posted 02-29-2008 03:45 PM               

Canadian Astronaut Dr. Dave Williams Retiring

The Canadian Space Agency announced today that Dr. Dafydd "Dave" Williams will be retiring from active astronaut status, effective March 1, 2008.

"Dr. Dave Williams has led a distinguished career in service to Canada and Canadians," said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and the Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency. "Over the past decade, his achievements have helped position Canada as a leading space-faring nation, driving science and innovation, while actively inspiring young people across our country to take their place as members of Canada's next space generation."

In his impressive career as a member of the Canadian Astronaut Corps, Dr. Williams flew two Space Shuttle Missions.

Selected as an astronaut by the Canadian Space Agency in 1992, Dr. Williams participated in Neurolab, a 16-day mission in 1998, flying aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. He and seven crewmembers served as both experiment subjects and operators for 26 life science experiments focused on the effects of microgravity on the brain and the nervous system.

Dr. Williams was appointed Director of NASA's Space and Life Sciences Directorate at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and then Deputy Associate Administrator for Crew Health and Safety of the Office of Space Flight at NASA Headquarters, while he continued active astronaut training.

Dr. Williams has also participated in two underwater missions, one as Commander. The NEEMO missions assessed the potential of space-delivered tele-medicine as a way to deliver medical care to remote locations, important, as well, for the future of extended spaceflight.

In August 2007, Dr. Williams completed his second spaceflight as a mission specialist on STS-118, where he established a Canadian record of 17 hours and 47 minutes in three spacewalks accomplished in one mission, supporting construction of the International Space Station.

In all Dr. Dave Williams has flown more than 18 million kilometres and spent 28 days, 15 hours, 45 minutes and 33 seconds in space.

Dr. Williams and family will be moving to Ontario where he will be exploring various career options.

posted 03-01-2008 09:59 AM               

Before astronaut Dave Williams hangs up his space suit on Saturday, he's got one piece of advice for Canada's youngsters: Never, ever, give up on your dreams.

"I was seven years old when I dreamed of becoming an astronaut and I never thought it was going to be possible," he said in an interview late Friday with The Canadian Press.

Now the 53-year-old is retiring from active duty with two space shuttle missions under his belt and the record for longest spacewalks by a Canadian.

"Somewhere out there in Canada right now could be the next generation of astronaut that could be participating in missions to the moon," he said from Houston, Texas. "Somewhere out there in Canada right now there might be a seven year old that might be participating in those first missions to Mars."

posted 03-01-2008 02:47 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by issman1:
Unless I am mistaken, William's departure leaves Canada with only three active-duty astronauts: Chris Hadfield, Julie Payette and Robert Thirsk.

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While Steve MacLean is flying a desk right now (as Chief of the Canadian Astronaut Program), as far as I know he hasn't permanently left active duty, and as such could conceivably fly again.

Bjarni Tryggvason is still technically a member of the Canadian Astronaut Corps, but has been mostly inactive, and at age 62 isn't likely to fly again.

posted 04-14-2008 10:47 AM               

Canadian astronaut lands at McMaster

Dave Williams, a physician and astronaut who has logged a Canadian record of almost 18 hours performing space walks, is landing in the city as a physician scientist for McMaster University and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.

As the director for the new McMaster Centre for Medical Robotics at St. Joseph's, he will lead a team dedicated to developing innovative technologies that will change the future of surgery in local and remote patient care. He is a professor in the Department of Surgery at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and holds a physician executive position at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.

"Dr. Williams has had an extraordinary career, and he's been a great ambassador for Canada and for medical science -- both on and off the planet," said McMaster President Peter George. "His fearless dedication to finding new ways of bringing medical care to remote environments represents the most advanced edge of medicine under exploration these days."

Kevin Smith, president and CEO of St. Joseph's Healthcare said: "St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton has established a reputation as a leader in surgical innovation and medical research.

"The recruitment of Dr. Williams, an internationally-recognized physician and scientist, illustrates the leadership role we have cultivated in the development of state-of-the art medical robotics research and technologies."

Williams trained and worked as an emergency physician in Toronto and Kitchener before joining the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in 1992 to become an astronaut. He has taken part on two NASA space shuttle flights, in 1998 and 2007, as a mission specialist and during the most recent took part in a record three space walks working on construction of the International Space Station.

He has held executive positions at NASA as director of the Space and Life Sciences Directorate at Johnson Space Centre and the deputy associate administrator of the Office of Space Flight at NASA Headquarters.

He also trained as an aquanaut, participating in two NASA missions to the world's only underwater research laboratory, called Aquarius, in the Florida Keys. He was the crew commander of a 2006 underwater mission dedicated to assessing new ways to deliver medical care to a remote location, and worked with Mehran Anvari, director of the McMaster Institute for Surgical Invention, Innovation and Education at St. Joseph's, who directed some of the research from Hamilton.

"I measure what I do in my career based on my ability to effect positive change," said Williams.

"As Director of the McMaster Centre for Medical Robotics at St. Joseph's Healthcare, I look forward to working with some of the leading scientists, physicians and engineers and contributing to the next generation of surgical robotics. I am confident that through our research we will improve the delivery of healthcare around the globe."

Besides the research focus of his new role, Williams will provide strategic guidance in physician leadership development and clinical resource management at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton with a focus on building innovative strategies for physician recruitment.

posted 05-19-2011 08:25 AM               

Physician and former astronaut recruited to rocket hospital to new heights

Stephen E. Quinlan, Chairman of the Board of Newmarket, Ontario-based Southlake Regional Health Centre, is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Dave Williams as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 18.

Dr. Williams - a leading physician and former astronaut - comes to Southlake with a substantial amount of healthcare experience, which he has gained through various leadership positions held at teaching and research centres. Attending McGill University in Montreal, he completed his Bachelor of Science (1976), Master of Science (1983), and Medical Doctor degree (1983), having earned numerous honours including the Wood Gold Medal. He has served as Director of Emergency Services at Sunnybook (1992) and as an emergency physician at Kitchener General Hospital/St. Mary's General Hospital (1989-1990). Most recently, he held the position of Professor of Surgery and Director of Medical Robotics at McMaster University (2008-2011), and Chief Medical Officer, Patient Safety and Quality at St. Joseph's Healthcare System in Hamilton (2010-2011). Recipient of four honourary degrees and numerous awards, Dr. Williams has participated in numerous research studies and served on many boards and committees.

Dr. Williams joined the Canadian Space Agency in 1992. During his career, he has logged more than 687 hours in space, with a record-setting 17 hours and 47 minutes performing spacewalks. Having also lived and worked in the world's only underwater ocean laboratory, he became Canada's first dual astronaut and aquanaut in 2001.

Between his two spaceflights, he held the position of Director of the Space and Life Sciences Directorate at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. With this appointment, he became the first non-American to hold a senior management position within NASA. He concurrently held a six-month position as the first Deputy Associate Administrator for Crew Health and Safety in the Office of Space Flight at NASA Headquarters in 2001.

"The Board of Directors at Southlake is extremely excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Dave Williams," said Mr. Quinlan. "We are confident that the range of experience and leadership qualities he offers will greatly aid Southlake as it transitions into a teaching and research centre."

"To have successfully recruited a candidate of this calibre is a testament to the reputation that Southlake, its programs, and its people have earned as a centre of excellence within the Province of Ontario," Mr. Quinlan added.

Recently reappointed as Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto, Dr. Williams is thrilled to be joining "the world class team at Southlake and their commitment to service excellence," he said.

"When I look at the remarkable clinical achievements of the team, including a number of firsts in cardiac care, coupled with a new state-of-the-art cancer centre, it is clear that Southlake is at the forefront of medical care," he said. "Building on partnerships with the University of Toronto and York University, we are perfectly poised to expand Southlake's role as a future leader in clinical research and academic medicine."

Dr. Williams and his wife, Cathy Fraser, live in Oakville, with their two children.

Dr. Louis Balogh will continue as Interim President and CEO until the arrival of Dr. Williams. At that time, Dr. Balogh will return to the position of Southlake's Vice-President, Regional Programs.