For Amy Walker, OD, MBA, FAAO, being a lifelong educator means not only teaching students, but learning from them as well.
Dr. Walker, a clinical adjunct assistant professor with the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS), has been named the department’s 2024 Distinguished Educator.
“I was very surprised when I learned I was receiving the award,” said Dr. Walker, who is also an optometrist with UW Health in Madison, Wis. “I am humbled that the Education Committee thought of me.”
The Distinguished Community Educator Award, now in its 10th year, recognizes department faculty who have demonstrated an outstanding lifetime contribution to education.
After earning her Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Dr. Walker began her career as an optometrist in the United States Air Force.
“At that time, I was a Clinical Adjunct Professor for UC Berkely School of Optometry,” Dr. Walker explained. “Berkeley would send two students each semester to the North Carolina base where I was stationed. I later became a Clinical Adjunct Professor for Pennsylvania College of Optometry, where I would see students at my location in Washington DC. The students were always a delight and taught me as much as I taught them.”
Dr. Walker joined the faculty at UW—Madison in the School of Medicine and Public Health in 2002.
“As a clinical adjunct faculty member, Dr. Walker has been invaluable in teaching clinical and diagnostic skills to our Phase 2 medical students,” said Department Chair Terri Young, MD, MBA. “This is a pivotal point in a medical student’s life, and teaching requires not only exceptional knowledge and skill but also clear communication, enthusiasm, and certainly a great deal of patience. As an educator, Amy is known for all of these.”
Over the past two decades, Dr. Walker has made notable contributions to DOVS, including serving as Optometry Service Chief from 2006- 2017 and Co-Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs from 2017 to today. She also holds a leadership role in the department’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which she incorporates into her teaching.
“Dr. Walker is an exemplary educator,” said Daniel Knoch, MD. “Her evaluations are always stellar. For example, she has been instrumental in teaching our medical students as part of Mind and Motion, teaching our introductory session to the Phase 2 students, and teaching as part of our Case Based Learning sessions. Her inclusive nature has been greatly appreciated by all her learners, as well as her colleagues.”
Dr. Walker’s service to the department and her commitment to her learners extends beyond the criteria of the award. She has, for example, been instrumental in launching the Ophthalmology Assistant Apprenticeship program at UW Health. This program fills a crucial need while offering participants the life changing opportunity to receive on-the-job training and classroom instruction, while still receiving their salaries and benefits.
Dr. Walker takes responsibility of shaping the next generation of eye care professionals very seriously.
“I always begin the Intro to Ophthalmology course by thanking the students for choosing to be physicians because our communities need them no matter what specialty they choose,” she said. “We are expecting so much of this next generation of medical leaders not only for their care, but also to care for our planet and make us a more compassionate, peaceful nation. With the time I have spent with them, there is no doubt we are in good hands.”
“I’m proud to be a veteran, and I’m proud to have dedicated my life to the service of others,” Dr. Walker added. “I know I have helped improve sight, save sight and sometimes even save lives.”