Amy Tan, MD
@amytanmd.bsky.social
Human being, book dragon, thinker, disruptor + rebel, disabled, mom, wife, physician (palliative care & family med), writer, educator, scholar. Non-partisan, pro-humanity, pro-collective care+liberation. BC West Coaster. 🌊
Views my own. (she/her)
Views my own. (she/her)
Pinned
Amy Tan, MD
@amytanmd.bsky.social
· Apr 6
Despite what they try to tell you, caring about others, fighting for the rights of ALL human beings, honouring differences amongst us all, are NOT threats to you, or to your way of life.
Striving to be better always is honouring your own humanity, while protecting others' humanity.
Imagine that.
Striving to be better always is honouring your own humanity, while protecting others' humanity.
Imagine that.
Reposted by Amy Tan, MD
The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which highlights disabled people and disability culture through storytelling projects, social media and other channels. n.pr/47WGe0m
Disability rights activist and author Alice Wong dies at 51
The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which highlights disabled people and disability culture through storytelling projects, social media and other channels.
n.pr
November 16, 2025 at 4:41 AM
The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which highlights disabled people and disability culture through storytelling projects, social media and other channels. n.pr/47WGe0m
Reposted by Amy Tan, MD
Alice Wong’s legacy is the political horizon she helped articulate. A horizon where disabled knowledge is central, and care is a shared commitment. She taught us to name grief & rage without collapsing under them, to celebrate disabled brilliance without ignoring the material conditions shaping life
November 15, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Alice Wong’s legacy is the political horizon she helped articulate. A horizon where disabled knowledge is central, and care is a shared commitment. She taught us to name grief & rage without collapsing under them, to celebrate disabled brilliance without ignoring the material conditions shaping life
There are so many wise words that I've highlighted in her memoir, "Year of the Tiger: An Activist's Life".
Rereading the Intro just now and sharing this glimpse into her incredible character and spirit. I am forever grateful that she left us with her legacy and principled guidance.
Rereading the Intro just now and sharing this glimpse into her incredible character and spirit. I am forever grateful that she left us with her legacy and principled guidance.
November 15, 2025 at 6:54 AM
There are so many wise words that I've highlighted in her memoir, "Year of the Tiger: An Activist's Life".
Rereading the Intro just now and sharing this glimpse into her incredible character and spirit. I am forever grateful that she left us with her legacy and principled guidance.
Rereading the Intro just now and sharing this glimpse into her incredible character and spirit. I am forever grateful that she left us with her legacy and principled guidance.
I have not wanted to believe this for the 30 min since announced. Alice Wong was at the top of a very short list of ppl who truly made the world a better place; a fierce oracle who inspired, rallied, personally supported in dark moments +spoke up for so many of us in the disabled community.
💔 RIP
💔 RIP
I’m heartsick to hear that the incomparable Alice Wong has passed. Her loss will be felt keenly, by many, and for a long time. She is a force, a generous leader and storyteller, and an oracle for disabled futures. Much love to Alice and to all our crip kin and comrades. ❤️🩹
November 15, 2025 at 6:05 AM
I have not wanted to believe this for the 30 min since announced. Alice Wong was at the top of a very short list of ppl who truly made the world a better place; a fierce oracle who inspired, rallied, personally supported in dark moments +spoke up for so many of us in the disabled community.
💔 RIP
💔 RIP
Pls help me prep for some education sessions I'll be giving; want to see what public perceptions are:
Without looking it up, what do you think the average life expectancy for a Canadian is?
Have you heard of the term "healthspan"?
What do you think the healthspan of the average Canadian is?
🙏🏽
Without looking it up, what do you think the average life expectancy for a Canadian is?
Have you heard of the term "healthspan"?
What do you think the healthspan of the average Canadian is?
🙏🏽
September 27, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Pls help me prep for some education sessions I'll be giving; want to see what public perceptions are:
Without looking it up, what do you think the average life expectancy for a Canadian is?
Have you heard of the term "healthspan"?
What do you think the healthspan of the average Canadian is?
🙏🏽
Without looking it up, what do you think the average life expectancy for a Canadian is?
Have you heard of the term "healthspan"?
What do you think the healthspan of the average Canadian is?
🙏🏽
OMG. The world has lost a truly amazing, compassionate, and talented human being.
My condolences to his family and friends.
How devastating a loss to the Edmonton community, and the AB medical community.
RIP Darren. 💔💔💔
My condolences to his family and friends.
How devastating a loss to the Edmonton community, and the AB medical community.
RIP Darren. 💔💔💔
1/
Many of us have followed this extraordinarily compassionate 🇨🇦 doctor throughout the pandemic. Dr. Markland was indefatigable in his advocacy for healthcare & patients, & so much more.
Rest in peace, Dr. Darren Markland -
www.westernstandard.news/news/beloved...
Many of us have followed this extraordinarily compassionate 🇨🇦 doctor throughout the pandemic. Dr. Markland was indefatigable in his advocacy for healthcare & patients, & so much more.
Rest in peace, Dr. Darren Markland -
www.westernstandard.news/news/beloved...
Beloved Edmonton doctor tragically passes away after mountain biking accident near Nordegg
Edmonton is mourning the sudden loss of Dr. Darren Markland, a highly respected intensive-care physician, who tragically died in a cycling accident on Sunday.
www.westernstandard.news
September 25, 2025 at 5:13 PM
OMG. The world has lost a truly amazing, compassionate, and talented human being.
My condolences to his family and friends.
How devastating a loss to the Edmonton community, and the AB medical community.
RIP Darren. 💔💔💔
My condolences to his family and friends.
How devastating a loss to the Edmonton community, and the AB medical community.
RIP Darren. 💔💔💔
Reposted by Amy Tan, MD
🔬Interesting new brainstem and cerebellum study in Long COVID - new imaging findings
A new brain imaging study of Long COVID patients reveals major damage in key parts of the brain responsible for movement, balance, and automatic body functions like heart rate and sleep
Let’s break it down🧵
A new brain imaging study of Long COVID patients reveals major damage in key parts of the brain responsible for movement, balance, and automatic body functions like heart rate and sleep
Let’s break it down🧵
August 19, 2025 at 4:12 PM
🔬Interesting new brainstem and cerebellum study in Long COVID - new imaging findings
A new brain imaging study of Long COVID patients reveals major damage in key parts of the brain responsible for movement, balance, and automatic body functions like heart rate and sleep
Let’s break it down🧵
A new brain imaging study of Long COVID patients reveals major damage in key parts of the brain responsible for movement, balance, and automatic body functions like heart rate and sleep
Let’s break it down🧵
Reposted by Amy Tan, MD
Not all heroes wear capes. Incredible work from @putrinolab.bsky.social. They have created a *FREE* manual for clinicians treating chronic illnesses associated with infections.
#LongCovid #MECFS #LymeDisease and many others.
#LongCovid #MECFS #LymeDisease and many others.
August 15, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Not all heroes wear capes. Incredible work from @putrinolab.bsky.social. They have created a *FREE* manual for clinicians treating chronic illnesses associated with infections.
#LongCovid #MECFS #LymeDisease and many others.
#LongCovid #MECFS #LymeDisease and many others.
Reposted by Amy Tan, MD
Starting Sept. 1, B.C.’s Medical Services Plan is capping all online group medical visits to just 20 patients, to “ensure there can still be a one-on-one interaction between each patient and physician,” the Health Ministry told The Tyee.
Funding Changes Might Leave BC’s Long-COVID Patients in the Lurch | The Tyee
The province has one main clinic offering care to more than 5,200 online patients.
thetyee.ca
August 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Starting Sept. 1, B.C.’s Medical Services Plan is capping all online group medical visits to just 20 patients, to “ensure there can still be a one-on-one interaction between each patient and physician,” the Health Ministry told The Tyee.
At 1st read, thought this was abt actual humans being dehumanized in the name of productivity.
Realizing AI is just extending what has been all along: Extract what you can. Discard. Rinse. Repeat.
And that's how we have society that only puts worth on ppl's productivity and not their humanity.
Realizing AI is just extending what has been all along: Extract what you can. Discard. Rinse. Repeat.
And that's how we have society that only puts worth on ppl's productivity and not their humanity.
👇
it is quite terrifying how eager people are to accept dehumanization - of others as well as themselves - as long as it's packaged in terms of "being more productive" or "more efficient"
there is zero humanity-acknowledging, much less enhancing, aspect to these technologies
there is zero humanity-acknowledging, much less enhancing, aspect to these technologies
August 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM
At 1st read, thought this was abt actual humans being dehumanized in the name of productivity.
Realizing AI is just extending what has been all along: Extract what you can. Discard. Rinse. Repeat.
And that's how we have society that only puts worth on ppl's productivity and not their humanity.
Realizing AI is just extending what has been all along: Extract what you can. Discard. Rinse. Repeat.
And that's how we have society that only puts worth on ppl's productivity and not their humanity.
Reposted by Amy Tan, MD
👇
it is quite terrifying how eager people are to accept dehumanization - of others as well as themselves - as long as it's packaged in terms of "being more productive" or "more efficient"
there is zero humanity-acknowledging, much less enhancing, aspect to these technologies
there is zero humanity-acknowledging, much less enhancing, aspect to these technologies
August 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
👇
It is so difficult and so confirmatory of the systems we are trapped in that you must watch people, organizations & institutions eulogize one of your abusers (an openly known "secret") as though they were a saint.
And the suffering without accountability, in silence, continues.
And the suffering without accountability, in silence, continues.
August 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
It is so difficult and so confirmatory of the systems we are trapped in that you must watch people, organizations & institutions eulogize one of your abusers (an openly known "secret") as though they were a saint.
And the suffering without accountability, in silence, continues.
And the suffering without accountability, in silence, continues.
PSA: This afternoon, a visitor at one of the health facilities in which I work, and while I was rounding on my patients, came up to me and asked,
"Who are you? Are you using THOSE (pointing at my forearm crutches in pic) because you *actually* need them, or is it for some sort of performance?" (🤯)
"Who are you? Are you using THOSE (pointing at my forearm crutches in pic) because you *actually* need them, or is it for some sort of performance?" (🤯)
August 7, 2025 at 2:53 AM
PSA: This afternoon, a visitor at one of the health facilities in which I work, and while I was rounding on my patients, came up to me and asked,
"Who are you? Are you using THOSE (pointing at my forearm crutches in pic) because you *actually* need them, or is it for some sort of performance?" (🤯)
"Who are you? Are you using THOSE (pointing at my forearm crutches in pic) because you *actually* need them, or is it for some sort of performance?" (🤯)
I've been a palliative care & family physician for 20+ yrs. Marathon runners, organic food eaters, cross-fitters + whatever else is considered a virtuous "healthy" lifestyle have all unfortunately been subjected to (for many, early) life-limiting diseases, despite this.
No one "deserves" illness.
No one "deserves" illness.
Love this framing for its black & white absolutism. You're either unhealthy or not, on Rx meds or not, have a bad lifestyle or not.
No in-between, no understanding that many ppl with virtuous lifestyles are on meds too.
Just another way of talking about morality and who "deserves" to be healthy.
No in-between, no understanding that many ppl with virtuous lifestyles are on meds too.
Just another way of talking about morality and who "deserves" to be healthy.
Most clinical psychologists don’t prescribe medications.
But I do support patients who benefit from their use.
Relentlessly.
Enough with the patient-blaming and pill-shaming. 😊✌️
But I do support patients who benefit from their use.
Relentlessly.
Enough with the patient-blaming and pill-shaming. 😊✌️
August 4, 2025 at 6:35 PM
I've been a palliative care & family physician for 20+ yrs. Marathon runners, organic food eaters, cross-fitters + whatever else is considered a virtuous "healthy" lifestyle have all unfortunately been subjected to (for many, early) life-limiting diseases, despite this.
No one "deserves" illness.
No one "deserves" illness.
Reposted by Amy Tan, MD
#TSUNAMI Watch has been issued by the National Tsunami Warning Center and it includes #BC Notification Zones A, B, C, & D.
If it materializes, expect it to begin around 2205 Langara BC and at 2330 PDT at Tofino.
For more and updates: go to tsunami.gov
#BCtsunami #BCstorm
If it materializes, expect it to begin around 2205 Langara BC and at 2330 PDT at Tofino.
For more and updates: go to tsunami.gov
#BCtsunami #BCstorm
July 30, 2025 at 12:42 AM
#TSUNAMI Watch has been issued by the National Tsunami Warning Center and it includes #BC Notification Zones A, B, C, & D.
If it materializes, expect it to begin around 2205 Langara BC and at 2330 PDT at Tofino.
For more and updates: go to tsunami.gov
#BCtsunami #BCstorm
If it materializes, expect it to begin around 2205 Langara BC and at 2330 PDT at Tofino.
For more and updates: go to tsunami.gov
#BCtsunami #BCstorm
To think & act as though you're entitled to comfort, is in fact privilege.
Ppl must examine themselves & the world around them: who is materially at actual risk (of dying, losing health, autonomy, freedoms, losing their careers/livelihoods) in the given context, and why is your comfort worth more?
Ppl must examine themselves & the world around them: who is materially at actual risk (of dying, losing health, autonomy, freedoms, losing their careers/livelihoods) in the given context, and why is your comfort worth more?
We need to teach people the difference between being uncomfortable and being unsafe. Because the discomfort of the safest people is endangering the most vulnerable, all day every day.
July 29, 2025 at 7:27 PM
To think & act as though you're entitled to comfort, is in fact privilege.
Ppl must examine themselves & the world around them: who is materially at actual risk (of dying, losing health, autonomy, freedoms, losing their careers/livelihoods) in the given context, and why is your comfort worth more?
Ppl must examine themselves & the world around them: who is materially at actual risk (of dying, losing health, autonomy, freedoms, losing their careers/livelihoods) in the given context, and why is your comfort worth more?
Reposted by Amy Tan, MD
TW: SA
Today's hockey trial in Canada underlines once again victims of sexual assault are not valued in society. The system is designed to protect perpetrators, mostly men, while harming the assaulted, mostly women and girls. This must change. Believe the victims.
Today's hockey trial in Canada underlines once again victims of sexual assault are not valued in society. The system is designed to protect perpetrators, mostly men, while harming the assaulted, mostly women and girls. This must change. Believe the victims.
July 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
TW: SA
Today's hockey trial in Canada underlines once again victims of sexual assault are not valued in society. The system is designed to protect perpetrators, mostly men, while harming the assaulted, mostly women and girls. This must change. Believe the victims.
Today's hockey trial in Canada underlines once again victims of sexual assault are not valued in society. The system is designed to protect perpetrators, mostly men, while harming the assaulted, mostly women and girls. This must change. Believe the victims.
Reposted by Amy Tan, MD
Oh and for all the armchair legal experts with their "Well, actually..." this is a reminder that not guilty does not mean innocent. You do not get found innocent in a Canadian criminal trial. ✌🏻
July 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Oh and for all the armchair legal experts with their "Well, actually..." this is a reminder that not guilty does not mean innocent. You do not get found innocent in a Canadian criminal trial. ✌🏻
Misogyny lives on, strong and clear.
July 24, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Misogyny lives on, strong and clear.
I'm seeing this play out in every day interactions with every day people, empowered by the fact that world leaders are exemplifying this, even on a Sunday night: letting bullies get their way only creates more tantrums, heightened entitlement, and more injustice.
WHY are we doing this?????
WHY are we doing this?????
June 30, 2025 at 3:34 AM
I'm seeing this play out in every day interactions with every day people, empowered by the fact that world leaders are exemplifying this, even on a Sunday night: letting bullies get their way only creates more tantrums, heightened entitlement, and more injustice.
WHY are we doing this?????
WHY are we doing this?????
Having started in medicine in 1999, and now in my 20th year of medical practice, I will state with full conviction that I really do miss the days where getting vaccines for preventable infections (some that had once been eliminated) was just plain common sense & uncontroversial.
#VaccinesSaveLives
#VaccinesSaveLives
June 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Having started in medicine in 1999, and now in my 20th year of medical practice, I will state with full conviction that I really do miss the days where getting vaccines for preventable infections (some that had once been eliminated) was just plain common sense & uncontroversial.
#VaccinesSaveLives
#VaccinesSaveLives
Reposted by Amy Tan, MD
You can’t fight fascism without disability justice. Fascism creates more disability, which then sees us as replaceable and our deaths as excusable. You can’t fight for humanity without fighting for disabled people.
May 17, 2025 at 8:22 PM
You can’t fight fascism without disability justice. Fascism creates more disability, which then sees us as replaceable and our deaths as excusable. You can’t fight for humanity without fighting for disabled people.
Reposted by Amy Tan, MD
Covid is a social justice issue. For many of the most vulnerable, the pandemic never ended.
People decided to 'go back to normal' because it's what they wanted, not because it was over.
Society's unwillingness to address Covid means those of us who care must work twice as hard to avoid infection
People decided to 'go back to normal' because it's what they wanted, not because it was over.
Society's unwillingness to address Covid means those of us who care must work twice as hard to avoid infection
May 16, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Covid is a social justice issue. For many of the most vulnerable, the pandemic never ended.
People decided to 'go back to normal' because it's what they wanted, not because it was over.
Society's unwillingness to address Covid means those of us who care must work twice as hard to avoid infection
People decided to 'go back to normal' because it's what they wanted, not because it was over.
Society's unwillingness to address Covid means those of us who care must work twice as hard to avoid infection
As a trauma survivor, a lot of what is covered here re memory and trauma including dissociating, fragmented memories, and emotions very much resonates with my ongoing experience of this.
Hope this is considered strongly by the judge.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Hope this is considered strongly by the judge.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
How trauma can affect memory and court testimony | CBC News
Under cross-examination, E.M., the complainant in the world junior hockey sex assault trial underway in London, Ont., has alleged she suffered trauma that has clouded her memory after the June 2018 ni...
www.cbc.ca
May 17, 2025 at 8:40 PM
As a trauma survivor, a lot of what is covered here re memory and trauma including dissociating, fragmented memories, and emotions very much resonates with my ongoing experience of this.
Hope this is considered strongly by the judge.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Hope this is considered strongly by the judge.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...