Dr. Kadija N. Williams

Dr. Kadija Ny’Omi Williams was born on April 3, 1970, in Queens, NY. The beloved daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George C Williams, Kadija, passed peacefully surrounded by her parents, family, and friends in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 17, 2021, at 5:21 am.

A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Kadija excelled in research, earning her Masters Degree and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology – Major Area of Study in Geropsychology from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, after receiving her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts from the City University of New York – Brooklyn College. Following a Psychology Internship at Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center and a Geropsychology Fellowship at North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kadija joined the VA Boston Healthcare System faculty in 2020 in the Geriatric Mental Health Clinic, where she was also appointed an Instructor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Williams was passionate about expanding access to mental health care to underserved communities, including older adults and persons of color and those who have experienced trauma. Dr. Williams’ dissertation was titled “An Entity Theory of Suicide: Understanding suicide risk from a mindset framework among younger and older adults.” She was a national leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion within psychology. She consulted with universities about anti-racism, was the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Member at Large for the Council of Professional Geropsychology Training Programs (CoPGTP), and was a diversity leader in the recent “Building Bridges” national geropsychology training conference. Dr. Williams was deeply committed to supporting older adults facing distress. She was known as a compassionate and attentive clinician, with a particular interest in supporting those with suicidal ideation and/or a history of trauma.

Her extraordinary empathy encouraged us all to be better humans.

Kadija lived a rich life by giving generously to others and helping those who needed it the most. She cared for others who couldn’t care for themselves. She was a beacon in a storm for many.

Remembered for her melodious voice and her bright smile that warmed the hearts of all who knew her, Dr. Kadija Ny’Omi Williams is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George C. Williams, her godchildren to whom she was a mother-figure, Stacey Jenkins II, Jessica Jenkins Alexander, Claude, and Ariana; her cousins: Jeanne Agi, Dr. Sunni Rumsey-Amatullah, Linda Anderson, Ph.D., Donna Delfyett-White, Barbara Delfyett Hester, Peter John Delfyett, Jr., Ph.D., Christopher Delfyett, Dr. William Delfyett, Karen M. Delfyett, Esq, Amy Delfyett Johns, Esq, and a host of family members. In addition, she will be missed by her best friends, Audra Boltion-Ortiz and Michael Domenech, sorority sisters, friends, and professional colleagues.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frederick-fh.com for the Williams family.