Title: Clinical Professor of Research
Company: Washington State University
Location: Kaneohe, Hawaii, United States
William Douglas Bush Hiller, MD, Clinical Professor of Research at Washington State University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Orthopedic Surgery and Medical Research.
Dr. Hiller’s distinguished career, which spans more than 35 years, reflects a profound commitment to advancing orthopedic medicine and sports health on a global scale. Since 2019, he has served as a clinical professor of research at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University. In this capacity, Dr. Hiller co-directs the global triathlon safety database with Christopher Connolly, PhD, overseeing the collection and analysis of injury and mortality data from World Triathlon. Their efforts have resulted in six international publications that have helped set new standards for athlete health worldwide.
Before devoting himself fully to academia and research, Dr. Hiller practiced as an orthopedic surgeon at Whitman Hospital & Medical Clinics in Colfax, Washington, from 2017 to 2024. Earlier, his clinical pursuits included over 15 years as an orthopedic surgeon at North Hawaii Community Hospital, now Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital, part of The Queen’s Health Systems Corporation, in Kamuela, Hawaii. He was also a partner at Orthopedic Associates of Hawaii in Honolulu. Dr. Hiller notably began his career practicing medicine in Wyoming for one year before relocating to Hawaii. His early work included providing care to residents of the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Dr. Hiller garnered significant success as a faculty member and clinical researcher at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii. Other academic appointments included founding and directing the primary care sports medicine fellowship at the University of Hawaii from 1992 to 1996 and serving as the director of the foot and ankle section of the orthopedic surgery residency program. Earlier, Dr. Hiller provided medical care as team doctor for women’s athletic teams between 1991 and 1996, after initially holding an appointment as an assistant clinical professor from 1990 to 1996.
Dr. Hiller’s expertise extends into international sports medicine. Since 1983, he has served as a research coordinator for the medical team with the IRONMAN Group, a role that has allowed him to pioneer research on athlete health during endurance events. Dr. Hiller contributed to landmark discoveries, such as identifying hyponatremia during the 1984 IRONMAN World Championship and cardiac fatigue in athletes, findings that have influenced treatment protocols globally.
Having previously held significant roles with major sporting organizations, Dr. Hiller served as a medical doctor at three Olympic Games, including Sydney, Australia, in 2000, Athens, Greece, in 2004 and Beijing, China, in 2008, and as a medical official at two Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016 and Tokyo, Japan, in 2020. As a medical official for World Triathlon, formerly the International Triathlon Union, Dr. Hiller played a pivotal role in developing medical guidelines for triathlon events worldwide.
Dr. Hiller’s academic foundation began with a Bachelor of Arts in physics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1974. Notably, his undergraduate studies included pre-medical coursework on campus and recognition as a collegiate swimmer. He then earned a Doctor of Medicine from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in 1981. From there, Dr. Hiller completed a research fellowship at Pennsylvania Hospital with Penn Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1982, followed by a fellowship in sports medicine at Duke University Medical Center within Duke University Health System and a surgery fellowship from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, both completed in 1989. After acquiring his medical degree, Dr. Hiller acquired medical licenses in Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Washington and Hawaii.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hiller maintained professional affiliations with several organizations, such as the World Triathlon Medical Committee as a co-founder, chair and vice chair. Today, he remains a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Dr. Hiller’s civic engagement includes serving as a medical volunteer for the IRONMAN Group and providing free medical services to those without access to specialized care.
An accomplished writer, Dr. Hiller’s publications included co-authoring “Triathlon Medical Coverage: A Guide for Medical Directors,” co-authoring “Immunohistochemical Evidence for IgE Involvement in Graves’ Orbitopathy,” and authoring “Lead Medical and Physiological Considerations in Triathlons.” His writing contributions reflect his devotion to research as a leading authority in his field.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hiller has distinguished himself through unwavering devotion to both his patients and profession. He is recognized for delivering exceptional care to underserved populations, spending nearly three decades serving communities with limited access to specialized medical services, and for his willingness to address challenging issues within healthcare. Among Dr. Hiller’s proudest achievements have been his leadership as the head doctor for an international Olympic sport, a distinction that placed him at the forefront of global athletic health, and his advocacy work that led to Hawaii becoming the first state to mandate full-time certified athletic trainers in all public high schools by September 1, 1999. This legislative milestone was driven by his concern for student-athletes’ safety and remains unique among U.S. states.
Dr. Hiller’s contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, such as induction into the Hall of Fame with the Michel Gignoux Award by World Triathlon in 2019 and the Multisports Award from USA Triathlon in 2024. His professional excellence was further reflected in a feature article in a 2019 edition of Hawaii Business Magazine.
At the core of Dr. Hiller’s identity is fierce independence balanced by deep compassion, a legacy shaped by inspiration drawn from his father’s organized intellect and his mother’s empathy, as well as an independent spirit that compels him to address difficult topics within healthcare openly. Looking ahead, he hopes to share his legacy by inspiring future physicians with his passion for genuine patient-centered care and impactful research, encouraging transparency regarding risks and benefits within international triathlons so that it may become a model sport for openness worldwide.
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