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All In A Day’s Work
Who does Grace Lee Walker, M.D.’82, wish she were more like? Hermione Granger, friend and fellow Hogwarts student to Harry Potter. “She can get more hours out of day than anybody,” admires Walker.
Walker laughs as she tells how the very studious character from the Harry Potter series of books took two classes at the same time by using her magic to go back and forth between them.
“I wish I could have more time to do everything I want to do. I need an extra two hours out of every day,” muses Walker.
The Terre Haute family physician describes herself as a perpetual student who loves the process of discovery. She says she enjoys her work as much today as she did 25 years ago, still delivers babies and embraces new technology. But it’s teaching that has become her passion.
Besides her private practice, Walker holds a volunteer faculty appointment from the school of medicine. She is a preceptor to first- and second-year students from the Terre Haute Center for Medical Education and third- and fourth-year students doing family medicine clerkships in Terre Haute. She also trains family medicine residents at Union Hospital in Terre Haute and, as if that weren’t enough, she drives to Indianapolis one Friday a month to teach at St. Francis Hospital.
“I’ve always been drawn to teaching,” says Walker. “I figured if I didn’t get into medical school I would teach chemistry.” She believes her strengths are helping students break down information so it’s not overwhelming and forming good working relationships that allow for fun alongside learning.
Channeling Enthusiasm
Walker knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue medicine. She grew up hearing about a family friend who was director of the children’s hospital in her hometown of Canton, China, and she thought it would be “cool” to be a pediatrician. But in medical school she realized she liked too many specialties to choose one, so she settled on family medicine.
At the age of 19 Walker moved from Hong Kong to Indiana to attend Vincennes University on scholarship. She then graduated from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and worked two years as a chemist for Pillsbury and International Minerals and Chemical Company before starting medical school.
With her quick humor, Walker jokes, “I was smart then. I was an analytical chemist.”
But all joking aside, Walker is intent on making a difference – whether it be in the lives of her students and patients or in helping the IU School of Medicine achieve its goals.
Since 2001, Walker has been a member of IUSM’s Medical Alumni Council. She describes the council’s role as helping mold the school’s vision and developing purposeful alumni relations. Council members also help spread news of the school and its accomplishments throughout their communities.
Walker believes “the message” and how it’s delivered are the keys to attracting alumni support, regardless if it is for contributions of money or time.
“There is so much demand on people’s time and resources, yet most people are willing to support worthwhile causes,” says Walker. “They just don’t know what they can do or they don’t have enough information to make a decision. If you’re enthusiastic and have a good message, people want to join you.
“I want alumni to think, ‘They train good doctors at IU. I’m proud to be an IU graduate.’”
Walker is obviously proud to be a graduate of IU. She’s also proud to be a physician.
“I always tell new, young doctors, ‘You can join the country club or the yacht club, but you have to be a doctor to join the medical society. It is a privilege.”
Walker does not take anything in her life for granted.
“I am lucky to practice medicine and to have support from my family. I am lucky to have a car that works and water softener that never runs out.” She compares her privileged life to a well-orchestrated symphony; one she hopes will continue playing its music for a long time.
Grace Lee Walker, MD, with a young admirer at her Terre Haute office.
Grace Lee Walker, MD