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.
Join us at Essence Fest for an important conversation on the State of Health in Black America, Where Do We Go From Here?
🕝 2:30 PM – 2:55 PM
We’re proud to share that Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr., NMA President-Elect, will be speaking on this dynamic panel of health equity leaders.
This critical discussion will explore solutions to health disparities and the future of care in Black communities. Don’t miss it!
#HealthEquity #BlackHealthMatters #NMA #PublicHealth #Leadership #BlackExcellence #EssenceFest
LIVE from #EssenceFest at the Global Black Economic Forum, Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., President-Elect of the National Medical Association, is speaking truth on the intersection of criminal justice and health care.
Today’s focus:
* The Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy and why denying healthcare to incarcerated individuals is a public health crisis.
* The realities of Death in Custody, drawn from his powerful book Death in Custody: How America Ignores the Truth.
* The urgent need to collect data on incarcerated individuals, from care to custody to death.
Join us as we continue to lead in the fight for justice-centered healthcare.
#NMA #BlackHealthMatters #CriminalJusticeReform #DeathInCustody #MedicaidJustice #EssenceFestival2025 #GlobalBlackEconomicForum #HealthEquity
The systems are shifting. The stakes are high.
During the Global Black Economic Forum at @EssenceFest, NMA President-Elect Roger Mitchell, Jr., MD will be joining powerful voices to chart the course for justice and health equity.
🗓️ Today at 1PM – Criminal Justice
🗓️ Tomorrow at 2:30PM – Health Equity
➡️ Join us and contribute to the conversation.
🎥 Live stream: gbef.com | https://www.youtube.com/@globalblackeconomicforum
#GBEF #EssenceFest #HealthEquity #CriminalJustice #BlackExcellence #NMAVoices
The National Medical Association is deeply concerned following today’s passage of President Donald Trump’s new tax bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation threatens to strip health care coverage from millions by slashing Medicaid and weakening safety net programs.
The NMA remains steadfast in fighting for equitable, quality health care for every American. This fight is not over. We call on all medical professionals and advocates to stand with us.
READ MORE HERE: https://bitl.to/4nNr
#HealthCareForAll #MedicaidMatters #NMAStrong #HealthEquity #StopTheCuts
🚨 BREAKING: The Senate has passed a bill slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid, jeopardizing care for millions of Americans.
Dr. Virginia Caine, 125th President of the NMA, calls this a direct threat to vulnerable communities, rural hospitals, and the foundation of our health care system.
“Medicaid isn’t just a program, it’s a lifeline for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families. These cuts will devastate access to care and drive up costs.”
The NMA strongly opposes these unprecedented cuts and urges policymakers to protect Medicaid and the people it serves. Listen in as Dr. Caine speaks out on these cuts.
#SaveMedicaid #HealthEquity #NMAVoice #MedicaidMatters #RuralHealthCrisis
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