Megan A. Morris, PhD

The goal of my research is to improve the quality of health and healthcare services for people with disabilities. Specifically, I seek to understand and address both structural and interpersonal ableism that affects the care received by this population. To achieve this, I have developed a comprehensive research program focused on: (a) creating and implementing systematic methods for documenting patients’ disability status and accommodation needs in the Electronic Health Record; (b) improving communication and interactions between healthcare teams and people with disabilities through educational and clinical interventions; and (c) evaluating the implementation and effects of disability healthcare policies on provision of accessible healthcare. I have served as a PI on multiple funded studies to support these initiatives. My research and advocacy are deeply informed by both my personal and professional experiences with ableism in the healthcare setting.

To facilitate the translation of research to practice and policy, I founded and currently direct the Disability Equity Collaborative, a community dedicated to advancing equitable care for people with disabilities. A key component of this collaborative is our learning collaborative with membership of over 50 healthcare organizations who meet regularly and are committed to advancing disability equity within their own institutions.