Dr. Craig Walker serves as the Chairman of OMG 2026, bringing decades of pioneering experience and influential leadership in cardiovascular and endovascular medicine.A graduate of LSU School of Medicine, he completed advanced training at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans and Harvard Medical School.

Widely recognized as a leader in interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular interventions, Dr. Walker founded the Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS), transforming it into an internationally acclaimed institution known for innovation, clinical research, and patient-centered excellence. Under his leadership, CIS has grown into a premier network of specialists dedicated to advanced cardiovascular care across multiple locations.

Dr. Walker has been instrumental in clinical advancements through his role as primary investigator in numerous groundbreaking clinical trials. His commitment to professional education is reflected in the thousands of medical professionals worldwide he has personally trained in advanced endovascular techniques.

Throughout his career, Dr. Walker has earned prestigious recognitions, including national awards for medical innovation, education, and community leadership. Beyond clinical practice, he's contributed significantly to medical literature, authoring hundreds of peer-reviewed articles and several book chapters.

As Chairman of OMG 2026, Dr. Walker champions multidisciplinary collaboration, clinical innovation, and patient-focused healthcare, ensuring the conference remains at the forefront of obesity and metabolic treatment strategies.