Prof David Walker

Prof Walker completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of Queensland. He then studied for a doctorate PhD at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research on the Molecular Genetics of Astrocytomas (brain tumours) before undertaking advanced neurosurgical training at the Royal Brisbane Hospital and Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Throughout Prof Walker's career, he has based his practice around a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. This approach ensures that patients receive holistic advice on treatment required. For patients with primary malignant brain tumours (glioma, low grade glioma, glioblastoma, GBM, oligodendroglioma) the maintenance of Quality of Life is paramount. Health-related quality of life is widely recognized in medicine but its assessment and maintenance in patients with brain tumours has not kept up with other more common cancers. This situation does not correlate with the problem - most if not all patients with malignant brain tumours (glioma, GBM, glioblastoma) suffer psychological distress, and many will experience clinically significant depression and / or anxiety.

Due to this, Prof Walker, decided to advocate a new role that would support and guide patients throughout their treatment journey. Through his research and understanding of the support required, Prof Walker developed the role Neurosurgical Nurse Practitioner. This role is currently undertaken by Viven Biggs who works in collaboration with Briz Brain & Spine neurosurgeons and other medical specialists, adding nursing expertise to our approach to coordinated care.

The proud father of two, Prof Walker's daughter is a Brisbane based lawyer and his son is an up-and-coming talent in the music industry. Prof Walker is a very family orientated man, a father who lights up when he speaks about his children and their current endeavours.

In his spare time, Prof Walker enjoys getting outdoors, playing golf and spending time with family. In recent years, Prof Walker enlisted as an Officer in the Royal Australian Army Reserves.

Professor Walker has now retired from clinical practice. While he is no longer seeing patients or performing surgery, he continues his work providing specialist neurosurgical opinion in a medico-legal capacity and remains involved in ongoing neurosurgical and neuro-oncology research.