Emily Walck, MD (Diné/Navajo Nation)
Pediatric Resident

Dr. Emily Walck was raised in Cortez, Colorado and spent her weekends and summers at her grandparents homestead in northern Arizona. Her masaní, her maternal grandmother, was a traditional medicine woman and herbalist, like her father was before her. It was from the hogan, the land and from hands that cared for her that Dr. Walck first experienced healing. She is honored to serve as a mentor for We Are Healers, supporting Native scholars as they embark on their own journey in healthcare.

Her academic interests led her on a non-linear path to medicine, studying biology before becoming captivated by stem cell research and regenerative medicine. She did not initially see herself as a physician, but experience with IHS disparities and unwavering mentorship pushed her to redefine what a Native doctor should be. Dr. Walck has experience in translational laboratory settings and as a clinical researcher for novel pediatric therapies in rare disease and oncology. Her training allowed her to follow innovation from the bench to bedside, focused on improving outcomes for children in need. In addition to shaping the next generation of precision medicine, Dr. Walck is motivated to increase Indigenous representation in academic medicine and subspecialty practice.

Dr. Walck received her Bachelors in Human Biology at Stanford University, her Postbaccalaureate at Temple University and her Doctorate in Medicine at the University of Minnesota. She was a member of the 2023 Healers Community Circle, her project focused on individual cultural engagement as a protective factor to sustain wellbeing throughout medical training. Currently, she is a rising PGY-3 at the University of Minnesota and intends to complete a Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology with a focus in Bone Marrow Transplantation. When not caring for the kiddos, she enjoys hiking, sharing meals with loved ones, running, motocross and spending time in the sun, recharging.