Dr. Audrey L. Tanksley, M.D.
# of years with I Am Abel: 4
Title: Physician/Medical Director
Specialty: Internal Medicine/Addiction
Personal Bio:
Dr. Audrey L. Tanksley was born and raised on the south side of Chicago in the Roseland community. She attended undergraduate school at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and medical school at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, IL. Dr. Tanksley returned to the Chicagoland area to complete her Internal Medicine residency training at UIC/ Advocate Christ Medical Center where she also served as chief resident. She has subsequently completed fellowship training in Medical Education Research at University of Chicago, Integrative Medicine at University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center of Integrative Medicine. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine. She has 2 children and a wonderful husband of 22 years. She enjoys gardening, dancing and laughing. She is an advocate for the community and works to bridge the gaps in health inequity.
Favorite part of I Am Abel: My favorite part is interacting and teaching at Saturday professor
Why is the mission of I Am Abel so important? I would not be where I am if there were not pathway programs like I Am Abel. I think this mission is important because we are not all born to the same circumstances and these types of programs help provide those less fortunate with a chance to think bigger than their block.
Why did you want to become a physician? I wanted to be a physician because I wanted to make a lot of money doing something I loved, I wished someone told me then that was probably not going to happen lol. I did however find a career that I could mold into something I could love. I enjoy helping people who are often disregarded by our healthcare and larger society find their purpose and walk in it. I chose Addiction medicine for a number of reasons, many of them personal interactions that I have had in my time on this planet, but I wouldn't do anything else. I enjoy challenges, and I enjoy finding beauty in places that others don't.
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