How CBH’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Samuel Williams III, Found His Purpose in Psychiatry
Dr. Samuel Williams III’s path to becoming Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Community Behavioral Health (CBH) is one marked by compassion, resilience, and a deeply personal connection to mental health care. His interest in medicine began early, driven by a fascination with science and a desire to help others. As a child, he dreamed of becoming a heart surgeon. But at 13, his life took a turn that would quietly shape his future. When his mother experienced a severe mental health crisis, he witnessed firsthand the challenges of navigating the mental health system. Though the experience was difficult, it gave him a unique understanding of what families face when a loved one is struggling.
“Having someone close to you dealing with mental health challenges was very eye-opening,” he said. “As the oldest of three siblings, I had to grow up quickly. That experience shaped how I see people and the importance of empathy.”
Initially, Dr. Williams resisted psychiatry, believing it would be too personal. Yet during medical school, he discovered that his first-hand experience and calming nature allowed people to open up to him easily. What once felt too close to home became a calling. “I realized I could make a real difference in people’s lives,” he said, reflecting on the moment his perspective shifted. Psychiatry offered him the chance to combine his scientific curiosity with his lived experience, shaping him into a physician who leads with both intellect and compassion.
Dr. Williams’s sense of purpose is rooted in his heritage. Born in New York to Liberian parents, he spent much of his childhood in Liberia. “My ancestors were among those who left the U.S. and built a new home,” he explained. “Growing up there, I saw the challenges of a developing country—social and economic struggles, but also resilience. That inspired me to want to help people live better lives.”
He earned his medical degree at Ross University School of Medicine, an MBA from Indiana University Kelley School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree in biological science from St. John’s University. After completing his medical training in Michigan, Dr. Williams dedicated his career to serving communities through public behavioral health systems in Michigan, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. He focused on child and adolescent psychiatry, believing that many mental illnesses, including trauma-related disorders and depression, often begin in adolescence. Early intervention, he knew, could change the trajectory of a young person’s life.
His interest in how care is delivered led him to pursue a degree in business, expanding his understanding of how to drive change on a larger scale. That combination of clinical expertise and strategic insight eventually brought him to CBH, where he felt immediately at home and was drawn to its mission.
“CBH has long been a pillar of the behavioral health system in Philadelphia, and the model from a national standpoint is very unique,” he said. “To a certain extent, yes, CBH is a managed care company. But it also has a position—being closely aligned with the Department of Behavioral Health and the city as a whole and being an intricate part of that system to deliver healthcare to our members.” That alignment, combined with CBH’s mission of expanding access and improving care, made it the place where he believed he could have the greatest impact.
As CBH’s new CMO, Dr. Williams is guiding the organization toward a whole-person approach, recognizing that mental health is deeply connected to physical health. Building on CBH’s longstanding role in Philadelphia’s behavioral health system, he is focused on strengthening partnerships with physical health providers, expanding access, improving quality, and ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.
Through data-driven strategies and innovative care models, Dr. Williams is working to make the system more seamless for members and addressing challenges. Looking ahead, his vision is clear: to ensure every member receives coordinated, high-quality, and accessible care, with CBH leading the way in integrating behavioral and physical health for a healthier Philadelphia.
