Dr. Walton is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, and the Section Chief for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Walton is also the Cross Inter-Professional Collaborative Director of Health Impact at the Mailman Center for Child Development (a university center of excellence in developmental disabilities). Dr. Walton specializes in the identification and management of children with various developmental and behavioral challenges. Dr. Walton champions the rights of individuals with disabilities to access healthcare, education, and employment. Dr. Walton facilitates the developmental behavioral pediatrics (DBP) resident rotation and is a faculty member of the Mailman Center’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) program, teaching interdisciplinary trainees on health equity, disability, and intersectionality. At the national level Dr. Walton is a member of the executive committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Section on Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, and a member of the professional advisory board for the Williams Syndrome Association. Dr. Walton is a member of a working group on developing international guidelines for management of individuals with Williams syndrome. Dr. Walton previously served as a member of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics’ (SDBP) Board of Directors and on the executive committee of the Pediatric Section of the National Medical Association (NMA), including as a past Section Chair. Dr. Walton was a member of the Committee on Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Youth through Health Care System Transformation from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), that in 2024 published the Launching Lifelong Health by Improving Health Care for Children, Youth, and Families. Dr. Walton was the recipient of the SDBP Mid-Career Award in September 2024. Dr. Walton earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (now called NEOMED), completed her pediatrics residency from the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, completed her fellowship at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and earned her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.
The NMA extends our appreciation to Philander Smith University and all who joined today’s Town Hall & Luncheon focused on the health needs of Americans in the Deep South.
We are grateful for the leadership of 126th NMA President Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD, and the powerful discussions on Medicaid access, violence prevention, rural health, and strengthening our healthcare workforce.
Thank you to the advocates, students, and community partners working to advance health equity across Arkansas and the Deep South. Together, we are making an impact.
#NMA #DeepSouthHealth #HealthEquity #CommunityImpact #PublicHealth #NMALeadership
Join the NMA for an important webinar: “The Rural 50 – Ensuring Access in Rural America”
🗓️ December 9, 2025
⏰ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
We’ll explore the impact of the new rural health fund under HR1, current implementation, political focus on rural health, and how YOU can get involved in addressing rural health disparities.
🎙️ Featuring:
• Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD – NMA 126th President
• Sara Singleton – Leavitt Partners
• Kathleen Nolan – Health Management Associates (HMA)
• Susan Ward Jones, MD – CEO, East Arkansas Family Health Center, Inc.
Secure your spot today! 🔗 https://bit.ly/3Mfar3t
#NMA #RuralHealth #HealthEquity #AccessToCare #PublicHealth
❤️🎄 Holiday Heart Health Awareness
The holiday season brings joy, but also added stress, richer foods, and changes to our routines that can put extra strain on the heart. Black communities already face higher rates of hypertension and heart disease, making heart-healthy habits even more important this time of year.
The National Medical Association encourages everyone to protect their heart this season by:
✔️ Managing stress and prioritizing rest
✔️ Staying active — even short walks count
✔️ Choosing balanced meals and watching salt intake
✔️ Taking medications as prescribed
✔️ Limiting alcohol and avoiding smoking
Your heart deserves care during the holidays, too. 💪🏾❤️
Let’s celebrate the season while safeguarding the health of every heartbeat in our community.
#NMA #HolidayHeartHealth #HeartHealthMatters #HealthEquity #HealthyHolidays #KnowYourNumbers
💉🛡️ National Influenza Vaccination Week
📅 December 1–7, 2025
Flu season is here, and vaccination remains our best defense. Black communities continue to face higher risks of severe flu illness and complications, making prevention critical for protecting our loved ones.
The National Medical Association encourages everyone, especially older adults, pregnant people, young children, and those with chronic health conditions, to get their annual flu shot.
Here’s how you can take action this week:
✔️ Make a flu vaccination appointment for you & your family
✔️ Encourage patients and community members to stay protected
✔️ Share accurate information to combat misinformation
✔️ Stay home if you’re sick and practice healthy habits
Let’s work together to keep our communities strong, healthy, and flu-free this winter. 🧡💪🏾
#NMA #NIVW2025 #FightFlu #FluShotSavesLives #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #VaccinesWork
Across the country, pastors and ministry teams are navigating a moment where healthcare cuts, rising costs, and shifting benefits are directly impacting the families they serve. Many have shared the same concern: “We need clear guidance and tools we can use right now.”
That’s why the Cost & Coverage Collaborative (an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), the National Medical Association and REACH Beyond Solutions launched Standing in the Gap: Faith Leaders on Navigating Health, Access & Justice, a three-part webinar series specifically for the faith community. The goal is simple: equip leaders and allies of the faith community with the information, practical steps, and resources needed to help their congregations stay informed, covered, and cared for.
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE NEXT CONVERSATION: Healing in Partnership — Faith & Health Collaborations That Work, takes place Monday, December 1 at 7:30 PM ET. This conversation will spotlight faith leaders leading innovative partnerships and community health initiatives as they share what’s working, the lessons they’ve learned, and how their models can serve as blueprints for others addressing their communities’ growing health needs.
Panelists:
Rev. Cynthia Hale - Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church
Rev. Danielle Ayers - Pastor of Justice, Friendship-West Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson - Senior Pastor, The Allen Temple Baptist Church
Register today at: https://bit.ly/4p9xETp
Join a community of over 50,000 dedicated African American physicians and professionals committed to making a positive impact on healthcare. Discover the benefits of NMA membership, access professional development opportunities, and become a part of a network dedicated to advancing health equity.
National Medical Association
1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 800
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Phone: 202-347-1895
Fax: 301-495-0359
