IU President’s Medal awarded to opera star, pioneer in medical records systems

IU President Michael McRobbie awarded world-renowned operatic soprano and former IU voice professor Camilla Williams and Clement J. McDonald, distinguished professor emeritus and a pioneer in electronic medical record systems, with the President's Medal for Excellence on Friday in Indianapolis.

The awards were given to Williams and McDonald in recognition of their excellence in service, achievement and leadership.

Williams has received worldwide acclaim, notably for being the first African-American soprano to perform professionally in mainstream theater and opera companies.  Some of her credits include major roles in “Madame Butterfly” in 1946 and her signature character Cio-Cio-San in the Vienna State Opera.

She sang the national anthem the year of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and was the first African-American professor at a Beijing conservatory.

McDonald is known worldwide for his work to improve health care through developing computer-stored medical records systems.

He has been a leader in the development of the medical informatics standards needed to transmit patient data from source systems to electronic medical records and research databases.

He also helped develop Health Level 7 standards and Logical Observation Identifier Names and Codes, which guide electronic data interchange in health care and code various clinical observations, respectively.

The President's Medal for Excellence is worn by the president at ceremonial occasions. Criteria for recipients include distinction in public service, service to IU, achievement in a profession and/or extraordinary merit and achievement in the arts, humanities, science, education and industry.