R. Dale Walker, M.D.

Professor of Psychiatry
Director, American Indian & Addictions Research
Associate Chief of Staff for Addictions, Portland VA Medical Center
Chair, Department of Psychiatry, 1996-2000

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:

Addictions: Before joining the OHSU Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Walker was Director of the Division of Addictions in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. He also was the founder and Director of the VA National Center of Excellence on Addictions Treatment and Research at the Seattle VA Medical Center. While in Seattle, he developed major papers for addictions treatment protocols and practice guidelines for both alcohol and drug disorders. The VA National Center of Excellence for Treatment and Research in Addiction Disorders provided support for continuing education and technical assistance throughout the VA Medical Center system nationwide.

American Indian alcohol and drug abuse: A major feature of Dr. Walker's research has been the acquisition process by which American Indian children begin to have alcohol and drug abuse problems. This important study has involved over 700 American Indian families in the Pacific Northwest and has a 96 percent follow-up rate after 10 years of annual interviews of both the children and their mothers. His work has received recognition and awards of excellence from both the Association of American Indian Physicians and the Indian Health Service. The American Indian Research Group continues to follow this special population and is exploring drug abuse, alcohol problems and mental health problems in the American Indian family.

Alcoholism and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Dr. Walker has participated in two important Institute of Medicine studies. In one study, titled "Broadening the Base of Treatment for Alcoholism," he chaired the section on special populations. In the study, titled "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome," Dr. Walker chaired the section on Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Dr. Walker also provided consultation assistance in the recent IOM report on the medical use of marijuana.

Addictions training: Dr. Walker has been active in developing a special research and training division in addictions for the department. This division is directly supported by the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment and by the Springbrook Treatment Center. The division has established clinical treatment program affiliations throughout the state and a fellowship in addictions psychiatry. The Division of Addictions continues to promote linkages with health care providers throughout the state of Oregon.

Certifications:
1952, 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

Recent Publications Research Projects