Medical Students for Disability Health & Advocacy (MSDHA) is a student organization that aims to promote disability health initiatives and unite students with disabilities and chronic illnesses as well as allies at the University of Michigan Medical School.
Formed in February 2021, MSDHA serves as a community of like-minded students to advocate for the inclusion of disability in medicine. Current initiatives include a near-peer mentorship program called Disability Connect, an American Sign Language (ASL) elective for medical students, hands-on opportunities to work with individuals with disabilities, and public events to spread awareness about disability health topics. We also host social events to strengthen our community.
MSDHA is a chapter of Medical Students with Disability and Chronic Illness (MSDCI) National, through which medical students can collaborate on national disability advocacy initiatives.
