Docs With Disabilities

Dr. Lisa Meeks and Dr. Peter Poullos

Join hosts Drs. Lisa Meeks, Peter Poullos and guest hosts as they take a deeper dive into the experiences of health care providers with disabilities through critical conversations with the doctors, researchers, administrators, faculty and policy makers that work to ensure medicine remains an equal opportunity profession.

  1. Episode 125: The Call is Coming From Inside the House

    1D AGO

    Episode 125: The Call is Coming From Inside the House

    Interviewees: Neera Jain, PhD — Senior Lecturer, Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education, Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland Hannah Kakara Anderson, PhD, MBA — Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania Abigail (Abby) Konoposky, PhD— Director of Medical Education Research, Department of Psychiatry, Northwell  Interviewer: Lisa Meeks, PhD, MA — Professor of Medical Education, The University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago; Host, the Docs With Disabilities Podcast Description: In this episode of Stories Behind the Science, we sit down with Drs. Hannah Kakar Anderson, Abby Konoposky, and Neera Jain to discuss a paper that confronts some of the most painful and persistent realities in medical education: The Call Is Coming from Inside the House. Together, they explore how racism and ableism intersect in the experiences of racially minoritized medical learners with disabilities—and why traditional conversations about diversity and inclusion often fail to capture these realities. Using disability critical race theory (DisCrit), narrative inquiry, and counter-storytelling, the authors illuminate what participants described as a haunted "house of medicine"—a space marked by exclusion, surveillance, distorted reflections of self, and support systems that too often become sources of harm rather than protection. Through powerful metaphors drawn from horror—No Trespassing, Hall of Mirrors, and The Call Coming from Inside the House—the conversation examines how institutional structures and well-intentioned actors alike can perpetuate systems that marginalize learners. But this episode is not simply about oppression. It is equally a conversation about resistance, agency, and survival. Grounded in Caitlin Seida's poem Hope Is Not a Bird, Emily, It's a Sewer Rat, the authors reflect on the fierce and complicated hope carried by learners who persist despite environments that were never designed with them in mind. Their stories are not one-dimensional accounts of struggle—they are acts of testimony, community building, and imagination for a different future. The discussion reviews: How racism and ableism operate as intertwined forces within medical education. Why horror became a powerful analytic metaphor for understanding participants' experiences. What it means to be simultaneously hyper-visible and invisible in training environments. How institutional actors may unintentionally reproduce harmful systems—and what it means to recognize "the call" within ourselves. Why the authors resisted easy solutions and instead invite educators to sit with discomfort before rushing to reform. How participants' stories function as "apocalyptic logs" and acts of "leaving evidence" for future learners and institutions. Dr. Anderson brings a clinician-educator's perspective and deep commitment to educational equity, reflecting on disability as both a personal and professional identity. Abby Konoposky offers a linguist's and educational psychologist's lens, unpacking agency, metaphor, and the power of story to challenge dominant narratives. Dr. Jain contributes expertise in ableism, disability studies, and anti-ableist practice, connecting participants' experiences to broader histories of disability rights and racial justice. Together, they invite listeners not only to understand these stories—but to reckon with what they reveal about medicine itself. This episode asks us to imagine what medicine might become if we listened more closely to the people who have long been navigating its haunted spaces—and if we allowed their stories to reshape the house itself. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dWbGNYB_pzptoEUDSKiS7bOr3DHEOGwqundz90i4fVk/edit?usp=sharing  Bios: Hannah Kakara Anderson, PhD, MBA, is an Instructor of Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania. Her work focuses on educational equity in medical education, with particular attention to disability equity and the creation of learning environments that support diverse learners and the communities they serve. Drawing from both lived experience and scholarship, her work explores how medical education can better sustain learners with disabilities and advance justice in training environments. Abigail (Abby) Konoposky, PhD, supports medical education research in the Department of Psychiatry at Northwell Health. Trained in linguistics and educational psychology, her scholarship explores language, agency, and the ways stories shape educational experiences and systems. Her work is informed by both personal experience with disability and a commitment to understanding how narrative and structure interact in medical education. Neera Jain, PhD, MS is Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education at Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. Her scholarship focuses on ableism, anti-ableism, and disability in medical education. With professional experience spanning disability rights, disability resource work, vocational rehabilitation, and disability law, Dr. Jain brings both theoretical and lived expertise to questions of equity, access, and justice in health professions education. Resources: Anderson, H. L. K., Konopasky, A. W., Bullock, J. L., Meeks, L. M., & Jain, N. R. (2025). The Call is Coming from Inside the House: Racism and Ableism in US Medical Education. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/10401334.2025.2581621 Annamma SA, Connor DJ, Ferri BA. DisCrit: Disability Studies and Critical Race Theory in Education. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284446065_DisCrit_Disability_Studies_and_Critical_Race_Theory_in_Education Mingus M. Leaving Evidence. https://leavingevidence.wordpress.com Seida C. Hope Is Not a Bird, Emily, It's a Sewer Rat.https://www.tennesonwoolf.com/hope-is-a-sewer-rat-caitlin-seida/ Key Words: Disability inclusion · Racism · Ableism · DisCrit · Medical education · Narrative inquiry · Counter-storytelling · Equity · Learning environment · Disability justice

    1h 3m

  2. 11/13/2025

    Episode 124: Mapping the Landscape of Technical Standards: A Nationwide Review of Medical Schools

    Interviewees: Carol Haywood, PhD, OTR/L — Assistant Professor, Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chris Moreland, MD, MPH — Professor of Internal Medicine; Division Chief for Hospital Medicine; Interim Associate Chair for Faculty Affairs and Development, Dell Medical School (Comments made in ASL and voiced through interpreters) Interviewer: Lisa Meeks, PhD, MA — Guest Editor, Academic Medicine Supplement on Disability Inclusion in Undergraduate Medical Education Description: In this episode of Stories Behind the Science, we sit down with Dr. Carol Haywood and Dr. Chris Moreland to explore a deceptively powerful document: the medical school technical standards. These quietly influential statements—often tucked deep in an admissions webpage—shape who feels welcome to apply, who gains access, and how institutions imagine the future of their profession. Haywood and Moreland, co-authors of a national analysis featured in the Academic Medicine supplement on Disability Inclusion in Undergraduate Medical Education, unpack what happens when ambiguous language, outdated assumptions, and vague expectations collide with real people making real decisions about their careers. Together, they dig into the nuances of functional vs. organic standards, the importance of clarity for applicants who lack insider knowledge, and the ripple effects of inequitable policies across a learner's entire training experience. What emerges is both sobering and hopeful: a field undergoing change, a growing recognition that words matter, and a roadmap for institutions ready to bring their values into alignment with their practices. The discussion reviews: How technical standards became a gatekeeper—and why revising a single sentence can shift an entire culture. Why students with disabilities read these documents differently—and why that matters for equity. How ambiguity in admissions can deter talented future physicians long before they step foot in a classroom. What schools can do now to create standards that prioritize competence, flexibility, and inclusion. Dr. Haywood brings a researcher's lens and an occupational therapist's creativity to the conversation, illuminating how functional expectations—not assumptions about bodies—should guide medical training. Dr. Moreland shares deeply personal reflections on navigating technical standards as a deaf physician, offering rare insight into how these documents land on applicants with lived experience. This episode invites the audience to imagine a medical education landscape where technical standards do what they should do—define competence, set expectations, and open doors—rather than unintentionally closing them. Bios:  Carol Haywood, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor of Medical Social Sciences in the Determinants of Health Division and core faculty in the Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. Building from her work as an occupational therapist in acute rehabilitation, she completed a PhD in occupational science at the University of Southern California and a postdoctoral fellowship in health services and outcomes research at Northwestern University. Using qualitative, mixed methods, and community-engaged research approaches, she studies disability in a variety of contexts, as well as health care access, coordination, and quality. She is driven by a vision of health care that facilitates equity for people with disabilities. Chris Moreland, MD MPH, is a professor of medicine, interim associate department chair for faculty affairs, and division chief for hospital medicine at Dell Medical School at UT Austin. He practices clinically as a hospitalist. As a career-long clinician educator, his teaching has been recognized regionally and nationally. His collaborative advocacy and research efforts describe the experiences of our healthcare workforce and learners with disabilities, as well as strategies to foster pathways to thriving clinicians. He has served as president and longtime board member for the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses; he holds current roles on the Docs with Disabilities Initiative advisory board, the AAMC Group on Diversity and Inclusion steering committee, and as a consultant with the National Deaf Center. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18hUPguWf_jWeDC1fmOgSKSXPv4xGnkQIPUi3zhfH540/edit?usp=sharing Resources: Singer, Tracey; Madanguit, Lance MD; Fok, King T. MD, MSc; Stauffer, Catherine E. MD; Meeks, Lisa M. PhD, MA; Moreland, Christopher J. MD, MPH; Huang, Lynn MS; Case, Benjamin MPH; Lagu, Tara MD, MPH; Kannam, Allison MD; Haywood, Carol PhD, OTR/L. Mapping the Landscape of Technical Standards: A Nationwide Review of Medical Schools. Academic Medicine 100(10S):p S144-S151, October 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000006135   McKee, M.M., Gay, S., Ailey, S., Meeks, L.M. (2020). Technical Standards. In: Meeks, L., Neal-Boylan, L. (eds) Disability as Diversity. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46187-4_9 Equal Access for Students with Disabilities: The Guide for Health Science and Professional Education (2nd Ed). Meeks LM, Jain NR, & Laird EP. Springer Publishing, 2020. Key Words: Disability inclusion · Technical standards · Medical education · Admissions · Accessibility · Equity · Policy reform

    42 min
  3. Episode 123: Evaluating Disability-Inclusive Content on U.S. Medical Schools' Websites: A National Study

    10/22/2025

    Episode 123: Evaluating Disability-Inclusive Content on U.S. Medical Schools' Websites: A National Study

    Episode 123: Evaluating Disability-Inclusive Content on U.S. Medical Schools' Websites—A National Study Interviewees: Ifeoma Ikedionwu, MD — Psychiatry and Internal Medicine Dual Intern, UT Southwestern Dominique Cook — Fourth-Year Medical Student, University of South Florida Interviewer: Lisa Meeks, PhD, MA — Guest Editor, Academic Medicine Supplement on Disability Inclusion in Undergraduate Medical Education Description: In this episode of Stories Behind the Science, Dr. Lisa Meeks sits down with Dr. Ifeoma Ikedionwu and Dominique Cook, co-authors of the first national study examining how medical school websites communicate disability inclusion. Their paper, Evaluating Disability-Inclusive Content on U.S. Medical Schools' Websites: A National Study, is part of the Academic Medicine supplement on Disability Inclusion in Undergraduate Medical Education. What do medical schools' digital front doors say about who belongs? The conversation explores how public-facing messages shape applicants' sense of access, belonging, and possibility—and why visibility is the first step toward equity. Ikedionwu and Cook share how their lived experiences as medical students with and without disabilities inspired a research project that merges advocacy, analysis, and systemic change. Together, they unpack the challenges of quantifying inclusivity, the nuance of intersecting identities, and the powerful role of student-led research in shaping institutional accountability. The episode underscores how every mission statement, technical standard, and accessibility page sends a message—and how aligning those messages with institutional values can create a more inclusive path for future physicians. Listeners will leave with actionable insights: Audit your institution's website for clarity, tone, and accessibility. Engage learners with lived experience in reviewing public materials. Translate inclusion from policy into practice—and from practice into visibility. Because as Ikedionwu reminds us, "It's not enough to do the work—you have to share it, so others can find their way." Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UmiXVs8wESM28eRYAM-d13IuJTV6VzR2khagExHF12A/edit?usp=sharing Resources: Article from Today's Talk: Ikedionwu I, Cook D, Kim N, Cotts J, Case B, Meeks LM. Evaluating Disability-Inclusive Content on U.S. Medical Schools' Websites: A National Study. Academic Medicine. 2025;100(10S):S60–S67. Read the full article here → Related Reading: Equal Access for Students with Disabilities: The Guide for Health Science and Professional Education (2nd Ed). Meeks LM, Jain NR, & Laird EP. Springer Publishing, 2020. 🎧 The Docs With Disabilities Podcast: https://www.docswithdisabilities.org/docswithpodcast Key Words: Disability inclusion · Medical education · Admissions · Accessibility · Representation

    44 min
  4. Episode 122: Clinical Accommodations in Undergraduate Medical Education

    10/17/2025

    Episode 122: Clinical Accommodations in Undergraduate Medical Education

    Interviewees: Matthew Sullivan, PhD, Assistant Director of Disability Resources, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Suchita "Suchi" Rastogi, PhD. MPH Candidate, University of Illinois Chicago; CEO, Disability in Medicine Mutual Mentorship Program Interviewer: Lisa Meeks, PhD, MA, Guest Editor, Academic Medicine Supplement on Disability Inclusion in Undergraduate Medical Education Description: In this episode of Stories Behind the Science, Dr. Lisa Meeks talks with Matt Sullivan (Washington University School of Medicine) and Suchita "Suchi" Rastogi (UIC; DM3P) about their paper, "Standardized Language for Clinical Accommodations in U.S. Undergraduate Medical Training: Results From a National Modified Delphi Consensus Study,"part of the Academic Medicine supplement on Disability Inclusion in UME. Their conversation explores how a grassroots idea—born from students' lived experiences and practitioners' urgent need for clarity—grew into the first national, evidence-based language guide for clinical accommodations. Together, they unpack how a modified Delphi process brought students, Disability Resource Professionals, and leaders together to build consensus around the precise language that transforms intention into implementation. The trio discuss how language and word choices can make the difference between support and confusion, and how transparent, shared language strengthens trust and access for all. Dr. Meeks, Sullivan, and Rastogi also reflect on the collaborative model that made this project possible—one that centers disabled voices, encourages vulnerability in leadership, and demonstrates how clarity in communication is the foundation of equity. Listeners will come away with practical takeaways for institutions and leaders: audit your accommodation templates, build structured partnerships between DRPs and Student Affairs, and engage students as co-creators in designing accessible clinical environments. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ooJ5TP8V8s4t35EECoWHNTta7qqwbKlx-Fgu_WIiPG4/edit?usp=sharing Bios: Matt Sullivan PhD Dr. Sullivan is the Assistant Director of Disability Resources, At Washington University in St. Louis, and serves as DR's liaison to WashU's School of Medicine, acting as the primary contact for SoM faculty/staff, students, and prospective students.  In this role, Matt works closely with all parties to create an accessible and inclusive educational environment for disabled students pursuing their degrees within Health Sciences and Medicine. Dr. Sullivan is a research-oriented practitioner dedicated to promoting disability awareness and inclusion within the higher education environment.  In his student affairs roles, Dr. Sullivan has experience providing leadership and direction for a variety of programs and services in the areas of disability, testing, tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, and academic coaching.  Working in the field of disability services for more than a decade, Matt has dedicated his time and energy to the education and development of students, faculty, and staff surrounding the intersectionality of disability with race, culture, gender, and other prominent identity factors. Suchita "Suchi" Rastogi PhD Suchi is an MPH student at the University of Illinois Chicago and CEO of the Disability in Medicine Mutual Mentorship Program (DM3P). A former MD-PhD student at Stanford University, she advocates for accessible medical education and leads community-based efforts to promote disability inclusion and peer mentorship. As a South Asian disability activist, she values health equity and compassionately designed systems that serve all people with dignity. She believes everyone deserves respect, access to material resources, and psychosocial support. These values compel her to improve healthcare and public health infrastructure for disabled patients, increase disability representation in medicine, and shift attitudes towards persons with disability. To accomplish this, she 1) run a mentorship program (DM3P) for healthcare professionals with disability, 2) conducts disability health equity research, and 3) advocates for evidence-based policies that center accessibility. Key Words: Clinical accommodations · Disability inclusion · Medical students · Disability Resource Professionals ADA Resources: Article from Today's Talk: Dhanani Z, Rastogi S, Sullivan M, Betchkal R, Poullos P, Meeks LM. Standardized Language for Clinical Accommodations in U.S. Undergraduate Medical Training: Results From a National Modified Delphi Consensus Study.Academic Medicine. 2025;100(10S):S92–S97. DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000006150 Read the full article here → Equal Access for Students with Disabilities: The Guide for Health Science and Professional Education (2nd Ed). Meeks LM, Jain NR, & Laird EP. Springer Publishing, 2020. Read here → The Docs With Disabilities Podcast: https://www.docswithdisabilities.org/docswithpodcast

    58 min
  5. Episode 121: Promoting Disability Inclusion Through an Expanded Conceptual Framework of the Learning Environment

    10/09/2025

    Episode 121: Promoting Disability Inclusion Through an Expanded Conceptual Framework of the Learning Environment

    Interviewee: Erick Hung, MD, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Associate Dean for Students, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine Interviewer: Lisa Meeks, PhD, MA, Guest Editor, Academic Medicine Supplement on Disability Inclusion in Undergraduate Medical Education Description: In this episode of Stories Behind the Science, Dr. Lisa Meeks talks with Dr. Erick Hung (UCSF) about his paper, "Promoting Disability Inclusion Through an Expanded Conceptual Framework of the Learning Environment," part of the Academic Medicine supplement on Disability Inclusion in UME. Their conversation explores how a single student story at UCSF sparked a full-scale rethinking of what it means to create an equitable learning environment. Dr. Hung walks us through the journey—from a campus task force to a conceptual framework that now guides systemic change nationwide. Together, they unpack the six domains of the learning environment, including a new and critical addition: the societal layer, which recognizes how broader cultural forces shape belonging, access, and success. The discussion touches on mentorship, student advocacy, technical standards reform, and what it means to move beyond compliance toward culture change. Dr. Hung also reflects on humility in leadership, the importance of systems thinking, and how conceptual frameworks become living roadmaps for equity. Listeners will come away with practical takeaways for schools and leaders—build peer networks, re-evaluate policies through an inclusion lens, and invite students into the co-creation of change. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aO6cvl-_b82AONsV7V4LmS1Y8r6sI8zVtWKzWPlHakw/edit?usp=sharing Bios: Erick Hung, MD is Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Associate Dean for Students at UCSF School of Medicine. A UCSF graduate and psychiatrist by training, he has led major institutional efforts to foster student well-being, belonging, and disability inclusion. His scholarship and leadership focus on systems approaches to learner flourishing, inclusive learning environments, and advocacy for equitable policy reform in medical education. Key Words: Learning environment Disability inclusion Medical students Systems thinking Societal drivers Technical standards Belonging Well-being Institutional change Resources: Article from Today's Talk: Theall, Alexandra C.P.; Crandall, Joanne E., MD; Gamboa, Haley N., MS, MD; Chichioco, Michael; Hughes, Sarah E.; Gruppen, Larry, PhD; Hung, Erick, MD. Promoting Disability Inclusion Through an Expanded Conceptual Framework of the Learning Environment. Academic Medicine, 100(10S): S84-S91, October 2025. DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000006148 Read the full article here The Docs With Disabilities Podcast: https://www.docswithdisabilities.org/docswithpodcast

    38 min
  6. Episode 120: The Intersection of Disability, Race, Ethnicity, and Financial Background on Food Insecurity Among Medical Students

    10/02/2025

    Episode 120: The Intersection of Disability, Race, Ethnicity, and Financial Background on Food Insecurity Among Medical Students

    Interviewee: Bassel Shanab, BS is a fourth-year medical student at the Yale School of Medicine.  Interviewer:  Lisa Meeks, PhD, MA, Guest Editor, Academic Medicine Supplement on Disability Inclusion in UME. Description: This episode of Stories Behind the Science sits down with Bassel Shanab (Yale School of Medicine), co-first author of "The Intersection of Disability, Race, Ethnicity, and Financial Background on Food Insecurity Among Medical Students," part of the Academic Medicine supplement on Disability Inclusion in UME. We move beyond prevalence rates to the lived realities behind them—and why hunger so often hides in plain sight in elite training environments. Bassel shares the personal experiences that shaped his questions, the multi-institutional data that sharpened the answers, and the practical moves any school can make now: screen routinely, get cost-of-living estimates right, normalize help-seeking, and invest in evidence-based campus supports. Along the way, we talk flourishing (not just "fixing"), student-led research networks, and why transparency beats stigma every time. Whether you're a dean, DRP, faculty member, or student, this conversation offers a humane roadmap from surviving to thriving. Links to the open-access article, and related tools are in the show notes. Transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/184LJqvcAgHGmpHyOcaxOxRw4yetR7qrGPPin0HDX7i4/edit?usp=sharing   Bios:   Bassel Shanab, BS is a fourth-year medical student at the Yale School of Medicine. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and Global Health Studies from Northwestern University, graduating with distinction. His academic interests include medical education, cardiovascular health, social determinants of health, and health policy. Key Words:   Food insecurity Medical students Disability Race and ethnicity Underrepresented in medicine (URiM) Low-income background Intersectionality Student well-being Academic performance   Resources:  Article from Today's Talk The Intersection of Disability, Race, Ethnicity, and Financial Background on Food Insecurity Among Medical Students   Nguyen, Mytien MS; Shanab, Bassel M.; Khosla, Pavan; Boatright, Dowin MD, MBA, MHS; Chaudhry, Sarwat I. MD; Brandt, Eric J. MD, MHS; Hammad, Nour M. MS; Grob, Karri L. EdD, MA; Brinker, Morgan; Cannon, Caden; Cermack, Katherine; Fathali, Maha; Kincaid, John W.R. MS, MPhil; Ma, Yuxing Emily; Ohno, Yuu MS; Pradeep, Aishwarya; Quintero, Anitza MBA; Raja, Neelufar; Rooney, Brendan L.; Stogniy, Sasha; Smith, Kiara K.; Sun, George; Sunkara, Jahnavi; Tang, Belinda; Rubick, Gabriella VanAken MD; Wang, JiCi MD; Bhagwagar, Sanaea Z.; Luzum, Nathan; Liu, Frank MS; Francis, John S. MD, PhD; Meeks, Lisa M. PhD, MA; Leung, Cindy W. PhD. The Intersection of Disability, Race, Ethnicity, and Financial Background on Food Insecurity Among Medical Students. Academic Medicine 100(10S):p S113-S118, October 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000006156   https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/fulltext/2025/10001/the_intersection_of_disability,_race,_ethnicity,.12.aspx The Docs With Disabilities Podcast https://www.docswithdisabilities.org/docswithpodcast

    48 min
  7. Episode 119: Disability in Undergraduate Medical Education in the United States: A Scoping Review

    09/27/2025

    Episode 119: Disability in Undergraduate Medical Education in the United States: A Scoping Review

    Interviewees: Kirsten Brown, PhD Assistant Professor of Health Professions Education at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; as a short disclaimer, Kirsten's views do not represent the official policy or position of her employer.  Dionna Bidny, MD, MMUS  a first-year resident in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, currently completing her Transitional Year; and Abby Konoposky, PhD Senior Director of Medical Education Research in the Department of Psychiatry at Northwell Health. Interviewer:  Lisa Meeks, PhD, MA, Guest Editor, Academic Medicine Supplement on Disability Inclusion in UME. Description: This episode of Stories Behind the Science brings you an intimate conversation with Dr. Kirsten Brown (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences), Dr. Dionna Bidny (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), and Dr. Abby Konopasky (Northwell Health), co-authors of Disability in Undergraduate Medical Education in the United States: A Scoping Review, part of the Academic Medicine supplement on Disability Inclusion in Undergraduate Medical Education. Drawing from over 80 publications, their study traces how disability in medical education has too often been framed through deficit and legal models, while leaving intersectionality and the voices of disabled learners largely absent. Together, we explore why this framing matters, what the literature reveals about gaps and progress, and how a critical perspective can re-shape the field. Our guests share the personal and professional motivations behind this ambitious review, the surprises and challenges they encountered, and their hopes for how this work can serve as both roadmap and catalyst. Whether you are a researcher, faculty member, disability resource professional, or student, this episode offers insights into the state of the field and inspiration for charting new directions. Resources and links to the open-access article, Disability Resource Hub, and related tools are in the show notes. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iUYE0Q-2TA1flXiMU6rum1S3dO-obE5DoA9J0mFmHlE/edit?usp=sharing Bios:   Kirsten Brown, PhD Dr. Kirsten Brown's research examines the intersection of disability, power, and social systems. Her work has appeared in the Journal of College Student Development, the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, and Journal of Higher Education. She co-authored the book Disability in Higher Education: A Social Justice Approach. Dr. Brown prepared this chapter during non-work hours as an independent scholar and this publication did not receive funding from the federal government. The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not represent the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.  Abigail Konopasky, PhD Abigail Konopasky holds doctorates in educational psychology from George Mason University and in linguistics from Princeton University. She is currently an Associate Professor and Director of Medical Education Research and Scholarship in the Psychiatry Department at Northwell Health. She conducts critical qualitative and mixed methods research in health professions education, with a focus on equity, Black feminism, and critical disability studies using functional linguistic and narrative methods and theories of agency. She serves on the editorial boards of Teaching and Learning in Medicine, Perspectives on Medical Education, and Advances in Health Sciences Education. Dionna Bidny, MD, MMus  Dionna is a first year resident at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (currently  in her  Transitional Year). She has a BS in biomedical engineering and an  MMus in Musicology; she incorporated her interest in accessibility in arts, sports, and healthcare spaces through research during both degrees. In medical school, she continued to study and lecture in the space of disability  justice and its intersections with art, identity,  and healthcare experience, all  while navigating  chronic illness and pursuit of her own  accommodation and access needs. In residency, she aims to continue her work in accessibility within arts and sports through community engagement and engineering innovation. Key Words:   Disability in medical education Undergraduate medical education (UME) Disability inclusion Scoping review Academic Medicine supplement Deficit model vs. asset model Legal framing of disability Intersectionality in medicine Disabled learners' voices Critical perspectives in medical education Equity in medical training Accommodations in medical education Disability justice Ableism in medicine Representation in health professions Research roadmap Diversity and inclusion in medicine Disability studies in medical education Inclusive curriculum Systemic barriers in medical education Resources:  Article from Today's Talk Maggio, Lauren A. PhD; Brown, Kirsten R. PhD; Costello, Joseph A. MSIS; Konopasky, Aaron PhD, JD; Bidny, Dionna MD, MMus; Konopasky, Abigail PhD. Disability in Undergraduate Medical Education in the United States: A Scoping Review. Academic Medicine 100(10S):p S64-S73, October 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000006154 https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/fulltext/2025/10001/disability_in_undergraduate_medical_education_in.5.aspx   The Docs With Disabilities Podcast https://www.docswithdisabilities.org/docswithpodcast

    44 min
  8. Episode 118: Preparing to Thrive: Supporting Learners with Disabilities Through the Undergraduate-to-Graduate Medical Education Transition

    09/27/2025

    Episode 118: Preparing to Thrive: Supporting Learners with Disabilities Through the Undergraduate-to-Graduate Medical Education Transition

    Interviewees: Dr. Zoie Sheets, Resident Physician in the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Chicago; and Dr. Nalinda Charnsangavej, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Residency Program Director at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. Interviewer:  Lisa Meeks, PhD, MA, Guest Editor, Academic Medicine Supplement on Disability Inclusion in UME. Description: Preparing to Thrive: Supporting Learners with Disabilities Through the Undergraduate-to-Graduate Medical Education Transition This episode of Stories Behind the Science brings you an intimate conversation with Dr. Zoie Sheets (University of Chicago) and Dr. Nalinda Charnsangavej (Dell Medical School, UT Austin), co-authors of Preparing to Thrive, part of the Academic Medicine supplement on Disability Inclusion in Undergraduate Medical Education. We go beyond the article to uncover the motivations, lived experiences, and research that shaped their scholarship. Together, we explore four critical decision points that can shape the trajectory of disabled medical students as they move from UME to GME: Disclosure decisions Specialty selection Program selection Requesting and utilizing accommodations in residency Zoie and Nalinda share how research, mentorship, and community informed their work, and why bridging this "black box" transition period is essential for cultivating a more inclusive profession. Whether you're a program director, DRP, advisor, or student, this episode offers insights and concrete strategies to ensure learners are not just surviving this pivotal transition—but thriving. Resources and links to the open-access article, Disability Resource Hub, and related tools are in the show notes. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h4bh81klK-mfP3grm5LNzmYp-czCEP_haP704aJBekk/edit?usp=sharing Bios:   Nalinda Charnsangavej, MD is Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin where she serves as the pediatric residency program director. She serves as Co-Chair of the Disability in Graduate Medical Education group as part of the Docs with Disabilities Initiative and Co-Chair of the UME to GME Transitions Committee for the Disability Resource Hub -- the result of a collaboration between the ACGME and DWDI. As a program director, she is interested in fostering a healthy and supportive learning environment that promotes physician well-being and resilience. Her current work focuses on the transition from medical school to residency training and how to support learners with disabilities during this critical transition period. Outside of medical education, she enjoys spending time with her family, teaching her children how to cook, and attending Texas Longhorn sporting events. Zoie C. Sheets, MD, MPH is a resident physician in internal medicine and pediatrics (Med/Peds) at the University of Chicago. She is also a leader within the Docs with Disabilities Initiative, serving as Co-Chair of the Disability in Graduate Medical Education group and Co-Chair of the UME to GME Transitions Committee for the creation of a Disability Resource Hub — a collaboration between ACGME and DWDI. She believes deeply that increasing the number of disabled clinicians can transform medical education and practice, for providers and patients alike. Her current research focus centers on how graduate medical education can best support learners with disabilities, particularly during the challenging transition out of UME. In her free time, Zoie loves to read, re-watch too many medical dramas, and play with her two cats!  Key Words:   Disability inclusion Medical education Undergraduate medical education (UME) Graduate medical education (GME) UME–GME transition Disabled medical students Residency accommodations Program director support Disability Resource Professionals (DRPs) Academic Medicine  Resources:  Article from Today's Talk Sheets, Zoie C. MD, MPH; Fausone, Maureen MD, MA; Messman, Anne MD, MHPE; Ortega, Pilar MD, MGM; Ramsay, Jessica MD; Creasman, Megan MD, MA; Charnsangavej, Nalinda MD. Preparing to Thrive: Supporting Learners With Disabilities Through the Undergraduate-to-Graduate Medical Education Transition. Academic Medicine 100(10S):p S161-S165, October 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000006136   The Disability Resource Hub from ACGME and DocsWithDisabilities  https://bit.ly/DisabilityResourceHUB_GME   The Docs With Disabilities Podcast https://www.docswithdisabilities.org/docswithpodcast   Docs With Disabilities You Tube, Disability in Graduate Medical Education Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc4XEizXENYw58ptzAgfxBA4q3uLRcmx6   Docs With Disabilities Disability in Graduate Medical Education Working Group https://www.docswithdisabilities.org/digme

    39 min
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4.9
out of 5
49 Ratings

About

Join hosts Drs. Lisa Meeks, Peter Poullos and guest hosts as they take a deeper dive into the experiences of health care providers with disabilities through critical conversations with the doctors, researchers, administrators, faculty and policy makers that work to ensure medicine remains an equal opportunity profession.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Lisa Meeks and Dr. Peter Poullos
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    136
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2019 Lisa Meeks
  • Show Website
    Docs With Disabilities