Founder & Board Chair

Olajide Williams, MD, MS is the Vice Dean of Community Health at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S). A specialist in the treatment of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases, Dr. Williams is also an attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and a clinical neurologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He attained his medical degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and completed his neurology residency and neuromuscular fellowship training at The Neurological Institute of New York.

Dr. Williams is a world-renowned leader in stroke disparities and community-based behavioral intervention research. He is a principal investigator of multiple NIH awards, including a Center for Stroke Disparities Solutions in New York.

An influential clinician-educator, Dr. Williams is a member of the VP&S Virginia Apgar Academy of Medical Educators, and an inaugural member of the VP&S Academy of Community and Public Service. He is dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities and promoting diversity and inclusion in academic medicine. Dr. Williams is co-director of the Columbia Center for Community Health, where he leads the Community Health Worker Stroke Prevention and the Tailored Approaches to Stroke Health Education Research programs.