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 National Medical Association (NMA) is proud to share the Second World Congress on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, a hybrid event bringing together health professionals and leaders from around the world to address one of the most urgent challenges of our time: racial and ethnic health inequities.
📅 January 27–31, 2026
This event is designed to unite experts, advocates, and changemakers to discuss health disparities and explore real solutions to drive equity forward.
✅ Register today: https://web.cvent.com/event/b5f50d2b-37a1-427a-9710-b95becb9e9a6/summary
Let’s keep pushing toward a future where quality healthcare is accessible for every community, everywhere.
#NMA #HealthEquity #HealthDisparities #RacialEquity #PublicHealth #HealthcareJustice #EquityInMedicine #BlackDoctors #PhysicianLeadership #GlobalHealth
Join us in Washington, DC for the 2026 Health Disparities Symposium, a powerful two-day convening focused on bridging gaps in chronic disease care and advancing health equity through education, research, and policy-driven dialogue.
📅 January 23–24, 2026
📍 Howard University Hospital | W. Lester Henry Towers Auditorium
🎓 CME Credit Available
✅ Free to attend
Presented by the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute, in collaboration with Howard University Hospital, and supported by the American Diabetes Association, this symposium brings together physicians, trainees, researchers, public health professionals, healthcare leaders, and community advocates.
Event Highlights
• Friday, Jan 23: Opening Reception & Fireside Chat on healthcare disparities in chronic disease management
• Saturday, Jan 24: Educational Symposium - Bridging the Gap: Advancing Equity in Education, Research, and Healthcare
🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/2026HDEvent
#HealthEquity #HealthDisparities #BridgingTheGap #NMA #CobbInstitute #HowardUniversityHospital #CME #PublicHealth #ChronicDisease #HealthcareLeadership
The National Medical Association is proud to celebrate Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD, 126th President, as the 2026 African Americans in Medicine Honoree at Harlem Fine Arts Show (HFAS18).
Dr. Mitchell will be honored during African Americans in Medicine: The Art of Healing (AAIM), a powerful tribute recognizing trailblazers whose leadership advances excellence, equity, and compassion across medicine, education, and the arts.
📍 The Glasshouse, New York City
📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
Join us as we honor Dr. Mitchell’s extraordinary impact and celebrate the lasting legacy of Black physicians shaping the future of health and healing.
#NMA #AfricanAmericansInMedicine #AAIM #HFAS18 #TheArtOfHealing #HealthEquity #BlackExcellence #UnsungHeroes
Recent changes to the CDC childhood vaccine schedule have shifted six vaccines, like flu, hepatitis A & B, RSV, and rotavirus, so they’re no longer universally recommended for all children, which has created confusion for families and clinicians.
As a pediatrician and NMA President-Elect, Dr. Brandi Freeman says:
“These are vaccines that we as pediatricians have relied on for decades to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and even death in children. The science behind them has not changed… Delayed or missed vaccinations increase risk, especially for infants and young children.”
Vaccines remain safe, effective, and available. Talk with your child’s clinician about the best plan for your family.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.parents.com/cdc-vaccine-changes-2026-11881564
#NationalMedAssn #ChildHealth #VaccinesWork #HealthEquity #PediatricCare #PublicHealth
Advancing health equity requires action at every level, including the states.
Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD, 126th President of the National Medical Association, emphasized the importance of a strong state-level strategy as a core component of NMA’s advocacy work.
We are pleased to collaborate with the American Medical Association to help consolidate efforts and strengthen coordinated advocacy that protects patients and advances health equity nationwide.
#NationalMedAssn #HealthEquity #PhysicianAdvocacy #StateStrategy #HealthcareLeadership #BlackDoctorsMatter
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
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Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Phone: 202-347-1895
Fax: 301-495-0359
