Prof. Williams receiving the OBE from HM the Queen
Professor Gordon Williams, the Medical Director of the Hamlin Fistula hospital and five Hamlin regional hospitals, has kept a busy schedule traveling this summer and recently was in the United States. In June, preceding his trip to the US, Professor Williams was awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire by HM The Queen in the 2011 New Years’ Honors List.
Professor Williams, who has had over 25 years experience working with the Hamlin Fistula Hospitals, said ”this [award] very much reflects the esteem with which the Hamlin Fistula Organization is held worldwide.”
Professor Williams’ first stop in the U.S. included a workshop, sponsored by Fistula Care and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, on women living with fistula who are incurable at the Harvard Club in Boston, MA.
Prof. Williams and Dr. Gary Little, Medical Director of GWU
On September 21, Professor Williams spoke at George Washington University (GWU) Hospital on obstetric fistula and the work of the Hamlin Fistula hospitals. He lectured to a group of OBGYNs, Urologists, and medical students on “A holistic approach to the management of women in Ethiopia with a vesico vaginal fistula.”
He discussed the significance of treating women holistically of their injuries rather than only patching up the fistula or hole. Women who endure obstructed labor resulting in a fistula can have many other issues, such as musculoskeletal conditions like “dropped foot,” urological, gynecological, gastroenterological problems and social and/or psychiatric problems.
Hamlin Fistula is dedicated to holistic treatment in all of our hospitals and also in our Desta Mender project. Patients at Desta Mender, who are unable to be cured fully from fistula, are being treated and trained with life skills so they can be reintegrated back into their communities. Professor Williams is continuing to do research on treatment methods for these patients. For more on his research and other research the hospital has done click here.
Dr. Finley, Sarah Klotz, Executive Director of HFUSA, and Sue Green, Advisory Council Member
Prof. Williams speaking at GWU Hospital
