In this series, we will be sharing the stories of members of our community who are working and volunteering in the healthcare field during the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. We want to say thank you to the countless alumni, parents, and other members of our community who are working tirelessly to keep us healthy and safe. We appreciate everything you do.
Healthcare Heroes Series: J. Robert Williams, Jr., MD '72
Dr. Williams is currently a consulting physician at Jefferson Health New Jersey. He has been practicing infectious disease medicine for the past 32 years in Southern New Jersey. As a resident in Thomas Jefferson University's Internal Medicine program, he saw his first HIV case in 1982. "At that time, we didn't know what it was and had no idea how to treat it," he said.
Decades later, the present COVID-19 pandemic reminds him a bit of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. "In those early years, we often felt helpless and confused like we sometimes do today," he shared. "Clinical studies are scarce and information is primarily observational right now. We often find ourselves trying things out of sheer desperation."
From mid-March through the end of May, Dr. Williams cared for patients in intensive care units that were full of COVID-19 patients. He also saw an overflow of less critical COVID patients on the converted surgical floors while elective surgeries were put on hold.
"My advice to everyone is to respect this illness." he said. "It catches you off guard and can be very lethal." Dr. Williams - like all health care providers this past spring - was stunned at the ineffectiveness of many standard treatments to provide any relief for his patients who entered into complete respiratory failure.
Facing the unknown, Dr. Williams admits feeling hopeless at times. "I have days when I feel hopeless and stupid, and other days when I feel fulfilled and brilliant," he said. "Practicing medicine - and combating this virus - is extremely humbling, and it is a stark reminder of your own mortality."
Recently, Dr. Williams has seen some mixed results with a drug named Remdesivir when it has been administered early enough. But, it is by no means a panacea. While he hopes that a vaccine or effective treatment may become available in early 2021, Dr. Williams urged everyone to continue to diligently follow the guidelines for wearing masks, avoiding crowds, and social distancing.
"The true heroes in this pandemic are the ones who protect their fellow citizens," he said. "People's lives have turned upside down, some lost jobs and businesses while trying to prevent the spread of infection." Dr. Williams and other health experts attribute the last summer decrease in COVID-19 cases and deaths in our area to the many sacrifices each of us has made and continues to make.
We are so grateful to Dr. Williams for his dedication to his patients. If you - or an EA community member you know - are working or volunteering on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to share your story. Please contact us at alumni@episcopalacademy.org.