WILLIAMSBURG — After a long career at William & Mary caring for thousands of student-athletes and navigating the pandemic to allow the school’s teams to compete, Virginia Wells, M.D., is retiring at the end of the year. She began her career at W&M as Director of the Student Health Center 21 years ago and was named Chief Medical Officer for Athletics in 2019.
“It truly is the end of an era with Dr. Wells’ departure,” says Brian D. Mann, Director of Athletics. “As Chief Medical Officer for Athletics, Dr. Wells is critical to ensuring that Athletics is providing the best medical care for our 500-plus student-athletes, who rely on her every single day. Her compassion and consummate knowledge will be greatly missed, as well as her advice and counsel to me about what is best for our student-athletes.”
Dr. Wells will leave her post with the knowledge that she changed the trajectory of the lives of many young people. “Many times I was the first person to see the student-athletes when they arrived on campus as scared freshmen and it was wonderful to watch their transition to mature and polished seniors,” she said. “It’s a privilege to be connected to the young people at William & Mary.”
Upon learning of her upcoming retirement, the executive board of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee emphasized their affection for Dr. Wells as a doctor, friend and advocate. “Dr. Wells has been the heartbeat of Tribe Athletics — a trusted physician, loyal supporter, and constant source of energy. Her care and spirit have touched every William & Mary team and athlete. Known for her compassion, professionalism, and humor, she made every student-athlete feel valued — in recovery, in victory, and in everyday moments. Dr. Wells embodies the Tribe’s values of excellence, integrity, and community. Her legacy will live on in the athletes she’s healed, encouraged, and inspired. Thank you, Dr. Wells. Enjoy your well-earned retirement — filled with laughter, sunshine, and plenty of golf.”
Head Football Coach Mike London also chimed in with his regard for Dr. Wells. “Dr. Virginia Wells is one of the finest people I know. Her care for others was always her primary concern. I will miss her as a professional and as a friend!”
When the pandemic hit in 2020, Dr. Wells’ background in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases was invaluable. “During COVID, we competed the entire time and didn’t miss a beat,” she says. “The trainers became an extension of me and helped keep our teams going during that time. I was also able to support the university with its response.”
As she nears her departure from W&M, Dr. Wells says that while she is leaving her job, she is not leaving her profession. “I can’t turn off my love for medicine, so I still have to practice, but not every day!” she says. Her plans include working occasionally at a local clinic and volunteering at free clinics in the Williamsburg area.
Much of her retirement will be spent indulging several of her greatest passions — golf, travelling and music. Her music taste is eclectic and spans all genres with Blues and Jazz as personal favorites. To this day she has all of her father’s old vinyl records and while she played clarinet and sax in order to be part of her brother’s band, she is now turning her attention to piano. “My daughter Kelsey says I have rotating obsessions,” she says.
Dr. Wells also intends to spend plenty of time on the golf course. Her son Trevor introduced her to the game and the former student-athlete in tennis and basketball found a new favorite. With a handicap of 7, she has plenty of foursome requests. “I’m ready to start enjoying all of my favorite activities every day.”
A native of Houston, Dr. Wells, attended Austin College and received a B.A. degree in biology before earning a medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch. She completed an Internal Medicine Residency and was Chief Resident at the Medical College of Virginia, followed by an Infectious Diseases Fellowship there. She then entered private practice in Williamsburg for 10 years prior to joining W&M in 2004.
