RobertaGayWilliamsMD

Pediatric Cardiology • Los Angeles, CA

Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics

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Office
4650 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone+1 323-630-6735

Summary

Dr. Roberta Williams is a pediatric cardiologist based in Los Angeles, CA, with extensive experience in congenital heart disease, fetal cardiology, pediatric heart disease, and adult congenital heart disease. She completed her fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology at Boston Children’s Hospital, following her MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Medicine-Pediatrics residency at UNC and Columbia-Presbyterian Babies Hospital, she was a fellow in Pediatric Cariology at Boston Children's Hospital. Joining the faculty at BCH, she served as Medical Director of the Cardio-Thoracic Surgery ICU and Director of the Non-Invasive Laboratory. Dr. Williams has held significant positions including Chief of Pediatric Cardiology at UCLA , Chair of Pediatrics at UNC, Chair of Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine at USC and Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She is currently Professor Emeritus at the University of Southern California. Her recent publications cover topics in pediatric cardiology and healthcare design, with several articles being cited by peers. Her professional honors include the Presidential Medallion from USC and awards from the American College of Cardiology, and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

Education & Training

Boston Children’s Hospital/Boston Medical CenterFellowship, Pediatric Cardiology, 1970 - 1973
New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia Campus)Residency, Pediatrics, 1969 - 1970
University of North Carolina HospitalsInternship, Transitional Year, 1968 - 1969
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of MedicineClass of 1968
Duke UniversityB.S., Zoology, 1959 - 1963

Certifications & Licensure

CA State Medical License 1982 - 2025
American Board of Pediatrics Pediatrics
American Board of Pediatrics Pediatric Cardiology
American Board of Internal Medicine Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Presidential Medallion University of Southern California, 2015
Distinguished Service Award American College of Cardiology, 2013
Distinguished Medical Alumni Award University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 2012
Founder’s Award, Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010
Phi Kappa Phi 2007
Clauson Visiting Professor, Department of Pediatrics University of Rochester, 2007
Susan Orr Endowed Lecturer Stanford University, 2007
Alexander S. Nadas Lecturer, Scientific Sessions American Heart Association, 2007
Master American Heart Association, 2005
ACC/ Pfizer Visiting Professor in Cardiovascular Medicine, Divisions of Pediatric Cardiology and Medical Cardiology, Departments of Pediatrics Internall Medicine University of Michigan Health Systems, Ann Arbor, 2005
Women in Cardiology Mentor Award Clinical Cardiology Council, American Heart Association, 2004
Fellow of the Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young American Heart Association, 2003
Gifted Teacher Award American College of Cardiology, 2002
Lifetime Achievement Award Society of Pediatric Echocardiolography, San Francisco, 1997
Distinguished Service Award, Greater Los Angeles Affiliate American Heart Association, 1993
Robert C. Neerhout Teaching Award University of California, Los Angeles, 1989
Fellow American College of Cardiology, 1985
Fellow (FAAP) American Academy of Pediatrics
Master American College of Cardiology
Super Doctor SuperDoctors.com
Fellow American Heart Association
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Mind the Gap! Working Toward Gender Equity in Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease: Present and Future.
Devyani Chowdhury, Neha Bansal, Annette Ansong, Carissa Baker Smith, Holly Bauser-Heaton
Journal of the American Heart Association. 2024-05-07
Unequal Representation in Pediatric Cardiology: The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same?
Elizabeth DeWitt, Roberta Williams
Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2023-03-28
1 citations
Using human-centered design to support adolescents and young adults with special healthcare needs.
Caitlin S. Sayegh, Emily Reich, Rachel Cuevas, Courtney Porter, Maurice Tut
Patient Education and Counseling. 2021-08-20

Journal Articles

Editorial: Tracking Congenital Heart Outcomes to the Finnish Line
Williams RG, JACC, 1/1/2016
Hospital Costs and Inpatient Mortality among Children Undergoing Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease
John A. Romley, Alex Y. Chen, Dana P. Goldman, Roberta Williams, Health Services Research, 1/1/2014
Inpatient admissions and costs of congenital heart disease from adolescence to young adulthood
Yang Lu, Garima Agrawal, Chia Wei-Lin, Roberta Williams, Am Heart J, 1/1/2014
Abnormal cerebral microstructure in premature neonates with congenital heart disease
Paquette LB1, Wisnowski JL, Ceschin R, Pruetz JD, Detterich JA, Del Castillo S, Nagasunder AC, Kim R, Painter MJ, Gilles FH, Nelson MD, Williams RG, Blüml S, Panigrahy A, American Journal of Neuroradiology, 1/1/2014
Best Practices in Managing Transition to Adulthood for Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease: The Transition Process and Medical and Psychosocial Issues:A Scientif...
Craig Sable, MD, FAHA, Co-Chair; Elyse Foster, MD, FAHA, Co-Chair; Karen Uzark, PhD, PNP, FAHA, Co-Chair; Katherine Bjornsen, BSN, ARNP; Mary M. Canobbio, RN, MN, FAHA..., Circulation, 1/1/2011
Adults with Chronic Diseases Beginning in Childhood: inpatient Experience in Children's Hospitals
Denise M. Goodman MD, MS; Matthew Hall, PhD; Amanda Levin MD; R. Scott Watson MD, MPH; Roberta G. Williams MD; Samir S. Shah MD, MSCE; Anthony D. Slonim MD, DrPH, Pediatrics, 1/1/2011
Parental knowledge concerning life-long cardiac care
Susan M. Fernandes, M.H.P, PA-C; Amy Verstappen, ME.d.; Kathy Ackerman, B.S.N. R.N, C.P.N.; Elizabeth E. Adams, D.O.; Cheryl Barton, R.N., M.S.N. Petar Breitinger, PA-..., Pediatrics, 1/1/2011
Regulatory efforts to assess and improve the quality of pediatric cardiac surgery in New York State
Hannon El, Cozzens KS, Samadashvili Z, Morley JN, Williams RG, Kulik TJ, Bierman FZ, Ruiz CE, Alfieris GM, Lamberti JJ, Gold JP, Progress in Pediatric Cardiology, 1/1/2011
Fumbling the Handoff: Managing the Transition to Adult Care for Adolescents with Chronic Conditions
RG Williams (Ed), Journal of Adolescent Health, 1/1/2009
ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Management of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: Executive Summary
Carole A. Warnes, Roberta G. Williams, Thomas M. Bashore, John S. Child, Heidi M. Connolly, Joseph A. Dearani, Pedro del Nido, James W. Fasules, Thomas P. Graham Jr, Z..., Circulation, 1/1/2008
ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Management of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: Executive Summary
Carole A. Warnes, Roberta G. Williams, Thomas M. Bashore, John S. Child, Heidi M. Connolly, Joseph A. Dearani, Pedro del Nido, James W. Fasules, Thomas P. Graham Jr, Z..., J AM Coll Cardiol, 1/1/2008
Echocardiography in the Management of Single Ventricle
Roberta G. Williams, Echocardiography, 1/1/2007
Women in Pediatrics: Recommendations for the Future
Women Chairs of the association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs (Williams RG), Pediatrics, 1/1/2007
Report of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Working Group on Research in Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Williams RG, Pearson GD, Barst RJ Child JS, del Nido P, Gersony WM, Kuehl KS, Landzberg MJ, Sahn DJ, Verstappen A, Warnes CA, Webb CL, JACC, 1/1/2006
Identifying athletes at risk for sudden death
Williams RG, Chen AY, JACC, 1/1/2004
TACE is required for fetal murine cardiac development and modeling
W Shi, H Chen, J Sun, S Buckley, J Zhao, KD Anderson, RG Williams and D Warburton, Developmental Biology, 1/1/2003
32nd Bethesda Conference: Care of the Adult With Congenital Heart Disease: Task Force 3: Work Force Description and Educational Requirements for the Care of Adults wi...
Child JS, Collins-Nakai RL, Alpert JS, Deanfield JE, Harris L, McLaughlin P, Miner PD, Webb GD, Williams RG, JACC, 1/1/2001
Task Force 2: Special Health care needs of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease
Foster E, Graham TP Jr., Driscoll DJ, Reid GJ, Reiss JG, Russell IA, Sermer M, Siu SC, Uzark K, Williams RG, Webb GD, JACC, 1/1/2001
Task Force 4: Organization of Delivery Systems for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease
Landzberg MJ, Murphy DJ Jr., Davidson WR Jr., Jarcho JA, Krumholz HM, Mayer JE Jr., Mee RB, Sahn DJ, Van Hare GF, Webb GD, Williams RG, JACC, 1/1/2001
Task Force 5: Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: access to care
Skorton DJ, Garson A Jr., Allen HD, Fox JM, Truesdell SC, Webb GD, Williams RG, JACC, 1/1/2001
Task Force 1: The Changing Profile of Congenital Heart Disease in Adult Life
Warnes CA, Liberthson r, Danielson GK, Dore A, Harris L, Hoffman JI, Somerville J, Williams RG, Webb GD, JACC, 1/1/2001
Pediatric Generalists and Suspecialists: Determinants of Career Satisfaction
R. Shugerman, M. Linzer, Kathleen Nelson, Jeffrey Douglas, RG Williams, R. Konrad, Pediatrics, 1/1/2001
Care of the Adult with Congenital Heart Disease: Report of the 32nd Bethesda Conference: Care of the Adult with Congenital Heart Disease
Webb GD, Williams RG, JACC, 1/1/2001
Task force on the Future of Pediatric Education ll Pediatric Subspecialists of the Future
Gruskin AB, Williams RG, McCabe ER, Stein F, Strickler J, Chesney RW, Mulvey HJ, Simon JL, Alden ER, Pediatrics, 1/1/2000
Training Pediatricians for the Evolving Generalist-Specialist Interface in the Managed Care Era
Williams R.G., Stein L.D., Leslie LK, J of Pediatrics, 1/1/1998
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Books/Book Chapters

Textbook of Child Neurology
Chapter: Neurologic Manifestations of Systemic Disease.
Page 873 - 923Menkes JH, Hurvitz CGH, McDiarmid SV, Williams RGWWilliams & Wilkins PublishersEdition 5th,1995
Glenn’s Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Chapter: Structural and Functional Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease.
Cotton J, Isabel-Jones JB, Williams RGAppleton & Lang PublishersEdition 6th,1995
Progress in Pediatric Cardiology.
Chapter: Fixed Subaortic Stenosis.
Page 141 - 149Maginot K, Williams RGButterworth-Heinemann Publishers1994
Textbook of Pediatric Critical Care.
Chapter: Congenital Heart Disease.
Page 339 - 360Williams RG, Day REditors: Holbrook, PR.W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, PA1993
Glenn Textbook of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Chapter: The Structural and Functional Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease.
Williams RG, Emge FK, Isabel-Jones JBAppleton & Langer PublishersEdition 5th,1991
First International Symposium on Echocardiography & Doppler in Cardiac Surgery.
Chapter: Echocardiography and Doppler in the Perioperative Evaluation of Congenital Heart Disease.
Page 121 - 151Williams RGEditors: Mauer, G, Mohl, W.Igaku-Shoin Publishers, New York, NY1989
Pediatric Cardiology Proceedings of the Second World Congress
Chapter: Echocardiography with Doppler.
Williams RGEditors: Eugenia F. Doyle, et al.Spring-Verlag, New York, NY1986
Echocardiography Diagnosis of Cardiac Malformations.
Williams RG, Bierman FZ, Sanders SPLittle Brown and Company, Boston, MA1986
The Lung and Its Disorders in the Newborn Infant.
Avery ME, Fletcher BD, Williams RGW.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA1981
Current Cardiology.
Chapter: Pediatric Cardiology 1977.
Keane JF, Freed MD, Williams RG, Nadas ASEditors: Ferrer, MI.Loughton Mifflin Professional Publishers, CA1979
Infant and Child Care in the Heart Surgery.
Chapter: Arrhythmias.
Sade RM, Williams RGEditors: Sade RM, Cosgrove DM, Castaneda AR.Yearbook Medical Publishers, Chicago, IL1977
Proceedings of the New England Cardiovascular Society
Chapter: Echocardiographic diagnosis of congenital heart disease in the adult.
Williams RGAmerican Heart Association, Massachusetts Affiliate, Inc., Boston, MA1977
Ultrasound Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease.
Williams RG, Tucker CRLittle Brown and Company, Boston, MA1977
The Child with Congenital Heart Disease.
Chapter: Tetralogy of Fallot repair in infancy.
Castaneda AR, Williams RG, Rosenthal A, Sade RMEditors: Kidd, BS, Rowe, RD.Future Publishing Co., Mount Kisco, NY1976
Symposium in Congenital Heart Disease
Chapter: Tetralogy of Fallot: Primary repair in infancy.
Castaneda AR, Williams RG, Rosenthal A, Sade RMEditors: Keith, Rowe.Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
Establishing a Healthcare Transition Program for Adolescents and Young Adults with Chronic Illness and Disability
Chapter: Chapter 11: Developing a Transition Policy, Procedures or Guidelines
Roberta Williams and Ellen IversonEditors: Albert C. Hergenroeder, MD and Constance M. Wiemann, PhD.Springer
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Abstracts/Posters

Cardiac glucose metabolism in developing non-human primates using positron emission tomography.
Satou GM, Allada V, Williams RG, American Academy of Pediatrics, 1/1/1995
Theophylline in the post cardiac surgical intensive care unit.
Levy DJ, Se J, Kimball M, Williams RG, Harrison RE, Kaplan K, Child Health World Congress and Exposition, 1/1/1995
Positron emission tomography evaluation of myocardial dysfunction after the arterial switch operation in infants.
Allada V, Brunken RC, Hurwitz RA, Laks H, Williams RG, Jarmakani JM, Schelbert HR, American Heart Association 67th Scientific Sessions, 1/1/1994
Hemodynamic effects of closure of the adjustable interatrial communication after the Scientific Session
Harake B, Elami A, Pearl JM, Al-Khatib Y, Jarmakani J, Laks H, Williams RG, 1/1/1992
Modified Fontan procedure in patients less than four years of age.
Pearl JM, Laks H, Drinkwater DC, Milgalter E, Capouya ER, George BL, Williams RG, American Heart Association, 64th Scientific Sessions, Anaheim, CA, 1/1/1991
Improved survival in heterotaxy patients undergoing modified Fontan procedure.
Culbertson C, George B, Day R, Laks H, Williams RG, American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting, Cardiology Section, 1/1/1991
Total cavopulmonary anastomosis versus the conventional modified Fontan procedure.
Pearl JM, Laks H, Stein DG, Drinkwater DC, Meneshian A, Hartmann IK, George BL, Williams RG, 27th Annual Meeting, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, San Francisco, CA, 1/1/1991
Partial biventricular repair of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum: Use of an adjustable atrioseptal defect.
Laks H, Pearl JM, Milgalter E, Drinkwater DC, Jarmakani JM, Isabel-Jones J, George BL, Williams RG, American Heart Association, 64th Scientific Sessions, Anaheim, CA, 1/1/1991
Clinical utility of positron emission tomography in children after arterial switch operations.
Allada V, Brunken R, Roberts A, Laks H, Williams RG, Schelbert HR, American College of Cardiology 4lst Annual Scientific Session, Dallas, TX, 1/1/1991
Valve replacement in Children.
Corno A, Laks H, George B, Williams RG, 39th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology, 1/18/1990
Accurate description of coronary patterns and outcome of the neonatal arterial switch operation.
Day RW, Isabel-Jones JB, Laks H, Galindo A, Jarmakani JM, Santulli TV, Drinkwater DC, Kaplan S, Williams RG, Circulation; American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, 1/1/1990
Experience with the Fontan procedure.
Laks H, Pearl J, George BW A, Santulli T, Williams RG, 38th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology, 1/19/1989
Diagnosis and management of straddling mitral valve.
Chin TK, Santulli TV, Laks HL, Williams RG, American Academy of Pediatrics meeting, 1/1/1988
Definitive repair in patients with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.
Billingsley AM, Laks H, George B, Santulli T, Williams RG, Western Journal Surgical Association, 1/1/1988
Isolated non-compaction of ventricular myocardium.
Chin TK, Perloff JK, Williams RG, 61st Session, American Heart Association, 1/1/1988
The use of an adjustable intraatrial communication in patients undergoing the Fontan and definitive heart procedures.
Laks H, Haas GS, Pearl JM, Sadeghi AM, George B, Santulli TV, Williams RG, 61st Session, American Heart Association, 1/1/1988
Repair of complex congenital heart disease with the use of the valved conduit.
Pearl J, Laks H, Drinkwater DC, George B, Santulli TV, Williams RG, 61st Session, American Heart Association, 1/1/1988
MR imaging of the pulmonary arteries in patients with congenital pulmonary outflow obstruction.
Gomes AS, Lois JF, Williams RG, Radiological Society of North America, Chicago, IL, 1/29/1987
Exercise hemodynamics after a Fontan procedure.
Barber G, DiSessa T, Child J, Perloff J, George B, Williams,RG Laks H, JACC; 35th Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology, 1/1/1986
Evaluation of congenital abnormalities of the aortic arch with MRI.
Gomes AS, Lois JF, Alpan G, Williams, RG, 72nd Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North American, 1/1/1986
Senning procedure: A re-evaluation.
George B, Laks H, Klitzner T, Demonteiro C, Friedman W, Williams RG, Circulation; 58th Scientific Session of the American Heart Association, 1/11/1985
Coarctation repair in infants without cardiac catheterization.
George B, DiSessa TG, Williams RG, Laks H, Second World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology, New York, NY, 1/5/1985
Systemic venous and pulmonary arterial flow patterns after Fontan procedure for tricuspid atresia and single ventricle.
DiSessa TG, Child JS, Perloff J, Williams RG, Friedman WF, Laks H, Second World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology, New York, NY, 1/4/1985
Accuracy of two-dimensional echocardiography in prospective diagnosis and postoperative longterm follow-up of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection.
Chin AJ, Sherman F, Sanders SP, Lang P, Williams RG, Norwood WI, Castaneda AR, Second World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology., New York, NY, 1/1/1985
Subaortic obstruction in complex congenital heart disease: Successful management by proximal pulmonary artery to ascending aorta end-to-side anastomosis.
Lin AE, Laks H, Barber G, Chin AJ, Williams RG, Abstracts of Second World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology, 1/1/1985
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Lectures

Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Program: Day 1
National Conference & Exhibition 2019 - American Academy of Pediatrics - New Orleans, LA - 10/25/2019
Transition: Shifting Focus in the Latter Years of Your CV Career
2019 ACC Scientific Session & Expo, New Orleans - 3/17/2019
Designing a Healthcare System for AYAs
Carmel, CA - 1/1/2011
The Future of Pediatrics
University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium - 1/1/2011
Collaboration between cardiologists and engineers since 270 BCE
Parma, Italy - 1/1/2009
How to Become a Clinical Cardiovascular Investigator
Washington, DC - 1/1/2008
National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions.
1/1/1996
Managing the Transition in Utero Evolution and What the Fetal Diagnostician Needs to Tell the Pediatric Cardiologist & Why?
Las Vegas, NV - 1/1/1993
Congenital Heart Disease in the Adolescent and Adult
New York, NY - 1/1/1993
Early management and Evaluation of the Potential Fontan Patient and Intraoperative Echocardiography
Norway - 1/1/1993
Resolved-Federal Graduate Medical Education Dollars Should be Redirected to Primary Care Training!
Washington, DC - 1/1/1993
International Course in Advanced Pediatric Care
Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna, Santiago, Chile - 1/1/1992
Management of Fetal Heart Disease: How to Use Fetal Echocardiography
Nice, France - 1/1/1992
Health Policy Issues Affecting Pediatric Cardiology: Manpower Issues
New Orleans, LA - 1/1/1991
Echocardiography in Congenital Heart Disease
University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 1/1/1991
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Press Mentions

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Experts Present on the Latest in Pediatric and Congenital Cardiovascular Diseases at 25th Annual Cardiology 2022 ConferenceAugust 22nd, 2022
Collaborative USC Project Connects Kids with World-Class EducatorsAugust 30th, 2021
Remembering the Female Clinicians Who Revolutionized Pediatric CardiologyApril 30th, 2018
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