Navigating medical school is challenging enough, but navigating with a disability, chronic illness, or neurodiversity can add an additional barrier. A 2020 JAMA study found that only 3% of physicians identified as having a disability, compared to more than 25% of the general U.S. population. However, these demographics are shifting. A different 2020 study reported that 7.5% of medical students and residents identified themselves as having a disability.
WSU medical students are working to add to the conversation about these topics by starting a registered student organization. Mikayla Beckley and Natalie Stagnone, now second-year medical students, started Inclusive Medical Coalition last fall with the support of their advisor Sarah Kenney, MEd, assistant director of the Student Learning Center.
Inclusive Medical Coalition’s goal is to provide community and opportunities for students with disabilities, chronic illness, and neurodiversity and to educate all students on topics related to disability, chronic illness, and neurodiversity. Membership is open to all WSU Spokane students with and without disabilities, including those interested in learning more about disability.
Starting last October, Inclusive Medical Coalition has been hosting one event each month, including both educational and social events. For example, they hosted a conversation with The Arc of Spokane about the health care disparities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and what we as health care providers can do to support this population. The organization also brought in a physician who is deaf to talk about their experiences navigating early education, medical school, and being a practicing physician. One of the social events they hosted last year was a Friendsgiving where they talked about the language related to disability, chronic illness, and neurodivergence.
“Inclusive Medical Coalition has greatly enhanced my medical school experience,” said Natalie Stagnone. “It has connected me with peers who are going through similar challenges and given me the opportunity to talk about my passion for disability advocacy and inclusion. I hope that the Inclusive Medical Coalition continues to give a sense of community to students with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or neurodiversity as well as those wanting to learn more about these identities.”
Inclusive Medical Coalition is a chapter of the national organization Medical Students with Disability and Chronic Illness (MSDCI). Similar to the Inclusive Medical Coalition, MSDCI works to increase accessibility of medical education for trainees of all abilities as well as advocating for and improving health equity for patients with disabilities. There are currently 41 chapters of MSDCI across the country, all but five of which are on the east coast. Inclusive Medical Coalition is the first chapter in Washington or the Pacific Northwest.
If you are interested in learning more about Inclusive Medical Coalition, have an idea for an event, or want to talk more, please reach out to Natalie Stagnone at natalie.stagnone@wsu.edu, Mikayla Beckley at mikayla.beckley@wsu.edu, or Sarah Kenney at sarah.kenney@wsu.edu. They are actively looking for individuals or groups to come talk about their experiences in health care with a disability, chronic illness, or neurodivergence, related research, and connecting with other departments at WSU.