S. News & World Report. Family, friends and colleagues joined with Dr. Williams on Jan. 12 to celebrate his Sagamore of the Wabash awarded by Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Dr. Williams authored and co-authored 158 scientific, peer-reviewed publications, 95 abstracts and 42 textbook chapters on the diagnosis and treatment of genitourinary tumors. He served in numerous leadership roles with the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Gynecologic Oncology Group and on a grant review committee of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
The remarkable progress made during Dr. Williams’ leadership came to light during the IU Simon Cancer Center’s 2008 NCI grant renewal process: In 1994, the center’s extramural research funding totaled $16 million; today it is over $75 million. The number of scientific members of the cancer center has doubled; more than 220 investigators now focus on the scientific discovery and translation of basic, clinical and population science into new prevention, diagnostic and treatment modalities. In 1994, 2,000 new patients visited the IU Cancer Center; today, more than 3,400 new patients visit the center each year. Moreover, a $50 million naming gift from Melvin and Bren Simon in 2006 signified a “coming of age” for the cancer program that Dr. Williams had been charged with building and directing.
Dr. Williams is survived by his wife Kathryn and their children Thomas and Caroline. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and patients.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the IU Foundation/Stephen D. Williams Director’s Endowment Fund and mailed to IU Simon Cancer Center, P.O. Box 660245, Indianapolis, IN 46266-0245.
Source: http://www.indystar.com/article/20090216/NEWS/902160390
