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.
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.
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Phone: 202-347-1895
Fax: 301-495-0359
