From Covenant Health Parkwest
At Covenant Health, we know expert care starts with compassionate people. That’s why we’re proud to spotlight K. Robert Williams, Jr., MD, a board-certified bariatric and general surgeon at Covenant Health Parkwest and New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery in Knoxville, TN. With over 3,000 weight-loss surgeries performed, Dr. Williams brings experience, skill and heart to every patient he serves.
Dr. Williams leads the comprehensive bariatric program at Covenant Health Parkwest, offering sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and revisional procedures. He explains, “We offer all kinds of support. While some centers limit their procedures, we provide everything, including medical weight-loss management. We have a dietitian and exercise physiologist right in the office.”
Bariatric Surgeon Dr. K. Robert Williams, Jr.
Why He Chose Medicine
Dr. Williams’s journey into medicine began with personal experience. He recalls, “I never thought about being a doctor until I was injured playing football in high school. I had emergency surgery and spent two weeks in the hospital. It was frightening, but I was amazed by what they did for me. That was when I started thinking this would be a really cool thing to do.”
At first, he didn’t plan to specialize in bariatrics. “I started learning it because it was the most difficult thing you could do laparoscopically,” he says. “I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. After a year or two, I really liked the procedures, and the impact it has on patients’ lives is amazing.”
The Life Changing Impact of Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Williams has seen firsthand how bariatric surgery can transform lives. He recalls one patient who came in for a consultation to improve his quality of life. Weighing over 600 pounds, that patient couldn’t fit into a car and had to make special travel arrangements. Day-to-day tasks were difficult, and he was ready to make a change. Dr. Williams shared, “A few months after surgery, he walked into the office smiling and said, ‘I drove myself here today.’ That’s the kind of moment that reminds me why I do this.”
The Pursuit of Excellence
Committed to staying current with medical advancements, Dr. Williams regularly attends conferences and reads medical journals. He attends the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery’s annual meeting, and he enjoys learning about advancements and growing his skills with the surgical robot. “I’ve been using the surgical robot for more complex cases at Parkwest and plan to use it for patients seeking additional surgical revisions.”
Offering high-quality, consistent patient care is one of Dr. Williams’ biggest priorities. He explains, “Once I’ve operated on someone, they’re always my patient. We don’t just operate and move on. We’re there through the thick and thin.”
Dr. Williams credits Covenant Health Parkwest’s team for making excellent care possible, stating, “The entire staff at Parkwest is well-rounded, which is important when caring for a surgical patient. Critical care, pulmonology, and all of the medical specialties are fully staffed around the clock, ensuring our patients always have access to the care they need. The staff is all here to put our patients first.”
Life Beyond the Operating Room
Outside of work, Dr. Williams is a licensed pilot, and he is a proud dad to his two daughters. He enjoys fishing, hiking, and spending time outdoors. “On a bad day, I think about being out on a trout stream. It helps me reset.”
Your Next Step Starts Here
If you’re considering weight-loss surgery or want to learn more about our New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery bariatric program at Parkwest Covenant Health, we can help. Request an appointment online with Dr. Williams today or call our New Life Bariatric office at (865) 694-9676.
You’re invited to join us at Parkwest for the upcoming “New Year, New Life with Weight Loss Surgery” seminar on January 27.