Disability Resource Professionals (DRPs): Supporting Disability Equity and Accessibility (IDEAS) - April 22

Associate Professor of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan

Dr. Meeks is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Departments of Learning Health Sciences and Family Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School and Executive Director of the Docs with Disabilities Initiative (DWDI). In these roles she heads the Meeks Research Lab and oversees nine programs within the initiative. Meeks is internationally recognized for her work on disability inclusion in Medical Education and regularly collaborates with health professions associations. She is co-creator of the social media campaign #DocsWithDisabilities, co-host of the Docs with Disabilities Podcast, co-developer of the AAMC Disability Webinar Series, and lead author and PI of the AAMC Special Report: Accessibility, Inclusion, and Action in Medical Education: Lived Experiences of Learners and Physicians with Disabilities and Disability Lead for the ACGME Equity Matters Initiative. Currently, she serves as an advisor to the ACGME committee on DEI.

Director, Center for Learning Excellence, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Sarah Triano, MS, NCC, LPC, is the Director of the Center for Learning Excellence at Geisinger College of Health Sciences where she oversees the disability services for the school’s nursing, Doctor of Medicine, and master’s in biomedical sciences programs. Sarah is co-chair of Access in Medicine (AIM), a program of the Doctors With Disabilities Initiative (DWDI), a working group focused on creating resources and guidance to improve equitable opportunities for students with disabilities and is passionate about creating a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible space for students with disabilities in medicine and health science programs.

Lead Disability Specialist, University of California, Riverside

Jennifer Biggers is the lead disability specialist at the Student Disability Resource Center at University of California-Riverside. Jennifer works with students with psychological disabilities, chronic health conditions, and learning disabilities. She works with learners in medical education along with students in graduate and professional programs.

Disability Access Resource Specialist, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Kara serves as a Disability Access Resource Specialist at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, bringing over two decades of experience in higher education disability services. Kara has actively participated, including mentoring new professionals and professional development in various projects within the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), and as a distinguished member of the inaugural DRP Academy in 2022-2023. She currently holds the role of Co-Chair for the Docs With Disabilities Initiative – Access In Medicine (AIM) program. For Kara, fostering equitable and inclusive environments is not just a professional obligation but a genuine passion and life's mission. Her dedication extends to collaborative efforts, where she enjoys learning, growing with others, and collectively integrating disability into the diverse fabric of our surroundings.

Assistant Dean, Academic Advising; Assistant Professor of Medical Education, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

William Eidtson is Assistant Professor of Medical Education and Assistant Dean for Academic Advising at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. Dr. Eidtson teaches learning strategies and supports students, faculty, and staff with disability and accessibility related concerns. His current research explores the connections between modifiable behaviors and academic performance, as well as the intersections of learning support and universal design. Dr. Eidtson holds a doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University as well as degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and New College of Florida.