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Dr. Claude R. Williams Sr. - 30 years
Wednesday, November 12, 2003Dr. Claude R. Williams Sr., director of community outreach in communications and development at Baylor College of Dentistry, has held many titles – assistant clinical professor, director of minority affairs, director of multicultural affairs and now his current role as director of community outreach – during his tenure at the college. One thing remains the same, however: his desire to build a bridge between the college and the community and ensure that all people (regardless of ethnicity) have access to care.
"I look forward to coming to work because of the latitude I have to develop programs that enable the school to carry out its mission, especially in the area of community relations," Williams said.
In his current role, Williams is responsible for defining national, state and local health care issues from a minority perspective and presenting them to the college; recruiting, counseling, mentoring and retaining students; introducing minority practitioners to the college; presenting the college's mission to community and political leaders; developing the cultural competency for the college's core curriculum; and developing the constitution for all the minority student organizations. In addition those duties, he also works to bring influential speakers from the community and surrounding areas to the college, assists in organizing the employee forum for the annual Juneteenth celebration, and works with the Emmitt J. Conrad Scholarship program in collaboration with Texas state Sen. Royce West.
Williams' fondest memory is being asked to join the orthodontic faculty by the late Dr. Robert Gaylord, past chair of orthodontics.
"Dr. Gaylord was an inspiration in that he was concerned about the individual skill development of the faculty and he was open to allowing faculty to bring in and implement new ideas," Williams said. "He helped the faculty develop the social skills for compassion and understanding for all people."
Williams credits his longevity at BCD to the supportive environment at BCD.
"I am appreciative of the support of the administration and my department in allowing me the opportunity to develop programs that will have impact on a broader population of dental providers and the services they render," Williams said.
In his spare time, Williams enjoys golf, golf, and more golf as well as traveling and gardening.
Baylor Dental Record is a monthly publication of the Office of Communications & Development, Baylor College of Dentistry of The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center.