The Equal Access in Science and Medicine lecture series aims to highlight the perspectives of scientists and clinicians with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and mental health conditions.
Dr. Rebecca Wright, PhD, BSc, RN
December 2022
“What Have I Done?”
Dr. Diana Mercedes Cejas delivered the June 2022 Equal Access lecture, sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association, Johns Hopkins University Student Disability Services, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Office of Graduate Biomedical Education, the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity, and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Graduate Student Association.
Dr. Diana Mercedes Cejas, MD, MPH
June 2022
“Writing as Advocacy: Personal Reflections on Disability in Medicine”
Dr. Diana Mercedes Cejas delivered the June 2022 Equal Access lecture, sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association, Johns Hopkins University Student Disability Services, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Office of Graduate Biomedical Education, the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity, and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Graduate Student Association.
Dr. Bonnielin Swenor May 2021
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“Disability Inclusion: Moving Beyond Mission Statements”
Introduced by PhD student, Erica Avery, Dr. Bonnielin Swenor, Director of the Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, delivered the November 2021 Equal Access lecture, in collaboration with the Biomedical Scholars Association and the Student National Medical Association Minority Association for Premedical Students, sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association, Johns Hopkins University Student Disability Services, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Office of Graduate Biomedical Education, the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity, and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Graduate Student Association.
Click through the gallery to view the transcript of Dr. Swenor’s lecture
Click through the gallery to view the transcript of the Q&A Session moderated by Erica Avery following Dr. Swenor’s lecture
Phillip Roundtree, MSW, MS May 2021
“Resilience Through Coping: A Journey of Hope”
Introduced by the Biomedical Scholars Association, Phillip J. Roundtree delivered the May 2021 Equal Access lecture, in collaboration with the Biomedical Scholars Association and the Student National Medical Association Minority Association for Premedical Students, sponsored by the University Health Services Small Grant Program, Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association, Johns Hopkins University Student Disability Services, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Office of Graduate Biomedical Education, the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity, and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Graduate Student Association.
Dr. Chad Ruffin, January 2021
“A Deaf Surgeon Comes Into His Own: Insights for Improving Outcomes with Hearing Loss”
Introduced by PhD student Nicole Pannullo, Dr. Chad Ruffin delivered the January 2021 Equal Access lecture, sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association, Johns Hopkins University Student Disability Services, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Office of Graduate Biomedical Education, the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity, and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Graduate Student Association.
Dr. Kay Jamison, February 2020
“Professional and Personal Perspectives on Bipolar Illness”
Dr. Kay Jamison delivered the inaugural Equal Access lecture in February 2020, sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Center, the Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Johns Hopkins Students for Disability Justice, the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association, UHS Wellness, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Office of Graduate Biomedical Education, the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Graduate Student Association, the Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council, and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Human Genetics Program.
Our Goals
1. Teach audience members to recognize alternative models of disability by understanding that disability is not just a disease to be cured, but rather a valuable dimension of diversity with an associated culture.
2. Encourage audience members to identify barriers to equal access, to appreciate that many students and faculty may not openly disclose disabilities, and to practice using universal design principles to minimize barriers to all individuals, whether or not they disclose their conditions.
3. Provide successful role models to students with disabilities, who may feel isolated or like they are the first individuals to navigate graduate or medical school with a disability.
“We tell our medical students every year that a lot of you are going to get depressed. That’s just the way of it. Depression’s really common. It’s the illness that’s certainly going to be the most common illness that has the potential to kill you.
So one thing I would say over and over again is depression and bipolar disorder are treatable and to try and keep your wing out for your fellow students or your fellow faculty.”
Dr. Kay Jamison, Equal Access in Science and Medicine lecture
Nominate a Speaker
Send your speaker suggestions to Erica Avery or Nicole Pannullo.
Sponsor a Lecture
Please contact us if you’re interested in providing financial support for future Equal Access in Science and Medicine lectures.
Equal Access in Science & Medicine 