Episode 72: Drs. Uyen Troung and Nalinda Charnsangavej

Description:

In this episode, Dr. Meeks, Dr. Troung, and Dr. Charnsangavej discuss the residency accommodation system from multiple perspectives, the importance of team-wide support in GME to ensure access for doctors with disabilities, and the value disabled doctors bring to health care. 

Interviewees: Dr. Uyen Troung, and Dr. Nalinda Charnsangavej 

Interviewer: Dr. Lisa Meeks

Producer:  Gabe Abrams 

Key words: medical education, physical disability, disability research, accommodations, wheelchair, SCI, medical technology, residency, pediatrics, program director, GME, GME Policy

Bio:

Uyen Truong, MD grew up in Minnesota but is currently finishing her chief year at UT Austin Dell Medical School Pediatric Residency Program. Following graduation, Uyen is going to work as a Complex Care Pediatrician back in Minnesota. Although the path has not been easy, she has always wanted to become a pediatrician and work with kids with medical complexity like herself. Through Uyen%E2%80%99s training and her own personal experiences, she has been able to help parents and children navigate the medical system. Uyen is very excited to continue working and advocating for children with disabilities and helping them achieve their goals.

Nalinda Charnsangavej, MD is an associate professor of pediatrics at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. She serves as the pediatric residency program director and has an interest in promoting a healthy and supportive learning environment through supporting diversity, cultivating an inclusive climate, and promoting physician well-being and resilience. She has a specific interest in raising awareness of the benefits of inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the learning environment and patient care and has supported faculty and institution development in working with trainees with disabilities. In her role as a program director, she has individually mentored many trainees and also recognizes the need to support the establishment of strong mentorship relationships for trainees, particularly those from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine. She has led program-wide efforts to foster wellbeing and resiliency amongst trainees and participates in national work-groups such as the Pediatric Resident Burnout and Resilience Study Consortium. She is interested in helping develop best practices for GME programs to enhance access and inclusion of trainees with disabilities.

Transcript