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DRP Academy

A 20 month hybrid professional development experience for disability resource professionals (DRPs) seeking expertise in medical education

Questions?

Join us for a virtual open house and information session on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 12:00 PM PT / 3:00 PM ET Register here.



Applications due March 3, 2025 by 12 pm EST

Building Capacity
Support
ing Diversity.

 

The DRP Academy is a specialized, hybrid professional development program designed to empower disability resource professionals with the expertise needed to ensure equitable access in medical education. This comprehensive curriculum challenges participants to expand their knowledge, refine their skills, and build their capacity to support students with disabilities in health professions training.

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Key Highlights

  • Didactic Instruction: Participants gain foundational knowledge in disability law, institutional policies, and principles of inclusive education, forming the groundwork for understanding accommodations in health professions training.

  • Self-Directed Learning: Learners are encouraged to explore tailored materials at their own pace, deepening their understanding of key concepts and fostering critical thinking around complex scenarios.

  • Simulated Practice: Through simulated environments, participants engage in realistic scenarios, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge in a controlled setting and refine decision-making processes.

  • Standardized Student Interactions: Role-playing with standardized students provides participants with opportunities to practice effective communication, empathy, and problem-solving in determining appropriate accommodations.

  • Case-Based Learning: Real-world cases offer an interactive platform to develop analytical and legal reasoning skills. Participants work collaboratively to evaluate scenarios, identify barriers, and propose equitable and compliant solutions.

  • Post Academy Mentorship: Upon successful completion of the on-site components of the DRP Academy, each participant will be assigned to a mentor group that will meet once per month and be facilitated by an experienced health science DRP. 

"Receiving this knowledge and establishing connections during the DRP academy was such a lifechanging, genuine experience."

Jacque Knedler, MS

DRP Class of 2023

Jacque Knedler, pictured wearing a black business coat and pink blouse. She has a bright smile and is wearing brown glasses. She has straight long brown hair.

Eligibility Criteria

Each year the academy selects applicants who are DRPs that work with medical students. The Academy strives to invite participants representing diversity in institution type, degree program, disability resource experience and personal characteristics. Applicants must:

have at  least 3 years of general DRP experience

currently hold a position that is charged with determining and implementing  reasonable accommodations (didactic and clinical)  for students with disabilities in health professions and/or medical education programs.

receive an endorsement from supervisor

be able to participate in all remote and on-site meetings

For more information about the 2025-2026 DRP academy, check out the DRP Academy Information and Expectations

DRP Academy Leadership

The DRP Academy leadership and instructor team is comprised of professionals with diverse experiences and skills. DRP Academy leaders and instructors have significant experience as DRPs serving students with disabilities in health science education programs, have served in leadership positions in national organizations, conducted research, and developed resources and publications promoting disability inclusion and accessibility in health science education. 

Jamie Axelrod, pictured wearing a blue dress shirt. He has a friendly smile and is wearing his brown hair pulled back onto a ponytail. He is wearing hoop earrings.

Jamie Axlerod

Executive Committee & Instructor

Grace Clifford, pictured here, wearing a black sweater and blue shirt underneath. She has a mischievous smile and big brown eyes.

Grace Clifford

Co-Chair, Curriculum Developer, & Instructor

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Jennie Biggers

Assistant DRP Instructor

Sarah Triano, pictured here wearing a red sweater with black shirt underneath. She has a bright smile, dark eyes, and wears glasses. She has long brown hair.

Sarah Triano

Instructor

Lisa_Meeks_Color

Lisa Meeks

Executive Committee & Instructor

Matthew Sullivan, pictured here wearing a blue dress shirt and tie. He has wavy short blonde hair and his hands are tucked behind his back.

Matthew Sullivan

Co-Chair, Curriculum Developer, & Instructor

Jennifer Gossett, pictured here wearing a gray blazer with floral print collared shirt underneath. She has light eyes, short brown hair, and is wearing brown tortoise glasses.

Jennifer Gossett

Instructor

Jan Serrantino, pictured here wearing a white dress shirt. She has a friendly smile and brown eyes. Her shorter gray hair is wavy.

Jan Serrantino

Executive Committee & Instructor

Emily Magee, pictured here, wearing a black blazer with a pink blouse underneath. She has a large smile and dark eyes. She has long blonde hair.

Emily Langham

Instructor

Rosezetta_Henderson, pictured here wearing a black sweater with a blue blouse and long necklace. She has a big smile, light eyes, and is wearing glasses.

Rosezetta Henderson

Assistant DRP Instructor

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