Chancellor, University of North Texas System
Chancellor@untsystem.edu
UNT System Building | 1901 Main Street | Dallas, Texas 75201
Michael R. Williams currently serves as the sixth president of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC) and the fifth Chancellor of the University of North Texas System (UNT System). A Fort Worth native, and first HSC alumnus to serve as President, Dr. Williams practiced anesthesiology and critical care medicine in Texas for more than twenty years.
From 2008 – 2013, Dr. Williams served as Chief Executive Officer of Hill Country Memorial Hospital – during which time the hospital received numerous state and national awards becoming a Truven Top 100 U.S. hospital in 2012 and 2013. Under his leadership the hospital was also awarded the 2013 Malcolm Baldrige National Presidential Best Practice for Leadership Award and named a Top 10 finalist for the 2013 Malcolm Baldrige National Presidential Quality Award. Hill Country Memorial Hospital went on to win the 2014 Malcolm Baldrige National Presidential Quality Award.
In 2011, Governor Rick Perry appointed Dr. Williams to serve on the University of North Texas System Board of Regents. He was later appointed to serve on the Texas Wesleyan University Board of Trustees in 2013.
Dr. Williams completed his anesthesiology and critical care training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and the Texas Heart Institute in Houston following earning two medical degrees. Dr. Williams holds board certifications in both anesthesiology and critical care medicine by the American Board of Anesthesiology.
A successful business executive and entrepreneur, Dr. Williams also holds an MBA from Duke University and a Master’s in Health Care Management from Harvard University. Dr. Williams has founded companies in several industries including health care, mortgage, and software.
Dr. Williams has been named a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives and a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. In 2013, Dr. Williams was named to the U.S. News and World Report’s Advisory Council for the Healthcare of Tomorrow and remains an active member.
Under Dr. Williams’ leadership, HSC has embraced a values-based, collaborative, and innovative team culture. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HSC stepped up for the DFW community leading efforts on health literacy, contact tracing, testing and vaccinations. Beginning his tenure as Chancellor of the UNT System in 2022, he is working to fulfill his vision for the System through creating a unified team committed to being “One” as an organization and developing stronger working ties in academics, research, and across all campuses and disciplines.
Beyond his many accomplishments, Dr. Williams’ strong business acumen has encouraged significant growth at HSC, all while never raising tuition during his tenure. Additionally, during his first year as Chancellor, Dr. Williams announced there would be no tuition increase at any campus across the UNT System for the upcoming school year.
Dr. Williams and his wife Ann have two daughters and two grandchildren.