University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
memberatlarge@emra.org
In his first year of residency at the University of Chicago, Garth Walker has stepped into the Member-at-Large position on the EMRA Board, following in the footsteps of Ashley Guthrie, DO, whose term ended this spring. Dr. Walker has an undergraduate degree in economics and a master's degree in public health. He has worked at a management health care startup and maintains a research focus on the optimization of health care utilization, social determinants of health, and access to care.
What's your primary goal in your new role with EMRA?
My main project will be to audit the current infrastructure of the EMRA board. Based on an analysis of the organization's goals and the needs of its members, I will assist in facilitating a restructuring the EMRA board to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. In other words, I will be working with our leadership to identify what we as a board do well and developing ways to build and improve upon that.
Additionally, I will serve as a member of the EMRA Finance Committee, the Research Committee board liaison, the International Division board liaison, and the Diversity & Inclusion Committee board liaison.
What do you hope to accomplish within the Emergency Medicine practice?
The emergency room is often the first encounter that various patient populations have with our health care system. The opportunity to be on the front lines of the health care system is one of reasons I chose to become an emergency medicine doctor. Through research and further collaboration with community stakeholders, I hope to a play a role in developing cost-effective solutions to some of the systemic health and social issues that often plague urban and other underserved patient populations.
Describe your leadership style in 20 words or less.
I try to lead by example, roll up my sleeves, and get into the trenches with my squad.
What do you do in your free time?
I rely on cross-training, running, swimming, and basketball as great ways to relieve stress. I also love listening to ”˜90s R and B. In addition, I serve on the board for a nonprofit organization called Turning the Page. Turning the Page aims to improve literacy outcomes in Chicago and D.C. It also works to empower inner city parents to become engaged advocates within their children's school communities.
Favorite quote?
“Success is a function of persistence and doggedness and the willingness to work hard for 22 minutes to make sense of something that most people would give up on after 30 seconds.” — Malcolm Gladwell
What goes on pizza?
Deep dish of course! Supreme style: sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms and onions
Wine, beer, coffee, water or something else?
Coffee
Most-used app on your phone?
Close battle between GROUPME and CNN
What is on your current reading list?
Michael Lewis “The Undoing Project. A Friendship That Changed Our Minds”
Yuval Noah Harari “Sapiens. A Brief History of Humankind”