From Foster Care to Field of Dreams: Charles Williams’ Journey to GBMC and Beyond

At GBMC, we take pride in the people who make our organization run smoothly. Charles Williams, a dedicated supply and equipment technician, is one of those special individuals. With more than 15 years of service, Charles has become a key member of the GBMC family, but his story reaches far beyond the walls of our hospital. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Charles grew up in the foster care system. Life presented many challenges, but through it all, Charles found solace and motivation in sports. He played basketball at Georgia State University, but his time on the court was cut short when he flunked out of school. “It was a tough lesson, but I learned that failure doesn’t define you. It’s about how you come back,” Charles reflects.

His comeback story began in 2008 when he took a temporary job at GBMC, working for Mary Lou Smith, Manager of Surgical Materials and Billing. “I was just trying to make ends meet,” he recalls. Mary Lou saw something in him and, after two months, offered him a permanent role. “She changed my life,” he says. “GBMC has been my home ever since.”

While Charles found stability in his work at GBMC, he also discovered a new passion outside of the hospital: umpiring Little League baseball. In 2012, a newspaper article about Little League caught his attention. Intrigued, he signed up for classes and soon found himself behind the plate, calling balls and strikes. What started as a hobby quickly became a way to give back to the community, providing mentorship and guidance to young athletes.

His dedication to the sport recently took him to Cooperstown, the heart of baseball history. For one week, Charles had the incredible opportunity to umpire games and lead skills drills at the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. “It was like stepping into a dream,” he says. “Every day, I umpired two to three games and worked with kids during the drills. The energy was contagious. It reminded me of how sports can bring people together, just like teamwork here at GBMC.”

Charles' journey from foster care, through personal setbacks, to becoming a respected member of both the GBMC and Little League communities is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of second chances. “I’ve had some bumps in the road, but I’m proud of where I am today,” he shares. And we, at GBMC, are proud to call Charles Williams one of our own.

Charles continues to inspire on and off the field, showing us all that with perseverance and heart, we can truly make a difference—no matter where life starts us or how many times we fall along the way.