Tag: advocacy

Dominic Moog, BA Dominic Moog, BA (1 Posts)

Medical Student Guest Writer

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Dom Moog is a fourth-year medical student at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and a transfeminine individual of nonbinary experience. Dom hails from the Twin Cities of Minnesota and attended the University of Southern California, where they received a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Sexuality Studies. This educational background and a lifetime of personal experiences inspire their interest in psychiatry with emphases on marginalized peoples, economic justice, substance use disorders, and community building as a pillar of psychiatric wellness work. Dom co-founded The Shades Project St. Louis in 2022, a grassroots non-profit organization focused on the intersections of health, community, and art, and serves as Director of Development at the School of Opulence in Chicago. Dom also sings with the St. Louis Chamber Chorus and is an avid participant and budding leader in the queer Ballroom community.




Our Haus, Our Humanity: Lessons from the Queer Community that can Help Heal Medicine

Published by Dominic Moog, BA

Both Dominic Moog and Chase T.M. Anderson are co-authors of this piece. Yet another early morning spent meticulously examining my face in the mirror—I must look perfect. Of course, that means later I’m racing to meet my attending on time; thank goodness speed walking is a queer sport. I rehearse responses to comments on my appearance I always fear could come: unprofessional, extra, colorful, or some other thinly-veiled iteration of “too much.” I craft bulletproof …

A Tale of Two Worlds

Published by Melissa Huddleston, MD

It was the most joyful of times. It was the most horrific of times. A week before my first child was born, an act of terror occurred on the other side of the world. And ever since that terrible day, violence has steadily escalated. My family has grown, while others are decimated. I celebrate with my son, as he grows and showers us with smiles; others search for their children amongst the rubble piles. I hope and pray for my child to sleep through the night; others beg for their …

Contemplating Death with New Life

Published by Melissa Huddleston, MD

Very early in the morning on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023, I stumbled into the emergency department with my hair in a tangled mess and accidentally still wearing my house shoes. It was my older brother’s birthday, but I wouldn’t end up having time to send him a happy birthday message. It was my baby boy’s third day of life, but I wasn’t going to be able to hold him in my arms that day. Instead, …

Our Acts of Freedom: A Physician-Advocate’s Perspective

Published by Melissa Palma, MD, MPH

On the morning of January 6, I awoke ecstatic to the news of Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff’s predicted wins in the Georgia run-off elections. To be frank, I have become hesitant to hope while inured by the near-daily attacks on civil rights by the Trump administration via executive orders and federal policies. Over the past four years, I witnessed with pride — but also fear — as community activists tirelessly organized to combat racist policies.

Physician, Activist — Does One Preclude the Other?

Published by Shalini Shah, DO

When do you leap into the unknown and venture into the uncomfortable? Is it after methodical deliberation or is it much more abrupt, emboldened by a critical decision? Perhaps it is a deep drive within you, one that propels you forward in a way in which you cannot look back.

Amanda Pannu, MD Amanda Pannu, MD (1 Posts)

Resident Physician Contributing Writer

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Dr. Amanda Pannu is a PGY-4 Chief Resident at the University of Rochester Family Medicine Residency Program. For the past 2 years, she has served as the Resident Representative on the ACGME Review Committee of Family Medicine. She is passionate about education and resident wellbeing. She will be joining The Ohio State University as a core faculty member this summer.