2025 Stanford Conference on Disability in Healthcare and Medicine | MSDCI and SMADIE
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Stanford Medicine ADIE
Autistic physicians enrich the practice of medicine with curiosity, detail orientation, pattern recognition, deep information gathering, and unique perspectives. Autistic physicians bring both their lived experience and the unique strengths of their neurotype to the table if allowed to thrive. Enhancing neurodiversity and inclusion in medical training by recruiting and retaining autistic medical trainees reduces the healthcare disparities experienced by autistic patients. We will discuss how medical professionals can create a neurodiversity-affirming culture of greater openness, acceptance, and compassion within medical training that will ultimately benefit both patients and medical trainees of all neurotypes. We hope to inspire a candid dialogue about the experiences of autistic physicians during medical training to provide context for improving trainee feedback, accommodations, and curriculum that continues long after this panel presentation ends.
Dr. Nikhil Rao is a child psychiatrist specializing in neurodevelopmental differences, complex trauma and neglect, and eating disorders. He is involved in research and teaching activities in addition to a high acuity outpatient practice.
Child/Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist
Stacy Greeter, MD, PLLC
Stacy Greeter, MD (she/her) is double board certified in both child/adolescent and adult psychiatry and owns a group psychiatric practice in Sarasota, FL. She speaks from both her lived experience as an autistic, ADHD, and OCD individual and as a clinician. Dr. Greeter graduated Summa Cum Lade from Duke University and went on to University of North Carolina School of Medicine on a full scholarship. Dr. Greeter completed her residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and continued there to complete her subspecialty fellowship in child/adolescent psychiatry. However, that is only where her learning began, as Dr. Greeter is an avid self-directed learner with an insatiable curiosity and infectious enthusiasm for her work. She believes in cross-pollination of knowledge between disciplines, creating space for safe candid conversations on controversial mental health issues, and runs a multi-disciplinary mental health professionals book club. Dr. Greeter teaches at Lake Erie College of Medicine and Florida State University, is on the board of directors for Autism Career Pathways, and in leadership at Autistic Doctors International. Dr. Greeter uses metaphors from fantasy universes such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and The Little Mermaid to make psychiatric concepts accessible and engaging through her educational Psychiatry Bootcamp series.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine
Michigan State University-College of Human Medicine
Laura Carravallah, MD, is board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She has a lifelong career in medical education, serving as a Combined Med-Peds Program Director with Hurley Medical Center/Michigan State University-College of Human Medicine (her alma mater) for 19 years, and now for the past 10 years as an Associate Professor teaching general medicine and public health to medical students with MSU-CHM. She identifies as autistic (along with her diagnosed son) and is formally diagnosed as ADHD. Dr. Carravallah has a longstanding interest and expertise in teaching Ethics and Professionalism, and an abiding enthusiasm in mentoring medical trainees -especially around those areas. Since her own self-realization, mentoring neurodivergent trainees has become a particular area of focus.
Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist
Duet Psychiatry, LLC
Alicia Cho, DO, is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who completed the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in June 2024. She draws from her lived experience as an autistic and ADHD Korean-American woman as well as her clinical expertise, passionately supporting neurodivergent youth transitioning to adulthood. Dr. Cho studied classical acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and graduated from Smith College with a major in Theatre. A classically trained singer, she has performed in musical theatre, operas, and plays. She earned her medical degree from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) and completed adult psychiatry training at the HealthONE Psychiatry Residency at The Medical Center of Aurora in Colorado. In her free time, Dr. Cho enjoys hiking, exploring the foodie scene, going on adventures with her rescue dog, and singing karaoke. With her interest in the performing arts, Dr. Cho aims to de-stigmatize mental health conditions in the media.
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