Dr. Melissa Ann Walker is a family medicine physician and the owner and founder of Carol Clinic for Family-Centered Healthcare in San Antonio, Texas. Carol Clinic is named for her late mother, Mrs. Carol Williams Walker. Dr. Walker’s mother suffered a stroke at the age of 53 and was hospitalized for greater than two years before her death. After her mother’s death, Dr. Walker’s initial desire to become a physician was reignited. She had previously placed her pursuit of medicine on hold to complete her graduate studies. After completing medical school and residency training, Dr. Walker returned to San Antonio to open the Carol Clinic. This name is also an acronym: C – Care, A– Attention, R– Respect, O– Oneness, and L – Loyalty. She believes these and so many other attributes were possessed by her mother. Dr. Walker strives to exemplify the same in the care of her patients.
Growing up in rural Louisiana, she saw firsthand the disparities in healthcare and the seeming lack of care shown by people of her community when it came to their health. Dr. Walker believes that the lack of education, not the lack of care, is the leading cause of her mother’s death and the poor outcomes of so many. She has made it her mission to provide education to not only her patients, but to the entire world. She travels both nationally and internationally providing care and education. Along with a team of twelve nurses, she journeyed with Destiny Ministries to Southern Africa and Botswana. While there, Dr. Walker and the nurses held medical clinics in the rural villages of Botswana. For her work, she received a personal note of recognition from the late Bishop Sarah Davis of the African American Episcopal Church. As an ambassador for the American Stroke Association’s Power to End Stroke campaign, Dr. Walker has traveled across the country doing talks on stroke prevention. She was the featured speaker for the San Antonio ASA’s concert featuring Kirk Franklin. Dr. Walker was also chosen to address the Congressional Black Caucus in Austin, Texas. For her work with the American Heart Association, she was the recipient of the J. Kent Trinkle Physician Volunteer of the Year. Specifically, for her work with the American Stroke Association, she was awarded the ASA’s Visionary Award. This award is given to an ambassador who has done the most to educate others and promote the cause of stroke prevention. Dr. Walker has appeared on Trinity Broadcasting Network’s (TBN)”Doctor to Doctor” show. Two of her segments on Colon Cancer and Diabetes brought many letters and emails from viewers across the Nation. She was also featured in San Antonio Medicine Magazine’s “A Day in the Life.”
Dr. Walker is the Founder of a caregivers’ conference called “Heal the Healer San Antonio.” This one-day symposium targets both formal and informal caregivers. This role Dr. Walker knows all too well; having been a caregiver for both her parents during their illnesses.
🛑 Federal Shutdown Threatens Nutrition Access
The NMA, led by 126th President Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD, is deeply concerned that SNAP benefits may not be issued on Nov. 1, putting 42 million people at risk of food insecurity and worsening health outcomes. Food is medicine—ending the shutdown and protecting SNAP is essential to health equity.
READ MORE HERE: http://bit.ly/3J9SceR
#SNAP #EndTheShutdown #FoodIsMedicine #HealthEquity #NMA #MobilizingHealthJustice
🚨 Today is National First Responders Day 🚨
The National Medical Association (NMA) proudly honors the brave men and women who serve on the front lines of emergencies, our healthcare professionals, paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, and police officers who respond with courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication.
Your commitment saves lives, protects communities, and embodies the spirit of service and sacrifice that strengthens our nation every day.
Today, we extend our deepest gratitude to all first responders, including the many NMA physicians and members who answer the call to care in times of crisis. 🙏🏾💙
Thank you for being the first to step forward when others are in need.
#NationalFirstRespondersDay #ThankYouFirstResponders #NMA #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #CommunityCare #MobilizingHealthJustice
🌍 Bridging the Maternal Health Gap: Collaborative Solutions for Maternal Health Disparities
Join us Tuesday, October 28th at 6:30 PM CST for a Complimentary CME Webinar hosted by NMA Regions IV and V.
This powerful discussion will explore innovative, multidisciplinary strategies to advance maternal health equity, reduce disparities, and improve outcomes for African American mothers and infants.
🎙️ Featured Panelists:
• William Greenfield, MD – Medical Director, Family Health, Arkansas Department of Health
• Tiana Montella, MS, RD, LD, CD-L, CLS – Registered Dietitian Supervisor, Franklin County WIC Program
• Janet Reid Hector, Ed.D, RD – Assistant Professor of Healthcare Management & Leadership, Rutgers University – Biomedical and Health Sciences
✨ Attendees will gain insight into clinical care models, nutrition-centered strategies, and community-driven approaches that strengthen maternal and infant health.
📅 Tuesday, October 28th @ 6:30 PM CST
💻 Complimentary CME Webinar
📲 Register today: https://loom.ly/MrlC93w
Let’s work together to close the maternal health gap and #MobilizeHealthJustice for the new America.
#NMA #MaternalHealth #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #BlackMothers #CMEWebinar #MedicalEducation #NMAEvents
The National Medical Association (NMA) is proud to announce the appointment of Martin Hamlette, JD, MHA, as Interim Executive Director.
A respected leader in health equity and social impact, Mr. Hamlette brings decades of experience spanning public policy, workforce development, and population health strategy. Having previously served as NMA’s Executive Director from 2015 to 2022, he returns to guide the Association through another pivotal chapter of growth and advocacy for Black physicians and the communities they serve.
“It is an honor to return to the National Medical Association and serve its members once again during such a pivotal time for our profession and our communities,” Hamlette said. “The NMA has always stood as a beacon for health equity and social justice in medicine, and I am excited to help advance that mission alongside our dedicated leadership, physicians, and partners.”
Read the full announcement here: http://bit.ly/479NKpx
#NMA #Leadership #HealthEquity #BlackPhysicians #HealthcareLeadership #PublicHealth #MedicalCommunity
This week, NMA’s 126th President, Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD, joined the Detroit Medical Society for their monthly membership meeting and the turnout was amazing!
Dr. Mitchell continues to lead the charge in #MobilizingHealthJustice connecting with physicians, leaders, and communities across the nation to advance health equity and access for all.
✨ Detroit showed up. Is your city next?
Dr. Mitchell is ready to bring the conversation on Health Justice for the New America to your community.
#NMA #HealthEquity #AccessToCare #PublicHealth #BlackDoctors #DetroitMedicalSociety #LeadershipInAction #MobilizingHealthJustice
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.
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Phone: 202-347-1895
Fax: 301-495-0359
