“I want to be able to show that we as healthcare providers, healthcare professionals, can be disabled and still be excellent healthcare providers.” — Katherine Vakil (Fellow. 2022)
In this Disability Power Series, there is a critical conversation on the importance of representation in healthcare featuring Dr. Lisa Meeks of Docs with Disabilities. Dr. Meeks was in conversation with Disability Lead Members Katherine Vakil, Kruti Shah, and Dr. Zoie Sheets, where they shared their journeys as disabled leaders, discussed the impact of the Docs with Disabilities initiative, and highlighted how disabled representation is crucial for the future of inclusive healthcare.
Here are some highlights from their wide-ranging conversation.
Dr. Lisa Meeks, Founder, Docs With Disabilities
“When Docs With Disabilities creates an environment where people can work in ways that honor their bodies and minds authentically, the work itself is so much stronger and richer and more innovative.” – Dr. Lisa Meeks
Lisa Meeks, PhD, is a Professor of Medical Education at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and a global leader in disability inclusion. As founder of the Docs with Disabilities Initiative, she has driven policy and practice advancements that reshape health professions education. Dr. Meeks reflected on how she came to create Docs With Disabilities, and the impact of the initiative, specifically on how stories are more effective than data and reports.
Kruti Shah, Oak Street Health Pharmacist
“It was a moment of profound realization that I am not alone, that my struggles were not just my own, they were a call to action.” – Kruti Shah (Fellow. 2023)
Kruti Parikh Shah, PharmD, is a Pharmacist for Oak Street Health. In her role, she ensures safe and effective use of medications, provides collaborative drug therapy management, and offers excellent patient care. Being a woman of color and having a disability, she is passionate about Disability, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. During this event, Kruti moderated the conversation and shared her experiences with self-advocacy during the pandemic and finding community through Docs with Disabilities.
Katherine Vakil, Erie Family Health Centers Pharmacy Services Manager
“There are days when it's hard, and that's OK. It doesn't mean that I'm a bad pharmacist. It's just a hard day, and I now have a community to lean on. And that truly, again, makes me feel less alone.” - Katherine Vakil
Katherine Vakil is the Pharmacy Services Manager at Erie Family Health Centers. Katherine established a new Pharmacy Services team at Erie, which focuses on medication access for patients. During the conversation, Katherine reflects on authenticity, being an inclusive leader, and finding community—especially with other Hard of Hearing pharmacists like Kruti.
Dr. Zoie Sheets, University of Chicago Resident Physician
“Doctors who get it can not only connect with their patients, but they can also transform the perspective of colleagues who are witnessing these conversations and seeing what it means to show up in a disability affirmative way.” - Dr. Zoie C. Sheets
Dr. Zoie C. Sheets is a resident physician in both internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Chicago. Her work focuses on the intersection of disability and medicine, promoting access and inclusion for both disabled physicians and patients. Living with a disability herself, she has witnessed the harm perpetuated by ableism in healthcare. She believes that expanding the number of disabled doctors will improve outcomes for those with disabilities. During the conversation, Zoie shared examples of her work with disabled patients, expanding medical providers’ understanding of disability, why disabled people should be in the healthcare field, and how leadership is about showing up and being honest and willing to engage.
Access the transcript here.