Michael Williams Recognized as "Future 40 Under 40" Professional to Watch

Rehabilitation Inpatient Operations Manager Michael Williams was recently recognized by The Daily Star as a “Future 40 Under 40” professional to watch.

Williams' rise through the organization has been swift. He joined North Oaks in 2007 as a Physical Therapist. In 2009, he was promoted to Physical Therapy Supervisor, and in 2010, he began supervising the Medical Center Support Staff. In 2011, he was promoted to Inpatient Therapy Manager, accepting his current position of Inpatient Operations Manager in 2012. In 2017, he was honored as Leader of the Month for North Oaks Health System.

A graduate of the University of New Orleans with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Williams earned a master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.

In a profession where patients are often at their lowest and most vulnerable, Williams makes it his number one priority to find a way to make their day better. He and his team of experts provide physical therapy to individuals, who are in the hospital due to illness, surgery, accident or recovery from a trauma. His experience as a Level II Track & Field coach serves him well – his position requires working with patients to set goals for their recovery, develop a game plan to get there and motivate them to persevere when the going gets tough.

Those same qualities make him a successful supervisor and mentor at North Oaks.

“Michael is a committed and driven leader. His dedication and passion shine through in everything he does. We are lucky he is part of the North Oaks family,” shares Mac Barrient, Rehabilitation Services Director.

Williams recently created a comprehensive model for improving the ability of patients to safely learn to move independently during their stay at North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital. The ability to move without assistance is especially important for patients, who have suffered a stroke or are recovering from surgery as they prepare to return home and resume their daily activities. During a recent accreditation survey by The Joint Commission, the surveyor praised the program as worthy of sharing with other medical rehabilitation facilities.