United Physicians Appoints Michael Williams, M.D. Interim President

BINGHAM FARMS, Mich., March 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Physicians' Board of Directors elected Michael Williams, M.D. as interim President of one of Michigan's largest independent physician organizations. As interim President, Dr. Williams is replacing Steven Grant, M.D., who has taken a position at the Detroit Medical Center.

"I am incredibly excited about this opportunity," said Dr. Williams.  "It is my hope to take my experience as a practicing physician, and use it to help improve the delivery of better, more efficient healthcare on a much larger scale.  This is a first-class organization, and I am honored to serve our 1,600+ member physicians."

Prior to his appointment as interim President of United Physicians, Dr. Williams has served as a United Physicians Board Member for nine years, and has served as Chairman of United Physicians' newly-formed Physician Advocacy Cabinet – a grass roots effort to promote doctor-to-doctor engagement, exchange, and teamwork.  Dr. Williams has also been instrumental in the development, adoption and growth of the use of Health Information Technology among the United Physicians network of providers.

"Dr. Williams' appointment is part of a succession planning strategy that we began more than two years ago.  Dr. Grant's departure simply accelerated the plan," said Seymour Baxter, M.D., and Chairman of United Physicians Board of Directors. "Our objective is to ensure the success, viability, and physician-focus of the organization well into the future."  

In addition to his responsibilities with United Physicians, Dr. Williams is also assuming the role of interim President and Medical Director of Premier Physicians Network (PPN), a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Physicians.  Premier Physicians Network is a multi-specialty group of 850 physicians who participate in HMO risk contracts.

Dr. Williams received his undergraduate degree from Albion College in 1987 and his medical degree from Wayne State University in 1991.  He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Ohio State University Medical Center and Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio in 1995. Dr. Williams is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics.  In addition to his private medical practice, Dr. Williams is a member of the medical staff at William Beaumont Hospital in Troy.

About United Physicians, P.C.

United Physicians is an organization of more than 1,600 physicians who have medical staff privileges at multiple medical centers throughout Southeastern Michigan.  United Physicians serves the professional and economic interests of its members by negotiating and facilitating participation in health care plans, providing services that promote quality and efficiency in practice management, facilitating doctor credentialing with health plans, and offering health insurance products. Visit www.updoctors.com.

SOURCE United Physicians, P.C.