Aaron Williams, MD

Dr. Williams joined our surgical faculty in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, as Assistant Professor of Cardiac Surgery, after completing a fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Williams brings his specialized clinical and research experience in heart failure, mechanical circulatory as well as aortic surgery and endovascular techniques. He treats patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and performs pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. He also performs the full range of adult cardiac surgery which he enjoys. Dr. Williams will treat patients seeking care for aortic aneurysms, cardiac transplantation, and cardiac valve and coronary heart disease. He also performs minimally invasive heart surgery.

Research 

Dr. Williams has extensive research experience and has published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and six book chapters. His early interests in research include minimizing ischemia-reperfusion injury and promoting cytoprotection during cellular trauma and stress.  He has received over 5 grants, including several from the Department of Defense, where he was principial investigator or co-investigator on investigations totaling over 400 thousand dollars. As part of these investigations, he has received numerous awards including the First Prize Resident Research Award from the American Association of Trauma (AAST), the Frederick Coller Award (University of Michigan), the Jobst Award for Vascular Surgery Research (University of Michigan), along with the Top Gun Surgical Skills Award (Michigan American College of Surgeons). 

At present, his research efforts focus on organ recovery and protection during heart transplantation. He seeks to minimize ischemia-reperfusion during heart transplantation and is interested in novel approaches to heart recovery. He is interested in both clinical outcomes research along with small and large animal translational models.

Memberships, Awards and Honors

Dr. Williams is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery since 2022. He is an active member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplant Surgeons. 

Notably, he is a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society along with the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He was inducted in both during medical school. He has also received several awards including the Arnold G. Coran Award for Top Resident Teacher (University of Michigan), numerous Bronze Beeper Medical Student Teaching Awards (University of Michigan), along with the Franke Massie Award for Excellence in Surgery (University of Kentucky). 

Education

Dr. Williams earned his bachelor of arts degree at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana. He received his medical degree at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. His internship and residency in General Surgery were completed at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This also included a research fellowship at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI. Dr. Williams also pursued a fellowship at Duke University Medical Center in Cardiothoracic Surgery. During his last year there, he spent significant time performing Heart Transplantation, Mechanical Circulatory Support, and Advanced Aortic and Endovascular Surgery.

Contact
Department of Cardiac Surgery
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Vanderbilt Medical Center East
1215 21st Ave. South, Suite 5025
Nashville TN 37232
Phone (615) 343-9195

Patients

Department of Cardiac Surgery
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Vanderbilt Medical Center East
1215 21st Ave. South, Suite 5025
Nashville TN 37232 
Fax: (615) 936-7582

Appointments (615) 343-9195

Feel free to email me directly if needed to review a case or consult:

EMAIL: aaron.m.williams@vumc.org

WEBSITE: Department of Cardiac Surgery

WEBSITE: Vanderbilt Heart & Vascular Institute 
WEBSITE: Vanderbilt Heart Transplant