Akron hospital honors trailblazing African-American nurse

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - The Akron General Cleveland Clinic hospital dedicated a special plaque in honor of national nurses week.

Muriel Walker was the first African-American registered nurse that was hired at Akron General Cleveland Clinic, formerly known as the People’s hospital. But, she was also the first African-American hired by the hospital during the 1940s.

“I recall my father’s comments through the years, and particularly as he was getting on in his years, people would ask him ‘How are you doing?’ and his answer was always ‘I’m doing fine, I married a nurse’,” Walker’s daughter, Gail Walker said.

“Strangers to our family would come up to our mom at the mall, or in the aisles at Acme, and embrace her. And with tears, thank her for what she had done years before.”

Because of her years of dedication, Muriel Walker was honored with the plaque that will continue to hang in the hospital for decades to come. Marking those decades she put into the community.

But Gail says it’s not just her mother that should be honored.

“It is not just her skills that are being honored today, it’s for all the nurses,” Gail Walker said.

“Those of you here, those who are in the hallways upstairs. You’re all being honored today for what you do because it wasn’t just what was showing up at our door, or happening in our house that needed nursing.”

“It’s the whole community. And it’s nurses here and across the nation that are making the difference every single day.”