Captain Sunita Williams, NASA Astronaut and Local Needham Hero, Visits Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham
Sharing Lessons on Resilience and Teamwork
Needham, MA — Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham (BID Needham) was honored to welcome NASA astronaut Captain Sunita Williams for a hospital-wide staff appreciation event on August 14. During her visit, Williams met with patients and spoke with staff about the importance of resilience, especially in the face of unexpected challenges. The event was made possible by the Martin Family Coaching Program, a workforce development initiative established by Sonal Ullman, MD, Founder of the Martin Family Coaching Program and Chief, BID Needham Division of Gastroenterology, through a philanthropic gift made in honor of a late patient, Dana Martin, in 2022.
“We are committed to investing in our workforce and giving our staff the tools and experiences to grow in their careers. Hearing Sunita share her extraordinary experience in space with our staff was truly inspiring. Her story resonated deeply as we reflect on our own resilience and the everyday challenges we face in our work as a community hospital,” said John Fogarty, president, BID Needham. “We appreciate Sunita’s engagement with our patients, staff and the Needham community.”
“Staff education and development is an important piece of caring for our providers,” said Sonal Ullman, MD. “Embracing challenges, learning about and using tools to deal with adversity, and fostering perseverance are all essential to preparing today’s workforce for the opportunities of tomorrow.”
In remarks to staff at BID Needham, Williams mentioned she was once a candy striper at the hospital when she was younger. She reflected on her experience and shared wisdom about what it takes to be resilient, including getting rest when needed to be prepared to undertake tough jobs. Williams also shared how her experience reinforced the value of being a team. “Stopping and listening to see how somebody else would solve the problem allowed us to find the best solution. The relationships we have are better than the accomplishments we do,” said Williams.
While at the hospital, Williams visited with patients being treated at the Lank Cancer Center located at BID Needham and in the hospital’s Endoscopy department.
Williams was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1998 and is a veteran of three space missions, Expeditions 14/15, 32/33 and 71/72. NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, for its first crewed flight, arriving at the International Space Station on June 6. Following the agency’s decision to return Starliner uncrewed, the duo became Expedition 71/72 crewmembers and returned home in March 2025 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Williams has completed 62 hours and 6 minutes of total spacewalk time over the course of her career, the most of any female astronaut, and fourth on NASA’s all-time list. Williams has logged 608 days in space over her three flights.
Williams considers Needham, Massachusetts to be her hometown. She graduated from Needham High School in 1983. She received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Science from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1987 and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1995.
Captain Sunita Williams, NASA astronaut, visits Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham and meets with staff and community members.
About Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham
Beth Israel Deaconess-Needham (BID Needham) is a licensed 73-bed acute care community hospital. BID Needham has served residents in Needham and surrounding communities for more than 100 years. The hospital has been recognized by several organizations for quality and safety, including five-out-of-five stars from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), an “A” grade from the Leapfrog Group, the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission and the 2019 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Quality Achievement Award.
Beth Israel Deaconess-Needham is part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, a health care system that brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals, more than 4,700 physicians and 39,000 employees in a shared mission to expand access to great care and advance the science and practice of medicine through groundbreaking research and education.
