Facility Affiliations
Dr. Jeffrey Lawrence Williams' Credentials
Accepting New Patients
Yes, this doctor is accepting new patients
Biography
Getting to Know: Dr. Jeffrey L. Williams Dr. Jeffrey L. Williams has been practicing as an Electrophysiologist since 2008. He serves Lakeland Regional Health as both an Electrophysiologist and Cardiologist as well as Co-Director of the Heart Rhythm Center and Assistant Quality and Medical Informatics Officer for the health system. Early in his career, Dr. Williams planned, developed and implemented a de novo Electrophysiology program at an 11-person single-specialty cardiology practice and 172-bed community hospital. That Heart Rhythm Center is the only community electrophysiology program in the U.S. to publish outcomes on pacemaker and defibrillator implantations on high-frequency jet ventilation during ablation. An electrophysiologist is a subspecialized cardiologist who performs heart-rhythm evaluations and electrophysiology-device - such as pacemakers and defibrillators - -implants. Typical training involves the same training as a cardiologist - plus an additional two years of Electrophysiology (Heart Rhythm) fellowship. What is your patient care philosophy? To put patients first by providing the right care, for the right patient, at the right time by harnessing data analytics. This is accomplished by listening to the patient’s needs and then defining the issues and analyzing the data to improve/control outcomes. What would you like people to know about you as a physician? I have earned numerous accolades within academic and clinical settings, including awards from both the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. I also served as Governor of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Cardiology (2015). Why did you decide to become a physician? When I was a kid and not actively pursuing my trophy bass, I always had a penchant for reading books describing the nature of life; from “The Fresh and Salt Water Fishes of the World” to “The AMA Family Medical Guide.” I was fascinated by the outward appearance and innate functions of life in general. High school taught me that, not only was I interested in biology, but that I had skills in mathematics. Led by these interests, I initially pursued a curriculum of Electrical Engineering at Vanderbilt. E.E. proved to be very challenging but I felt it was too “dry.” I found myself using personal time to learn about the use of electrical instrumentation to discover and explain biological phenomena. From stereotactic neurosurgery to robotic hands, I was able to stay focused on E.E. by seeing the many possible applications of technology in the biological realm. Very soon, however, my fascination with biology impelled me to pursue a double major in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering. My undergraduate experience sparked my desire to attend graduate school and further develop both theoretical and practical bioengineering skills. I was given the opportunity to attend The University of Pittsburgh under a Keck Fellowship. The idea of an artificial heart amazed me and I was excited to have found what seemed the perfect combination of engineering and biological science! The clinical hands-on experience in the care of those unique patients dependent upon artificial hearts was the defining moment in my commitment to a career in Cardiovascular Science. The direct patient contact was very different from my impersonal laboratory research. I sincerely enjoyed talking with patients (and their families) and participating in the caregiving process! I was surprised when I realized how therapeutic it was for a patient to be aware that not just their family, but also the entire medical team cares about the patient as a whole. This entire experience was very rewarding and it became obvious to me that what I desired could not be fulfilled if I continued in engineering. My engineering background has been a perfect complement to the Art of Medicine! The ability to acquire, synthesize, and organize data into a cohesive framework for understanding a problem is the cornerstone of Medicine What do you enjoy most about working with patients? For me, the fun of patient care is the interactions with both the patient and their family. As Hippocrates said, “Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always.” How does your work improve lives? It is a privilege to help primary care providers and other cardiologists care for patients. I especially enjoy helping patients return to their active lifestyle and reduce worrisome symptoms that often accompany heart rhythm disorders. What are some interesting facts about you? I have written two books for patients: What Is a Defibrillator? and What Is a Pacemaker? A third book, What Are Heart Rhythm Disorders?, is going through editing and should be available in late 2017. I am an active runner and have completed three marathons. Finally, I also write articles for patients and health care providers on my blog. With what community and volunteer organizations are you involved? I have coached all three of my children’s sports team at one time or another. I am active with the American College of Cardiology.
Education
- Medical College Of Pennsylvania - Hahnemann University (Grad. 1999)