Associate Professor Deborah Kirk Walker, DNPUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Associate Professor Deborah Kirk Walker, DNP, was one of six health care professionals recently honored by the American Cancer Society with the Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award.
The prestigious national award recognizes individuals who provide excellent care and leadership in serving the complex needs of cancer patients and their families.
The award also embodies the ACS’ concept of the “warm hand of service,” an integral part of its commitment to excellence in cancer care and something specifically emphasized by Adams when he served as ACS executive vice president. Adams’ definition of the warm hand of service was to “serve others and enrich the purpose of one’s existence,” and Walker is pleased she has lived up to that standard.
Walker believes that, in particular, the ACS considered her work with the Cancer Resources of Alabama app she began developing in 2012 and which was most recently updated in December 2016 to include statewide community resources.