Connect

How long have you been with UVA Health, and what is your role? 

Walker: I have been employed with UVA Health since 2014, and I am currently serving in the role of Nurse Manager for Acute Cardiology. 

What is your favorite part about working at UVA Health? 

Walker: My favorite part of working at UVA Health is the long-lasting connections I have made with colleagues and the opportunity to serve my community while bridging connections across the health system. 

What ASPIRE value resonates most with your work at UVA Health? 

Walker: The ASPIRE value that resonates most with me is Equity. My career goal and personal passion are to ensure equity in all aspects of life for those who are disproportionately disadvantaged. I believe that a focus on health equity can transform the landscape of our health system at UVA Health and across the country. 

What leadership traits inspire you most? 

Walker: I believe in servant leadership. My role as nurse manager is to give back to my staff and patients, nothing more, nothing less. I am passionate about advocacy and helping others grow into the best versions of themselves. I am also committed to fostering a work environment that promotes holistic well-being and supports patients and staff through the — at times — very difficult journey of life. 

What part of our mission — transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond — do you connect with? 

Walker: I have a sign in my office that reads: “Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes.” It’s a reminder that if we want to transform healthcare and foster a sense of hope, we must be intentional about changing the landscape in which we operate. The importance of my role at UVA Health does not elude me; I wholeheartedly believe that representation is necessary to transform our healthcare system. I hope those who often feel voiceless, and unseen can find inspiration in watching me navigate nursing leadership. 

How does our guiding principle, “Patients are first in everything we do,” apply to your role at UVA Health?

Walker: As nurse manager, I have the unique opportunity to advocate for our patients. Our patients are our number one priority, and I am committed to supporting them and making sure they have a voice and are a part of our decision-making team. 

What are some opportunities that you see for UVA Health to advance a culture that truly embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion? 

Walker: I believe the biggest opportunity we have at UVA Health is to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion permeate all aspects of what we do is to create accountability structures to navigate any barriers impeding the advancement of this culture. 

Rest and resilience are so important to our work at UVA Health — what do you do in your free time? 

Walker: I enjoy spending time with my husband, children, family, and friends. I am a member of the Charlottesville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and enjoy doing community service. My husband and I are big fans of Harry Potter and have fun watching reruns. I also teach clinicals for Piedmont Virginia Community College. 

Any last thoughts you’d like to share?

Walker: I am energized by the work I see at UVA Health. It’s not perfect, but I have the pleasure of coming to work every day and working with an exceptional team to ensure this landscape changes for others. For anyone feeling alone, I offer these words of encouragement: keep pushing, keep striving, and keep shining. Do not let the world around you snuff out your light. Even in darkness, light dawns for the upright. Remember just how special and wonderfully made we all are, and I ensure you that the world around us will continue to blossom and move forward despite the challenges we may face.