Episode 110: ACGME/DWDI Disability Resource Hub Case Study: Physical Disability in a Pediatrics Residency

Interviewees: Uyen Troung, MD and Nalinda Charnsangavej, MD

Interviewer: Lisa Meeks, PhD, MA

Description:

What does it take to create true accessibility in residency training? In this episode, Dr. Lisa Meeks is joined by Dr. Uyen Truong, Chief Resident at the UT-Austin Dell Medical School Pediatric Residency Program, and Dr. Nalinda Charnsangavej, the program’s Director, for a candid conversation about disability inclusion in graduate medical education.

Together, they share the story behind Dr. Truong’s residency journey as a wheelchair user—from early planning and proactive accommodations to the team-wide commitment that made access possible. Listeners will hear how trust, open communication, and creative problem-solving helped dismantle barriers, and how the presence of physicians with disabilities strengthens patient care, especially for disabled children and their families.

The discussion also dives into the practical side of accommodations in GME: what an access assistant does (and doesn’t do), how to navigate procedural requirements, and the role of accrediting bodies like the ACGME and the American Board of Pediatrics in supporting inclusive training.

This episode is part of the Disability Resource Hub series, made possible by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Catalyst Award for Transformation in Graduate Medical Education, and offers valuable insights for program directors, residents, and anyone committed to building equitable clinical learning environments.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mRUsqcVjm5oGQgPzV6tuzQxvyOH-0osSxVHeOeIC3qM/edit?usp=sharing

Key words:

Medical education, physical disability, disability research, residency, 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.

Producer:  Gabe Abrams  and Lisa Meeks

Audio editor: Jacob Feeman

Follow Us:

• X: @DocsWith

• Instagram: @DocsWithDisabilities

• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/docs-with-disabilities-initiative

Resources: 

Disability Resource Hub: https://dl.acgme.org/pages/disability-resource-hub

Case Studies in Disability Resource Hub: https://dl.acgme.org/pages/disability-resource-hub#case_studies

UME to GME Toolkit: 

https://dl.acgme.org/pages/disability-resource-hub-transitions-toolkit-introduction

Policy Toolkit: https://dl.acgme.org/pages/disability-resource-hub-policy-toolkit

Link to Case Study: Proactive Approaches for a Wheelchair User in Pediatric Residency: A Case Study for Disability Inclusion 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876285924005643

Disability in Graduate Medical Education Program: 

https://www.docswithdisabilities.org/digme