Basil Williams, MD

Basil K. Williams, Jr. M.D. is an associate professor of clinical ophthalmology and Bascom Palmer’s vice chair of inclusive excellence. A board-certified specialist in retinal diseases and ocular oncology, Williams comes to Miami from Cincinnati where he was the Mary Knight Asbury Chair of Ocular Oncology and associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center; a vitreoretinal specialist, ocular oncologist, and director of the retinoblastoma program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; and a vitreoretinal diseases specialist and surgeon at the Cincinnati Eye Institute.

Williams received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Yale University and received his medical degree from the Chicago Medical School. Following his transitional year internship at Resurrection Medical Center, Williams completed a residency in ophthalmology as well as a surgical retinal fellowship at Bascom Palmer, both preceding his tenure as the Institute’s chief resident. The following year he completed an ocular oncology fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital. His research interests include vitreoretinal diseases and surgery, as well as adult and pediatric surface and intraocular tumors. A member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, Williams has received numerous teaching awards including the Medical Student Educator of the Year from the University of Cincinnati, the William Tasman M.D. Outstanding Fellow Teaching Award from Wills Eye Hospital, and Fellow of the Year Award from Bascom Palmer.

In his role as the Institute’s vice chair for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Williams will lead the strategic planning not only of Bascom Palmer’s dedication to DEI, but also as a national figure to ensure diversity in recruiting, training, mentoring, and hiring within the field of ophthalmology. Williams has been active in DEI activities within the medical community, having served as vice president of diversity and inclusion of the Vit-Buckle Society, and has taken an active role in committees of the American Society of Retina Specialists, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Retinal World Congress. He has presented 34 invited lectures on topics ranging from vitreoretinal surgery to intraocular tumors to the role of diversity and challenges in the field. Williams is available for consultation in retinal diseases and ocular oncology for in-person appointments and virtual visits.