Background
Dr. Christopher Walter earned both his undergraduate and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from the University of Central Arkansas. He later completed his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Utah, where his training focused on motor learning. His research emphasized understanding the underlying neural and behavioral mechanisms that support motor skill acquisition and developing evidence-based strategies to maximize motor learning in clinical populations.
Certifications & Other Specialties
Dr. Walter is an APTA Board-Certified Clinical Instructor and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. In 2018, he was named a Fellow of the Arkansas Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, a federally funded initiative through the Health Resources and Services Administration focused on improving care for older adults.
Teaching Interests
Dr. Walter is passionate about teaching motor control and motor learning, neurological rehabilitation, and clinical reasoning. He emphasizes neurorehabilitation across the continuum of care—from acute and inpatient settings through outpatient, community reintegration, and long-term wellness. He is especially committed to promoting health and wellness among people with neurological injuries and chronic conditions.
Research Interests
Dr. Walter’s early research explored how individuals learn and re-learn motor skills following neurological injury, aiming to improve function and quality of life in older adults and those with neurological conditions. His more recent work focuses on disparities in physical activity among underserved and vulnerable populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, cancer survivors and their caregivers, and individuals with chronic health conditions. He is particularly interested in the role of physical activity in managing chronic diseases and how primary care settings can serve as effective entry points for physical activity promotion. He is also engaged in research advancing interprofessional education and collaborative practice in healthcare.
Clinical Interests
Dr. Walter’s clinical expertise includes working with individuals with stroke, brain injury, and complex neurological conditions across the continuum of care—from ICU and acute care through outpatient rehabilitation and community reintegration.
Service Interests
A champion of educational innovation, Dr. Walter is actively involved in student and faculty mentorship, curriculum development, and institutional leadership. He serves as President of the UAMS Academic Senate and is a strong advocate for shared governance. Nationally, he serves on the Health Promotion and Wellness Committee within the APTA’s Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy. Locally, he serves as Director of the North Street Clinic, UAMS Northwest’s interprofessional, student-led, pro bono primary care clinic serving uninsured and underserved populations.