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  By Stacy Saunders
“Compassion” is a word that is used frequently in today’s medical community, but rarely is it displayed with such deep consideration or so much regularity as by White House’s Dr. Allen “Bucko” Walker. “I’ve always wanted to be a man moved with compassion,” he explained recently. “It’s been a goal of mine.”
Whether it stems from his doctoral studies in theology, from his near death experience or from traits inherent in his personality, Dr. Walker is a different kind of family physician, one both willing and eager to spend time with patients. “That is sort of the secret, you know, personable attention,” he commented. “This is a business where compassion is so important, and compassion doesn’t come through very well on a recording device.” Because of this philosophy, patients will always reach a real person when calling Dr. Walker’s office during business hours.
Dr. Walker began practicing medicine in 1993, and set up shop in White House in January of 1994. During the following decade, he forged relationships with numerous patients in his thriving practice and became known for the nearly unheard of use of housecalls.
Tragically, all of that came to an end when, in October of 2004, Dr. Walker experienced a near-fatal automobile accident shortly after returning home from a long family trip. Walker subsequently spent seven weeks in the trauma hospital at Vanderbilt, relying on his doctors and nurses to provide the care necessary to see him through. “It’s been my experience that most people basically want to know that you are qualified (as a doctor) and that you care about them. I know when I was a patient,” he recalled, “how I longed for that caring hand and that tender touch.”
Now, four years later and completely recovered, the physician with four degrees and six sons has begun his practice anew. “I’m having to start from scratch,” he commented just one week into his new venture. “I’ve missed being in practice. It’s what I’ve done for so many years.” Walker is finding joy in his return to patient care.
The new office opened its doors on March 12 with an affiliation with NorthCrest. Walker described the response so far as “wonderful” with both new and returning patients thankful to find him back in town. “Patients come in and hug my neck,” he added, clearly touched by their presence and “excited to be back in White House doing family practice.”
The entire White House community will soon have an opportunity to spend some time with Dr. Walker and his family on Wednesday, April 16 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. during his open house.
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