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Full Circle: Ben Moore’s Path to Medicine
Ben Moore’s connection to the University of Washington began early in life. As a toddler, he participated in early childhood programs connected to what was then the Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD), now the Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD). Although he doesn’t remember the specifics, his family brought him to IHDD for early appointments and evaluations.
Years later, Ben reconnected with the UW community through the UW LEND program. He first joined LEND as a self-advocate trainee, drawing on his lived experience with disability to explore advocacy, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration. His strengths in preparation, communication, and grounded perspective stood out, and over time he moved into a faculty role as the Self-Advocate Discipline Lead. In this role, he contributes to seminars, mentors trainees, and helps strengthen LEND’s commitment to centering self-advocate leadership across all disciplines.
Reflecting on this chapter of his journey, Ben shared, “You have to believe in yourself and be willing to do whatever it takes. Nothing worth doing is easy. You have to put in the work.”
On top of Ben’s faculty role in UW LEND, he is also pursuing his longstanding dream to work in the medical field. He completed his first year in the University of Washington’s Medical Assistant program, and when the program closed, he transferred to Pima Medical Institute (PMI). He is now over a year into PMI’s clinical track, which he began in September 2024, rotating through areas such as family medicine, cardiology, and gynecology at the Polyclinic clinic site. His externship is scheduled to begin in May 2026, with graduation planned for July.
Ben is working toward a future supporting children and families, with declared specialties in both pediatrics and psychiatry. He is pursuing multiple certifications to prepare for a career as a child psychiatric clinical assistant, combining medical training with the collaborative, family and person-centered values he strengthened as a LEND trainee.
Ben’s leadership in roles of LEND Discipline Lead, WA INCLUDE hub team member, and now his commitment to becoming a medical assistant, exemplify the very heart of the LEND mission: developing professionals who bring skill, empathy, perseverance, and lived experience to the future of healthcare.
