Lelia Errett Williams, known as Errett, carries a name that reflects a long-standing family tradition. Although Errett is her middle name, it is the name she has always used. The name itself comes from the surname of a great-great-great grandparent. Interestingly, both of her parents also went by their middle names and passed the tradition on to all of their children.
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Errett spent the first ten years of her life there with her parents and two older brothers. In 2003, her family relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, where she spent her teenage years and developed many of the interests that continue to shape her life today.
Growing up in a household led by two ministers and scholars within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination, Errett spent much of her childhood in and around churches. Some of her favorite memories involve exploring historic church buildings with friends and discovering hidden corners where they could play Pokémon cards and share spooky stories. Church life also provided opportunities for travel, as many denominational conferences took place outside the United States. Through these experiences, Errett visited several countries across Europe and South America at a young age, sparking a lifelong fascination with languages, cultures, and global perspectives.
That curiosity eventually accompanied her to the University of Chicago, where she pursued her undergraduate education. Drawn to both science and service, Errett chose a path toward medicine because she enjoyed biology and wanted to apply her interests in a way that would directly help others. During college, she also explored courses outside her primary field, including archaeology. One course focused on human skeletal anatomy and evolution, requiring students to identify bone fragments based on anatomical landmarks. Looking back, Errett recognizes that experience as an early influence on her eventual interest in radiology, where careful attention to anatomical detail plays a central role.
Errett’s journey to Cincinnati Children’s was shaped in large part by the mentorship she received during her training at Baylor Scott & White. One of her associate program directors, Dr. Krista Birkemeier, a former Cincinnati Children’s fellow, strongly encouraged her to consider the program. Alongside Dr. Matt Crisp and Dr. Jose Santiago, Dr. Birkemeier helped cultivate Errett’s enthusiasm for pediatric radiology from the very beginning of residency. Their guidance, support, and encouragement played an important role in her professional development and helped solidify her passion for the specialty.
Outside of medicine, Errett enjoys a wide range of interests that reflect her naturally curious personality. She spends her free time studying foreign languages, taking long walks while listening to audiobooks, and indoor rock climbing. She is also an enthusiastic collector of houseplants and enjoys caring for her diverse group of pets, which includes a cat, a parrot, and pet fish. Notably, all of them made the long road trip with her from Texas to Ohio.
When it comes to books and films, Errett especially enjoys stories that leave a lasting impression. The most recent book she completed was Heart the Lover by Lily King, a novel she describes as moving enough to bring her to tears multiple times. The last movie she watched was Project Hail Mary—a fitting choice, given that it is also the book she is currently reading.
Errett’s curiosity, dedication, and enthusiasm have guided her journey from Indianapolis to Texas and now to Cincinnati, where she continues to pursue her passion for pediatric radiology and lifelong learning.
Glenn Miñano is a media specialist in the Department of Radiology, providing graphic design, photography, printing, video services, and administration of the department’s online properties. His works have been published in several medical articles, such as the American Journal of Radiology and the American Institute of Ultrasound. He has been providing these services to the Radiology Department since 1996.
Editor: Meredith Towbin
