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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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