Lisa Meeks

Dr. Lisa Meeks is a Clinical Professor of Medical Education at the University of Illinois School of Medicine, an Adjunct Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, and the Founder and Co-Director of the Docs With Disabilities Initiative. As a recognized leader in medical education, she drives policy and best practices to advance disability inclusion in training and clinical practice.

As a person with lived experience of disability, Dr. Meeks is deeply committed to fostering access and equity for learners, clinicians, and patients—particularly those who experience multiple forms of marginalization. Her work promotes diversity, inclusion, and well-being within the healthcare workforce. She collaborates with leading health science and graduate programs, national organizations, and media outlets to elevate disability-related issues, offering expertise and guidance on inclusive education and practice. Through her co-created platforms and resources, she amplifies the voices of physicians and learners with disabilities, helping to shape the future of medical training.

Dr. Meeks is the editor and author of the field’s leading books, including Disability as Diversity and the second edition of Equal Access for Students with Disabilities: The Guide for Health Science and Professional Education. She also serves as the guest editor of the upcoming Academic Medicine supplement on disability inclusion. Her research has been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, JAMA, and Academic Medicine, and has been featured in major media outlets, including NPR, The Washington Post, CNBC, Bloomberg Law, Time Magazine, and AAMC News.

As the lead author of the AAMC Special Report Accessibility, Inclusion, and Action in Medical Education: Lived Experiences of Learners and Physicians with Disabilities, Dr. Meeks is a key contributor to advancing systemic change. She also co-created the #DocsWithDisabilities social media campaign, co-hosts the Docs with Disabilities Podcast, and serves as Executive Director of the Docs With Disabilities Initiative. Additionally, she serves on the ACGME Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Among her most valued contributions to academic medicine is her dedication to mentoring the next generation of disabled physicians and scientists, creating a community where they can thrive.

For more information, visit Docs With Disabilities website.