UF health communications executive elected to post for national organization

Rhona Williams, assistant vice president for health affairs communications at the University of Florida Health Science Center, recently was elected to serve as vice chair of public relations for the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Group on Institutional Advancement. This appointment marks the first time an African-American has been elected to a vice chair position of the group.

As vice chair, Williams will serve on the steering committee that manages the Group on Institutional Advancement, the professional development organization representing more than 1,000 professionals in public relations, marketing, alumni and development fields at medical schools and academic health centers. Through mentoring and education of its members, the group strives to enhance endeavors to build awareness and support for medical education, health care and biomedical research.

During her yearlong tenure, Williams’ responsibilities will include overseeing coordination of an awards program, providing public relations programming oversight for the AAMC annual meeting, advising regional chairs on recruitment initiatives, and directing special public relations programs and workshops.

Williams, who joined UF in May 1996, has been an active member of the group for 10 years. She also serves on the National Communications Synergy Committee, a panel of senior institutional advancement officers advising the AAMC on its campaign to build public awareness of the importance of medical schools and academic health centers.

The AAMC is a nonprofit association comprising the 125 accredited U.S. medical schools; the 16 accredited Canadian medical schools; more than 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 70 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; nearly 90 academic and professional societies representing 75,000 faculty members; and the nation's medical students and residents.