Heather Walker, MD

Titles

Assistant Professor, Associate Program Director for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency

Education

Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 2002
Residency: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2002-2006
Fellowship: Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, New Jersey, 2006-2007

Certification

Board Certified both in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine and in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2007

Sub-Specialties

• spinal cord injury medicine
• neurological rehabilitation
• traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• spasticity management
• adult spina bifida
• adult cerebral palsy
• botulinum toxin injections
• joint injections
• Baclofen Pump management

Honors

Teacihng Excellence Award, 2008 & 2009

PM&R Educational Module of the Year Award, 2008

Mitchell Rosenthall PhD Research Award, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, "The Use of Duplex Ultrasound Surveillance for DVT in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury at Time of Admission to Rehabilitation," 2007

Publications

Walker H, Kirshblum S. Spasticity due to disease of the spinal cord: pathophysiology, epidemiology and treatment. In: Spasticity: Diagnosis and Management. In press.

Impink BG, Boninger ML, Walker H, Collinger JL, Niyonkuru C. Ultrasonographic median nerve changes after a wheelchair sporting event. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009;90:1489-94.

Ibazebo W, Walker H. Progressive tetraplegia in a patient with NMO-antibodies without visual involvement initially classified as a syrinx: a case report. PMR. 2009;9S:S204-5.

Gersuk E, Walker H. Cervical anterior cord syndrome following cervical surgery: a case report. PMR. 2009;9S:S250.

Kent T, Walker, H. The development of hydronephrosis secondary to poorly controlled neurogenic bowel in a patient with spinal cord injury: a case report. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;89:E126.

Walker H, Kirshblum S, Komaroff E. The use of duplex ultrasound surveillance for DVT in individuals with spinal cord injury at time of admission to rehabilitation. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;87:S10-S11.

Presentations

Walker H, Boninger M, Impink B, Malkwiecz A, Cooper R. Correlation Between Ultrasonographic Median Nerve Characteristics and Clinical Symptoms in Wheelchair Users. Presented at 2006 AAP Conference. Best Poster Award.

Walker H, Boninger M, Impink B, Malkwiecz A, Cooper R. Ultrasound Evaluation of the Median Nerve Before and After Intense Wheelchair Activity. Presented at 2005 AAP Conference. Best Poster Award.

Research

A 17-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Multi-Center Trial of Pregabalin for the Treatment of Chronic Central Neuropathic Pain after Spinal Cord Injury
Funding Agency: Pfizer
Role: PI

Research Mentor for several resident research projects

Professional Memberships

Association of Academic Physiatrists
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
American Paraplegia Society
American Spinal Injury Association