Catherine Ann Walker, NP

About Catherine Walker

When Catherine Walker sees a patient, she really listens to what they have to say. “I treat their physical conditions, but I also provide an empathetic ear and truly try to help them with whatever concern they have,” she says. This approach to care could be due to her coming from a long line of nurses – her mother, two aunts, a cousin and even her mother-in-law, are all registered nurses.

But before Catherine graduated from IU South Bend as a Family Nurse Practitioner, she was teaching middle school and high school Social Studies. “I had originally planned on teaching, but then decided that nursing was a better fit,” she says.

Her philosophy as a provider is to treat patients as she would want to be treated. “My patients have taught me to slow down and remember to always look at them as a person and not just their diagnosis,” she says.  “I hope they can trust that I will respond to them, that I will search out other expertise if I don’t know the answer, that I …will always be there for them,” she says, adding that she goes through the same things that they do.

Prior to being a nurse practitioner, Catherine worked as an ICU RN for almost 10 years at Beacon. Today, she works closely with physicians and providers in her office to deliver excellent care to their patient population.

In her own words…

Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life?  My 97-year-old grandmother. She is a Holocaust survivor and a truly remarkable woman. She can write a book on survivorship. 

What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it?  My very first job was as a cashier at a supermarket. I remember having a great time with all the other teenagers my age.  

What is your favorite food? Movie? What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up?  Favorite foods and movies depend on mood and situation.

What were your best/worst subjects in school?  My best subject was History/Social Studies. Worst subject has always been Math.

If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why?  My grandfather on my mother’s side. He unfortunately passed before I was born and from stories and information gathered, he was an amazing person.  

In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? What are your hobbies, interests?  Continued education on numerous subjects. I am an avid Documentary watcher; I love learning about random events or things.  I love spending time with my family and friends.  But you can catch me with a good book when given a chance.

Do you have pets?  We have two dogs:  Milo, a Schnoodle, who is 15, and Jack, a Lab mix, who is 1. It makes for an interesting combination.

What is something most people don’t know about you?  Prior to nursing, I was a teacher. I have a degree in middle school/high school Social Studies.