Women in Medicine: Sharon Williams, PhD

Why did you pursue a career in medicine?

I have always loved working with children, even when I was a kid myself and my parents led lives of helping others, my father as a physician and my mother as a volunteer. From their example, I developed a strong desire to do something with my life that had purpose and benefited others. I was on the path to medical school when I took a neuropsychology class in undergrad and I was hooked. It was the perfect blend of brain science and connecting with others that I was looking for in a career.

What is your work focused on?

I assess the neurocognitive function of children who have been medically ill.

What is the most fulfilling part of your work?

Medical illness and injury can happen to anyone at anytime and when it happens to a child, it has a particular significance. Helping families to understand their child's functioning and abilities following and illness and helping them to figure out how to help their child get back on track and on with their life, given their new deficits or challenges, is gratifying.

What advice would you give yourself when you started in the field, knowing what you know now?

The road to get where you want to go will have bumps and challenges but believe in yourself and seek out those that believe in you and support you. You will see the rewards in all of your hard work in ways that you can't even imagine!