Mike Williams, trauma systems pioneer, dies at 72

Mike Williams, a pioneer in the development of organized trauma systems, died on September 25, 2023, at the age of 72.

Mike was best known as founder of The Abaris Group, a consulting firm that specializes in EMS and trauma care systems. In the course of more than 40 years, Mike’s firm completed over 300 projects in the fields of EMS, trauma, emergency department optimization and other areas.

Former colleague Bill Bullard, MBA, EFO, CFO, founder of Healthcare Strategists, called Mike a major influence on and benefactor of EMS and trauma care in North America.

“Mike discovered his love for EMS while growing up in Michigan,” Bullard said. “He realized that he could save more lives by moving into EMS leadership and influencing the care of all providers than by working on an ambulance.”

Mike’s first management jobs were as the EMS Director for Imperial and Orange Counties, California, from 1974-1980.

“In Orange County, Mike recognized the need for organized trauma care,” Bullard said. “He established the first formal trauma system in the United States, creating a network of trauma centers covering the entire county.”

Throughout his career, Mike served on several editorial and professional society boards, published hundreds of articles and spoke at numerous national conferences.

“Some of his proudest accomplishments include creating dozens of new trauma centers, formalizing EMS systems, teaching emergency department design at Harvard, serving as Senior Faculty to The Robert Johnson Foundation, working with the Los Angeles Olympics EMS service, and being a charter member of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians,” Bullard said. “The lives saved by Mike Williams are incalculable.”

Mike is survived by his wife and business partner, Juliana Boyle. A memorial scholarship in honor of Mike has been established at the Department of Economics at the University of New Mexico. To contribute to the scholarship, visit the UNM Department of Economics Donation Page and click “Donate to the Gerald and Vivian Boyle Memorial Graduate Student Award”.