1/30 Chronic Illness and Neurodivergence in Medical School

For our next meeting, we’ll be joined by Duke medical students who live with chronic illnesses and neurodivergence. They’ll share honest reflections on balancing the intensity of medical training with the realities of managing their health—navigating the expectations of a profession that often demands perfection while learning to care for themselves and others.

This conversation will highlight what it truly means to be both a future healthcare provider and a patient, and how those dual perspectives can drive compassion, reform, and resilience within medicine.

We’ll discuss:

• The hidden barriers in medical and graduate training - like unspoken ableism, burnout culture, and the lack of flexible accommodations.

• Finding community and support within competitive, high-pressure programs.

• Balancing self-care with rigorous schedules and clinical demands.

• How the next generation of healthcare providers can build a more inclusive and understanding medical culture for chronically ill and neurodivergent patients.

This event is for anyone interested in healthcare, medical education, or advocacy, and for every student who’s ever wondered how to reconcile ambition with self-preservation.