ElevateMeD Scholar: Ariel Walker

Meet Ariel Walker

ElevateMeD Scholar 2025-26

Ariel Walker witnessed her father suffer a heart attack that ultimately ignited her " lifelong passion for the brain" in neurosurgery. Through the skillsets of precision and versatility, Ariel is challenged yet thrilled to approach every patient with the goal of their healing in real time.

• Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

• Medical Education: Wayne State University School of Medicine

• Undergraduate Education: Alcorn State University in Biological Sciences

• Current Career Plan: I aspire to match into a Neurological Surgery residency in Michigan, followed by a fellowship in vascular neurosurgery. My long-term goal is to establish a practice in metro Detroit that prioritizes care for underserved communities through clinical excellence, preventive health initiatives, and mentorship. I am deeply committed to expanding access and representation in medicine by developing pipeline programs that engage students as early as middle school—providing academic support, standardized test preparation, and research opportunities to inspire and equip the next generation of future physicians.

• Specialty Interest: Neurological Surgery

• I am most proud of my path to and through medical school as a first-generation college student. Each stage has tested my resilience, but through faith, determination, and purpose, I remained focused—despite being encouraged to take a different direction. I’ve come to master the art of pivoting when life doesn’t go as planned: earning my CNA license while on LOA to deepen my bedside skills, conducting neurosurgery research at THE Mayo Clinic, and helping launch a high school–to–medicine pipeline program in my beloved hometown of Detroit. Alongside my academic growth, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a part-time caregiver for my father, whose strength and recovery continue to be the driving force behind my commitment to a career in medicine. My story reflects the spirit of Detroit—resilient, purposeful, and full of heart—with just the faith of a mustard seed.

• You might be surprised to know that throughout medical school, I’ve worked part-time with Live Nation Entertainment as a Guest Services Representative at the historic Fillmore Detroit. Music has always been central to my life. As an only child, my mom nurtured my curiosity through the arts, leading me to play violin through high school, where I earned first chair. In college, I set the violin aside to explore other passions, but moving back home reignited my love for music. Working at the Fillmore has kept me connected to music and Detroit’s culture, and I’ve even met some artists before their shows. Music has carried me through life’s highs and lows, offering joy and grounding—especially during medical school. It continues to support my mental wellness, and I’ve recently picked up the guitar, hoping to master it as I once did the violin.

• ElevateMeD is… visionary. Through the diverse experiences of its founders, the organization has identified a critical gap in our healthcare system and developed a sustainable, strategic approach to address it. Disparities in care directly impact patient outcomes, and cultivating a network of future minority physicians—while connecting us with mentors who’ve walked similar paths—is both powerful and necessary. The scholarship support, financial literacy training, and professional development are essential tools that help level the playing field for students like me. This kind of empowering programming instills confidence, reinforces our competence, and affirms that we are not only capable but fully deserving of a seat at the table—ready to lead and make a lasting impact in our fields of medicine.