Karen “Kalei” Walker, MD, MHS, cardiovascular surgeon recently joined Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) and the Orlando Health Heart Institute. 

Her clinical interests include all aspects of cardiac and vascular surgery with a specific focus on coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve surgery, aortic surgery, and revisional surgery (or second time operations).  She uses traditional surgical techniques, endovascular technology, and hybrid approaches which incorporate both surgical and endovascular techniques to create individualized care.

Dr. Walker is a native Floridian and earned her medical degree from the University of Florida, College of Medicine.  She completed her residency in vascular surgery at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire and is board certified in vascular surgery.  Following her training in vascular surgery, she trained in cardiothoracic surgery at Washington University in St. Louis.  She has a Master of Health Science from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Dr. Walker’s research has focused on resource utilization and the incorporation of new technology in cardiac and vascular surgery.  She received the Alley-Sheridan Scholarship from the Thoracic Surgery Foundation to attend the Leadership Program for Health Policy and Management at Brandeis University.  She is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Society of Vascular Surgeons.