Stanford Conference on Disability in
Healthcare and Medicine
Saturday, April 27, 2024
8:00am - 3:40pm PT

Dear Community, 

Join us for the Fifth Annual Conference on Disability in Healthcare and Medicine on Saturday, April 27, 2024 via livestream and Zoom breakout groups! This virtual conference aims to support students and healthcare providers with disabilities, training healthcare providers to better care for patients with disabilities, and provide research into the intersection of providers and patients with disabilities.

This conference will be a deep learning opportunity for medical students, residents and fellows, medical doctors, nursing students and nurses, PA students and PA’s, hospital administration, and additional interested healthcare providers and allies.

Sincerely, 

Pete Poullos, MD and Ken Sutha, MD, PhD
Co-Chairs


8:00am - 8:20am

Opening Remarks

Dismantling the Roadblocks to Health Equity for People with Disabilities

8:20am - 9:10am

Session 1: The Power and Impact of Storytelling: A Live Recording of the DocsWithDisabilities Podcast

The panel will feature some of the most popular DocsWithDisabilities podcast interviewees. The panelists will discuss the interview experience, feelings of self-empowerment, and how participating on the podcast has affected their lives and careers.

9:10am - 10:00am

Session 2: Healthcare Barriers and Experiences for LGBTQ+ People with Disabilities: Using Data and Storytelling to Address Disparities

Currently, there is limited research and data available on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) people with disabilities. However, existing research has shown that LGBTQ+ disability communities experience inequities often in healthcare settings and those inequalities also take place in their everyday lives. The intersection of disability and LGBTQ+ identity may also contribute to several of the barriers, and inequities faced by this population. Additionally, those experiences differ even within the LGBTQ+ community, especially for transgender and gender diverse individuals.

This session will 1) explore the current research on LGBTQ+ people with disabilities, 2) discuss findings from The PRIDE Study on healthcare barriers, mental health outcomes, and assessment of disabling health for LGBTQ+ people with disabilities, and 3) use storytelling to expand on the challenges faced as an LGBTQ+ person living a disability and its effects on quality of healthcare services.

10:00am - 10:10am

AM Break

10:10am - 11:00am

Session 3: Fostering Inclusion by Embedding a Culture of Disability

This session emphasizes the importance of integrating disability culture within organizations to foster a truly inclusive environment. The presentation will delve into strategies for cultivating a workplace that values and celebrates diversity, specifically focusing on the unique perspectives and contributions of individuals with disabilities. Key topics covered in the presentation may include understanding the principles of disability culture, providing examples of inclusive policies and practices, and creating a supportive atmosphere that encourages the active participation of people with disabilities. Participants will gain insights into the benefits of embracing a culture of disability, not only in terms of compliance but going well above “compliance” to achieve an understanding of the importance of promoting equality, understanding, and collaboration within the organizational context.

11:00am - 11:45am

Lunch

11:45am - 12:35pm

Session 4: Through their lens: Using storytelling to demonstrate the critical role of program access across the medical education continuum

Disability identity is underrepresented in the US healthcare workforce with considerable attrition across the training to practice continuum. Findings from research studies across the continuum (UME, GME and practice) suggests that program access is critical to trainee wellbeing, academic performance, and clinical errors. Moreover, lack of program access is partially due to fear of stigma or bias, lack of a clear institutional process for requesting accommodations, a lack of documentation, uninformed disability resource professionals at the UME and GME level and mistreatment.

Using the power of storytelling, this presentation tells the story and trajectories of learners, leading the audience through a comprehensive overview of existing literature, shedding light on the underlying reasons for non-disclosure and the barriers that span across various domains including admissions, DEI initiatives, academic progression, critical high stakes exams, career advising and transition to GME.

12:35pm - 1:25pm

Session 5: Mutual Mentorship: an accessible tool to navigate an inaccessible world

The Disability in Medicine Mutual Mentorship Program (DM3P): Through the lens of participant perspectives, learn how a grassroots model of mutual mentorship has supported members' sense of belonging and provided tools to navigate training and careers in healthcare.

1:25pm - 1:35pm

PM Break

1:35pm - 2:10pm

Breakout Session

Join us to learn about giving and receiving mentorship with the Disability in Medicine Mutual Mentorship Program (DM3P). Find out more to see if it's right for you. Get on-boarded and get all of your questions answered.

2:10pm - 2:50pm

Session 6: AI in Disability Healthcare

This session aims to explore ethical considerations and JEDI (justice equity diversity inclusion) prioritization with relevant frameworks to catalyze advancements at the intersection of AI, disability, and healthcare for a more inclusive and equitable future.

2:50pm - 3:30pm

Synthesis Session

3:30pm - 3:40pm

Closing Remarks