Dr. Heidi Joshi is a blind psychologist who teaches medical students how to take care of their own mental health so they can keep their patients healthy
This profile can be shared with students to enhance the visibility of psychologists of diverse backgrounds. As an additional activity, students can be asked to conduct research to learn more about the psychologist and their work. An alternative assignment could be to ask students to find other psychologists of diverse backgrounds whose work falls into this content pillar. Keywords highlight how psychological scientists study concepts within and across pillars.
Dr. Joshi is a licensed clinical psychologist, behavioral health manager, and faculty member in the Family Medicine Residency at John Muir Health. She received her master’s degree in marital and family therapy from Northwestern University and her doctoral degree from the Alliant University. Dr. Joshi completed both an internship and postdoctoral fellowship in the family medicine program at UC Davis Medical Center and a fellowship in behavioral science and family systems education through the Society for Teachers of Family Medicine. Dr. Joshi has discussed her career journey as a blind psychologist in interviewsopens in new window and podcastsopens in new window.
Dr. Joshi has considerable experience as a behavioral health provider, residency educator, and researcher. One area of focus that is highlighted in her research and academic writing is her advocacy related to increasing the diversity of family medicine programs. She has highlighted the role that medical organizations must take in ensuring appropriate and reasonable accommodations to medical trainees with disabilities.
Joshi, H., & Corcoran-Lozano, P. (2021). The behavioral health consultant: Roles and responsibilities. Pediatric Clinics, 68(3), 563–571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2021.02.002opens in new window
Meeks, L.M., Case, B., Joshi, H., Graves, L., Harper, D.M. (2021). Prevalence, plans, and perceptions: Disability in family medicine residencies. Family Medicine, 53(5), 338–346. https://doi.org/10.22454/FamMed.2021.616867opens in new window
Meeks, L. M., Taylor, N., Case, B., Stergiopoulos, E., Zazove, P., Graves, L., McKee, M., Swenor, B. K., Salgat, A., Cerilli, C., Joshi, H., & Moreland, C. J. (2020). The unexamined diversity: Disability policies and practices in US graduate medical education programs. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 12(5), 615–619. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-19-00940.1opens in new window
Health and Wellness, Disparities, Bias
The development of resources to broaden diversity and representation in the teaching of high school psychology resources is an APA Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools initiative supported by funding from the American Psychological Foundation David and Carol Myers Fund. This resource was developed by Kara Ayers, PhD; Emily Lund, PhD; Erika Sanborne; and Allison Shaver.