From Adversity To Leadership: Meet Dr. Garfee T. Williams, Chief Medical Officer of ArcelorMittal Liberia
Dr. Garfee Williams’s journey from a war-disrupted education to a position of medical leadership is an inspiring story of perseverance and dedication. As the Chief Medical Officer of ArcelorMittal Liberia, he exemplifies remarkable resilience, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes for employees and the community. His story is a beacon of hope and motivation for aspiring medical professionals in Liberia and beyond.
Dr. Williams has always aspired to be a doctor. He focused diligently on his studies and became the only candidate from Harper, Maryland County, where he hails, to pass the entrance exams for the University of Liberia in 1982. After dedicating four years to earning a bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Zoology and Chemistry, he embarked on a five-year journey to become a medical doctor. However, his education was interrupted during his second year by the outbreak of the Liberian Civil War in 1990. Faced with one of the most significant shocks of their lives, he and many others encountered a major crossroads on their path to becoming medical doctors. Before the war, his class had over 20 students, but only eight returned when classes resumed and completed their course of study as an MD spanning over nine years. Dr. Williams remained undeterred by this setback and demonstrated remarkable resilience and hard work to achieve his dream.
He completed his medical training and studied abroad in Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Belgium, where he further refined his knowledge & skills before eventually returning to Phebe Hospital & School of Nursing, where it all started for him.
Dr. Williams began his career at Phebe Hospital and School of Nursing, where he worked for 16 years, rising from a student-doctor volunteer during the civil war to a staff physician, and then the Medical Director/CEO as well as the County Health Officer (CHO) for Bong County. With his expert background in Public Health, he contributed to the USAID-funded Health Strengthening Program, led by the Ministry of Health, before joining Africare as the Health Technical Advisor (2012-2015) and later Management Sciences for Health (MSH) as the Deputy Chief of Party from 2015 to 2018. He later served as a Technical Advisor in the office of the Minister of Health (2018-2020), playing a crucial role in shaping the national healthcare system and collaborating with various health partners. His extensive experience in public health made him a valuable asset in Liberia’s medical community, and his contributions were instrumental in improving the country’s healthcare services.
In March 2020, Dr. Williams joined ArcelorMittal Liberia as its Chief Medical Officer. Just two months later, the world was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought Liberia’s, and the global economy to a standstill. As a newly appointed medical leader and public health expert, Dr. Williams was at the forefront of an unprecedented health crisis.
With exceptional leadership, he and his team navigated the challenges of the pandemic, implementing rigorous health and safety protocols to protect numerous employees and individuals in the surrounding communities. His ability to lead a team in effectively managing this crisis underscored his capabilities as a leader and team player, fostering diverse partnerships for medical & public health services.
At ArcelorMittal Liberia, Dr. Williams operates in a challenging environment where quality and expertise are critical for life-saving decisions. His background and journey will inspire young Liberians interested in medicine and those seeking concrete examples of how to navigate the disruptions caused by civil war and economic hardship to achieve their goals. With education and determination, success is indeed possible!
Dr. Williams’ story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and leadership. At ArcelorMittal Liberia, he has found a place where challenges fuel growth and expertise is valued. “If you are looking for a career that allows you to make an impact, push boundaries, and be part of a company that values autonomy and innovation, ArcelorMittal Liberia is where you need to be,” Dr. Williams proudly said.