R. Clay Williams, D.O.

My Road to Tyler, Texas…

To start off with, I would like to convey just how excited I am that my family and I are residing in Tyler, Texas. The last several years have been spectacular, and God has truly blessed us. I am so fortunate to be serving the greater Tyler region with such a solid group of urologists. In fact, Smith County residents are lucky to have access to some of Texas’ best hospitals and physicians. To all of the people/patients I have personally had the honor to serve, to you who have trusted me with yourself or perhaps a loved one, I would like to simply say, “thank you.” We all tend to get ourselves into a “daily routine,” or even perhaps a “rut,” but I am reminded daily of my role as a provider, as an extension of God’s hand to heal…sometimes a counselor, a confidant…a friend. For those of us in medicine, we are in a unique position. Our jobs are a bit different than others…we are involved with people on very personal, deep, and sometimes awkward levels, and I take my role in patients’ lives very seriously and hope to always offer the best I can. I love serving others and truly enjoy practicing urology.

Born in Texarkana, Texas, in 1970, and being raised by two college professors, I am not sure I had much choice in whether I was going to college or not. Since no one in my family was a physician and because I was never “told” to become a doctor, I am not sure exactly why I gave up childhood dreams of becoming a policeman or astronaut….but I have wanted to be a doctor (specifically a surgeon) for as long as I can remember. My parents served as role models for teaching me to study hard and be the best I could. And they always surrounded me with people and experiences that built upon those high ideals. I became an Eagle Scout at 14, a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow (Boy Scouts…with given Indian name of Allogagan, “he who serves”), and rededicated my life to Christ around the same time.

After finishing the pre-med course work at Stephen F Austin State University, I interviewed at several medical schools but found that I seemed to align myself with the philosophy and ideals of osteopathic medicine (“DO”). Unlike traditional medical degrees (“MD”), DO’s embraced more of a holistic approach to medicine and surgery, and believed in treating the patient, not the disease. Four years later, I graduated valedictorian from the University of North Texas Health Science Center (TCOM). I now had it set in my mind that I was headed towards general/trauma surgical training at the University of Arkansas…but God had other plans. In just two months of general surgery internship, I was miserable…not just from long hours, sleep deprivation, and constant reminding of how stupid interns were, but miserable as in I had chosen incorrectly. My wife and I prayed a lot that year, and God answered by placing me into a urology rotation. I had found my calling! Urology offered medical knowledge/surgery using a vast array of instruments and technologies; interesting and complex cases; state-of-the-art endoscopy/laparoscopy; neurosciences; pelvic floor reconstruction, prostate/men’s health; erectile dysfunction; male and female incontinence…all with very little to no overlap with any other specialty. And it was unique in that urologists did not just perform a one-time surgery—because urology was so broad of a science, it seemed that most of their patients often times had 2-3 urological issues. This meant the doctors were able to build lasting relationships with their patients.

Again with many prayers, God once again answered and I soon found myself in a urology residency training position.

After 6 years of residency, I was once again blessed by finding a job opportunity back in the Piney Woods of East Texas near my alma mater. In 2005, my family and I moved to Tyler, Texas. I am delighted to still be serving the region. My Christian faith, my upbringing, several mentors throughout life, my medical and residency training—all have molded me, and I continue to believe in the DO/Osteopathic philosophy of “treat the patient, not the disease.”

Although still practicing general urology, I tend to focus and have become a regional expert in both male and female pelvic floor medicine/disorders such as erectile dysfunction/penile prosthetics/Peyronies’ disease; female vaginal/bladder prolapse as well as both male and female incontinence and treatments. I also have a keen interest in testosterone replacement therapy, nutrition, healthy lifestyles, peptides, and BPH (enlarge prostate) treatments using lasers or in-office procedures such as Rezum.