Lieutenant Commander Chad E. Walls, D.O., M.C., U.S.N. – Paying Tribute to a True Leader

Sunday, 28 July 2024

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) dims its collective lights as the College family takes heavy-hearted note of the loss of LCDR Chad E. Walls, D.O., M.C., U.S.N.

Helen Keller once remarked that, "Life's true happiness is attained through fidelity to a worthy purpose." Indeed, Dr. Walls lived by that principle. His was a life committed to worthy accomplishment - a testament to action, to mission - to purpose.

A LECOM alumnus, Dr. Walls was a well-respected orthopedic surgeon.

A 2010 LECOM Bradenton graduate, Dr. Walls distinguished himself with the achievement of many academic awards, ranking in the top quartile of his class.

Dr. Walls fulfilled his four-year active duty military obligation as Flight Surgeon and Senior Medical Officer for Training Air Wing FOUR with the United States Navy, where he was responsible for the medical care and medical readiness of more than 1,400 active duty United States Navy personnel. He conducted his Transitional Year Internship at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia; and he undertook his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Millcreek Community Hospital.

Dr. Walls served as Director of Orthopedic Trauma at Conemaugh Hospital (Pennsylvania) where he was lauded as a kind and compassionate surgeon and a partner who readily accepted the most difficult of cases to help others.

Dr. Walls is survived by his beloved and caring wife, Dr. Karisa Beebe.

Most recently, Dr. Walls served as an orthopedic surgeon at Penn Medicine - Lancaster General Health.

The absence of this caring and competent LECOM family member - physician and healer - will be felt profoundly and palpably by all who knew him.