Presents a biographical memoir of Dr. Matthew Walker, Professor of Surgery and Provost for External Affairs at Meharry Medical College. He is interviewed by his friend and colleague Dr. L. J. Bernard, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Meharry Medical College. In this presentation Dr. John Z. Bowers first introduces the series "Leaders in American Medicine." Drs. Walker and Bernard then trace Dr. Walker's early life and education in New Orleans and his life as a medical student at Meharry. He discusses teachers who influenced his life and career, especially Drs. Hale and McMillan. Dr. Walker reflects on the opportunities available to an African -American doctor in a white-dominated medical world and discusses his decision to become a surgeon and his efforts to become well-trained in his field. He describes his travels to various parts of the world to observe and learn from surgical procedures in order to bring knowledge back to students and patients at Meharry. He explores his role in establishing a surgical residency program and discusses discrimination against black doctors in professional organizations. Dr. Walker relates his own personal goal--to train the best possible black doctors, able to practice and compete anywhere, with the hope that they would return to Meharry to teach others. He describes his current interest in medical education and in the delivery of comprehensive health care to underserved areas, his service on committees dealing with issues around death and dying, and his perspective on government support of health care. He then discusses the current trends in specialization and medical education.

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