Professor of Psychiatry
Professor of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
Director, One Sky National Resource Center for American Indian/Alaska Native Substance Abuse Services
Director, Center for American Indian Health Education and Research

1968, BS (Microbiology), University of Oklahoma
1972, MD, University of Oklahoma, College of Medicine
1972-1973, Residency, Psychiatry, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
1975-1977, Residency, Psychiatry, University of California SOM, San Diego

Currently licensed to practice in Oregon, California, Colorado and Oklahoma.

Research and Scholarly Interests:

Dr. Dale Walker is professor of Psychiatry and Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Director of the Center for American Indian Education and Research at Oregon Health and Science University. His current work draws attention to best practices for the prevention and treatment of addiction and mental health disorders with American Indian populations.

Prior to arriving at the Oregon Health and Science University seven years ago, Dr. Walker led the development of the first National Center of Excellence for Treatment of Alcohol and Drug Problems within the national VA Medical Center system. This work and focus began at the Seattle VA Medical Center and the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Nationally, Dr. Walker has participated in numerous consultations and provided testimony on promoting access to care, best practices and effective research integration into community settings, especially focusing on American Indian populations. He has presented testimony in both houses of Federal Congress in regards to these issues, and provided leadership, direction and advocacy for the American Psychiatric Association’s efforts for mental health and addictions parity for all citizens.

Throughout his career, Dr Walker has served nationally and locally as an advocate and activist for access to healthcare and the elimination of the stigma of mental illness and substance use disorders. A major focus of his research has been on addictions and mental health issues of American Indians. Over the past 25 years the American Indian Research Group has studied the prevalence and natural history of addiction disorders, risk and protective factors relating to addiction disorders, the relationship between mental and addictive disorders, and treatment strategies. He and his colleagues have consulted and lectured throughout North America on American Indian issues.

Certifications:

1982, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
1993, Added Qualifications in Addiction Psychiatry

Organizations:

American Psychiatric Association, Fellow
American College of Psychiatry
Association of American Indian Physicians
International Association of Social Psychiatry, Fellow
Society for the Study of Culture and Psychiatry
Association of Transcultural Psychiatry
Research Society on Alcoholism
Washington State Psychiatric Association
American Hospital Association
American Association of Chairs of Departments of Psychiatry
American Association of Community Psychiatrists
American Association for Affirmative Action
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry

Awards and Honors:

1964-1966, Lew Wentz Scholarship
1964-1968, University Scholars Honor Program
1985, Award of Outstanding Service – Seattle Indian Health Board
1985, Invited Participant, Surgeon General’s Workshop on Violence and Public Health
1987-1988, President, Washington State Psychiatric Association
1987-1989, Invited Participant, Institute of Medicine Study Group on Alcohol Problems
1989, Physician of the Year, Association of American Indian Physicians
1992-1996, Best Doctors in America, Woodward White Publications
1994, Best Mental Health Workers, Good Housekeeping
1994-1995, Invited Participant, Institute of Medicine Study Group on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
1995, Outstanding Service to American Indian People, Indian Health Service
1995-1996, Honored Member of America’s Who’s Who
1995, The Best Medical Specialists in North America, Town and Country
1995, Invited Speaker, Annual Meeting of the Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc.
1995, VA Service Award
1996, Mental Health Excellence Award, Indian Health Service
1998, APA Presidential Commendation, Strategic Planning Committee
1999, Outstanding Service, Oregon Indian Council
1999-2000, Chair, American Psychiatric Association, Nominating Committee
1996-present, Best Doctors in the Pacific Northwest, Woodward White Publications