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A Mayo Medical School student is being honored for her work to improve medical care to people with disabilities.
Julie Rogers will receive the Luther Granquist Systems Change Award from The Arc Minnesota on Friday at The Arc Minnesota's Awards Banquet in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Rogers will receive her medical degree in spring 2014.
Rogers, whose' sister has Down syndrome, noticed health-care disparities between people with and without disabilities.
"Rogers approached the Mayo Clinic administration about incorporating disability topics into the medical school curriculum," according to the ARC news release. "She worked with Mayo Medical School faculty to develop 20 hours of mandatory medical student training."
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One course on genetics included interactions with individuals with disabilities and their family members. A public health course included discussions on disability history and rights and tips on effective interactions with a person who has a disability. Students attending these classes gave them positive evaluations.
In addition, Rogers has spoken at several international medical education meetings, getting other schools to add disability curricula. She's been invited to contribute to a professional group drafting core competencies for all medical personnel working with persons with disabilities throughout the United States.
The Luther Granquist Systems Change Award honors an individual or organization that creates significant system change through individual, legal or public policy advocacy. It is named after an attorney with the Minnesota Disability Law Center who was a successful advocate for people with disabilities, both in moving people from state institutions to the community and in improving education services.
Local chapter honored
In addition, the Arc Southeastern Minnesota will receive The Arc Minnesota Membership Award,for its success in maintaining and increasing its number of members during difficult economic times. The chapter's membership has risen 16 percent since January 1st of 2013.
"Building The Arc's membership base is essential to building a strong organization," said Mike Gude, The Arc Minnesota's Communications Director.
The Arc Minnesota is a non-profit organization that promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
