Heather Walker, MD

Titles

Assistant Professor, Program Director for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency, Medical Director of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

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

Certifications

Spinal Cord Injury Medicine
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

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

2011-2014   Program on Academic Leadership, Association of Academic Physiatrists
2010-2011   UNC Teaching Scholars Program
2010            Associate Fellow, Academy of Educators, UNC School of Medicine
2008-2011   Teaching Excellence Award, UNC PM&R
2008, 2011  PM&R Educational Module of the Year Award
2007            Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation Research Award

Recent Publications

Walker H, Garstang S. Chapter 9: Autonomic and Cardiovascular Dysfunction after Spinal Cord Injury. Spinal Cord Medicine, 2nd edition. Eds. Steven Kirshblum and Denise Compagnolo. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011. In press.

Walker H, Kirshblum, S. Chapter 20: Spasticity Due to Disease of the Spinal Cord: Pathophysiology, Epidemiology and Treatment. Spasticity: Diagnosis and Management. Ed. Allison Brashear and Elie Elovic. New York: Demos Medical Publishing; 2010.

Scruggs J, Walker H. Bilateral cervical radiculopathies in a patient with incomplete tetraplegia: A case report. PM&R. 2010;2:S174-5.

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.

Current Grants

A Phase III, Multicenter, Double Blind, Prospective, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Dysport® Used for the Treatment of Lower Limb Spasticity in Adult Subjects with Hemiparesis Due To Stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury
Industry Sponsor: Ipsen
Role: Principal Investigator
6/2011-3/2013

A Phase III, Multicenter, Open Label, Extension Study, To Assess the Long Safety and Efficacy of Repeated Treatment of Dysport® Intramuscular Injection in the Treatment of Lower Limb Spasticity in Adult Subjects with Hemiparesis Due To Stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury
Industry Sponsor: Ipsen
Role: Principal Investigator
9/2011-6/2013

A Phase III, Multicenter, Double Blind, Prospective, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Dysport® Intramuscular Injection Used for the Treatment of Upper Limb Spasticity in Adult Subjects with Hemiparesis Due To Stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury
Industry Sponsor: Ipsen
Role: Principal Investigator
Dates: 8/2011-6/2013

A Phase III, Multicenter, Open Label, Extension Study, To Assess the Long Safety and Efficacy of Repeated Treatment of Dysport® Intramuscular Injection in the Treatment of Upper Limb Spasticity in Adult Subjects with Hemiparesis Due To Stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury
Industry Sponsor: Ipsen
Role: Principal Investigator
Dates: 11/2011-9/2013

Operant Conditioning of the Tibialis Anterior H-reflex in Human Subjects
NCTraCS
PI: Richard Segal
Role: Co-Investigator
9/2011-6/2013

Professional Memberships

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