At the 18th annual Courage Awards, held in November 2023, Russ Walker was recognized with the Impact Award.
Russ has dedicated his life to serving others – first in the British Armed Forces, where he studied at King’s College London in Rehab Nursing. Then, he spent a year in neurosurgery at the UAH, where he met his future wife. Then, on to the Glenrose Hospital where he has been involved in rehabilitation nursing for almost two decades, and has positively impacted the lives of countless patients and their families.
In November 2022, Russ began his own medical journey when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent surgery. Unfortunately, they were only able to remove two thirds of the tumour. Following the surgery, Russ became a Glenrose patient himself. He completed weeks of intense rehabilitation to regain as much as possible of the movement and speech he had lost after surgery. He needed to have something to work towards, including a return to cycling. After months of chemotherapy, radiation and intense rehab, Russ was back to cycling, using an adapted trike.
Russ continues to inspire his colleagues and most of all, his family, but acknowledges the profound inspiration his patients have given him. He is being recognized with the Impact Award as a tribute to his service to others in rehabilitation medicine and his bravery in facing his own medical and rehabilitation journey.
Watch the entire 2023 Courage Awards ceremony recording here.
“I want to be an example of motivation, perseverance, and determination. Take joy from what you have and give joy when you can. Choose to be positive, make a conscious effort to fight the negative. You will find it ultimately rewarding and your family and friends will remember you even more for it, and they will take comfort in that.”
~ Russ Walker
