Judith M. "Judy" Williams

Judith "Judy" M. WILLIAMS 1953 ~ 2008 Strong, independent and loving, Judith M. Williams was born 09-27-1953 in St. Paul Minnesota to David and Julia Williams. The youngest of 4 children, Judy learned independence and self management early, as her own father died when she was only 11 years old. Judy moved to Washington State in 1980 with her first husband, father of her two beloved children Matthew and Sara Warren, who were the center of her universe. Judy's first marriage ended in divorce, after which she was united with and married the love of her life Michael Knotz on Valentines Day 2004. After completing her BS in Nursing and BA in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Judy came to Seattle Children's Hospital in 1981 where she initially worked as a nurse in the Acute Care Unit. During that time she met Dr. Arnie Smith, division chief of Infectious Diseases, who convinced Judy to move into the field of clinical research. Over the next 25 years, Judy became one of the most accomplished and influential people in clinical research at the hospital. She led most of the clinical studies in both Infectious Diseases and Cystic Fibrosis in the 1980's and 1990's and trained many other research investigators and staff. During this time, she played a key role in the development of two drugs subsequently approved by the FDA for patients with CF, Pulmozyme® and TOBI®. At the same time she was a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases and was actively involved in the clinical care of the CF patients. In 1996, Judy helped establish the NIH-supported Pediatric Clinical Research Center at Seattle Children's and served as its first Nurse Manager. In 1998 she collaborated with Dr. Bonnie Ramsey to establish a nationwide clinical trials network for cystic fibrosis called the Therapeutics Development Network (TDN) along with a network Coordinating Center based at Seattle Children's. Judy continued to work on development and operations of the TDN for the next 10 years, putting in place numerous systems and procedures which allowed the network to grow to its current size of over 75 research centers nationwide. Most recently, Judy served as the Project Director for a large national clinical trial in young children with CF called the Early Pseudomonas Infection Control (EPIC) study. Because of the impact that Judy had on the conduct of clinical research in the field of cystic fibrosis, she was honored by the national Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) in 2007 with the creation of the "Judy Williams Award in Recognition of Research Coordinator Excellence." This award is presented annually to a research coordinator from any CF care center in the country who has demonstrated Judy's exceptional qualities. As noted by Dr Robert Beall, CEO and President of the CFF, Judy's "ability to teach the art as well as the science of research requires an objective eye and a compassionate heart." Always gracious, generous, and loving, Judy gave her all to patients, peers, friends and most of all her family. Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2006, Judy fought valiantly through difficult treatment. She passed away peacefully on December 28, 2008 surrounded by family and friends. Judy is survived by her husband Michael, children Sara and Matt, brothers, David and wife Alice, Dan and wife June, sister Mary Jane Clinard and husband Randy, a large extended family, dear friends and colleagues. She will be missed more than words can say. We love you Judy. A celebration of Judy's life will be held at the University of Washington's Urban Horticulture Center at 3501 NE 41st St. in Seattle on February 2, 2009 from 2:00 till 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers Judy's family request a donation be made in her name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or to daughter Sara's "walk for the cure" team @ www.relayforlife.org/northfield.