In Memory Of
Founding Partner and Physical Therapist
Patrick R. Williams is a co-founder of Premier Physical Therapy and Sports Performance, LLC, in Middletown, Del. A Delaware native and long-time resident, Williams is widely known for his positive involvement with the Middletown community, through volunteer activities as well as in his professional practice.
Williams holds both a Master of Physical Therapy degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Science from the University of Delaware, whose graduate school of physical therapy is rated second in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” He also is an Orthopaedic Certified Specialist. This elite credential from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties signifies in-depth knowledge and skills in orthopaedic physical therapy.
In twenty years of professional practice, he has treated thousands of physical therapy patients, including many of Middletown’s school-age athletes. When Middletown gained its first physical therapy clinic, Williams was one of the first to serve as its director. For the ten years following, he was its site manager.
Williams takes pride in offering the best of care to every patient. Out and about in the community, he finds great satisfaction in encountering patients who are regaining the ability to function at home, work, or on the field of play.
In conjunction with the University of Delaware Department of Physical Therapy, Williams has co-authored two prominent research articles published in peer-reviewed journals. One article, “Reflex inhibition of the quadriceps femoris muscle after injury or reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament,” was published in the prestigious Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. “Involvement with cutting-edge research allows me to focus on a scientific approach to treating my patients,” said Williams.
Williams developed the 5K Run/Walk that coordinates with the annual Peach Festival in Middletown. The race, embraced by the region’s running community and high school athletes, has generated nearly $60,000 over nineteen years. Proceeds have helped organizations including Middletown High School Sports Boosters, the Middletown, Odessa and Townsend Senior Center, and Habitat for Humanity. From the first race to this day, Williams has directed and coordinated all pre-race activities and been involved in race management on site.
A Delaware Youth Soccer coach, Williams has worked on a volunteer basis with soccer players from kindergarten age through high school, for the past twenty years. He has served the Middletown, Odessa and Townsend Delaware Soccer Club in the capacity of head coach, board president, and age group commissioner. From 2000 to 2002, he was vice president of the Delaware Youth Soccer Association, the governing body for youth soccer for Delaware as sanctioned by US Youth Soccer Association. In 2009 he was named Girls Competitve Coach of the Year for DYSA.
Williams continually enriches his knowledge with professional education. In addition to “Clinical Reasoning in Differential Diagnosis,” courses have included back education training, functional orthopedics, examination and treatment of myofascial pain, shoulder rehabilitation, and more.
Patrick peacefully passed away in March 2021 and is survived by his wife Barb and his daughters, Erin, Alli, and Megan. He will never be forgotten and his spirit and passion live on through Premier PT.
