SPOTLIGHT ON BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH

“Rooted in Justice & Joy”
#BMHW26

Written by Taylor Spears, MD, Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project Fellow

The second week of April is an important week for maternal health, research and empowerment. is a movement founded by the and takes place annually on April 11th-17th. April was intentionally chosen as it is also . Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a “network of Black-led/Black women-led organizations and multi-disciplinary professionals who work to ensure that all Black Mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.”��

After doing more research about the movement, one of the most interesting facts shared by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. is that they are banded together in support of Black mothers whether they have borne children or not. They fight for the rights of community mothers, those who continuously take care of others without looking for any form of repayment outside of the betterment of their community and home. BMMA provides facts about maternal health and reproductive health in an easy to find and easy to understand manner. Some of these facts will be shared during Black Maternal Health Week on Ģ����Ƶ’s Instagram page . They even provide a mental health fact sheet for and about black mothers (see link below).

This highlights the idea that we have to stop ignoring the facts. We believe research in every other aspect, but when approached with the continued mistreatment of African American patients, some people turn a blind eye. The facts are the facts and the research is real, so what are you going to do about it?��

In the U.S., Black Women are over 3 times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women. CDC notes that more than 80% of pregnancy related deaths are preventable.

What can we do as students?? As medical students, there are several ways to support this movement. As Ģ����Ƶ members, we offer the opportunity to hold your own chapter event during Black Maternal Health Week where you can enjoy a film screening, host an issue education session, or indulge in the education of our Manual Vacuum Aspiration training, etc. Short on time that week? No problem. Ģ����Ƶ offers these opportunities year round, and you can display your interest by completing one or all of the following forms:��

Outside of Ģ����Ƶ, you can support and volunteer with your local organizations that advocate for Black mamas and recognize and bring light to the disproportionate rate of maternal morbidity and mortality of Black mothers. Also, research! Lead or join research projects that help us to better understand the causes of the disproportionate risks between Black women and others. Educate yourself and others on how we can make our pregnancies easier, healthier, and make the proper care more accessible.�� You can use your platform to amplify the movement and share facts about the movement, reproductive justice, and reproductive rights. Several of these posts can be found on the Ģ����Ƶ Instagram page during Black Maternal Health Week and simply shared. To increase awareness and enhance the interactions your posts receive, use hashtags #BMHW26, #BlackMamasMatter, #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, and #BlackMaternalHealth.��

We desire to assist you in your advocacy efforts and journey, as we do our part as an organization to support Black Maternal Health Week.
Email us here rhp@amsa.org��

Resource to Explore & Share:

• 2026 Black Maternal Health Week National Call, Black Mamas Matter Alliance –��
• , Black Mamas Matter Alliance
• Raising awareness for Black maternal health, 11 Alive –��
• ProPublica Investigation on How Hospitals Are Failing Black Mothers, Planned Parenthood Florida Action –��
• Holding Ground on Maternal Health:��Maternal Health Awareness Day 2026 ACOG Webinar with Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, the Julia A. Okoro Professor of Black Maternal Health in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine –��

Research to Explore & Share:

• Why Access to Abortion Care Matters for Black Maternal Health,��The Century Foundation –��
• From Crisis to Commitment: Ending the Epidemic of Maternal Mortality among Black Women: A Call to Action, Health & Social Work –��
• Why Aren’t We Using Family Medicine to Help Confront the Maternal Mortality Crisis in the United States?��Obstetric Anesthesia Digest –��

Upcoming Opportunities to Explore & Share:

• April 11 Online @ 2:30pmE –��Black Maternal Health & Birth Justice Across Regions: In Honor of International Day for Maternal Health and Rights –��
• April 13 Online @12:00pmE��– #BMHW26 Virtual Pep Rally: Black Maternal Health in Your Neighborhood –��
• April 16 Online @ 6:00pmE��– Beyond the Binary—Black Trans Family Building in a World Not Built for US –��

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Ģ����Ƶ Celebrates Today’s Abortion Care providers & Nurtures Tomorrow’s

Today, March 10, we invite you to join us in celebrating Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, which honors and lifts up abortion providers. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the day’s founding, intended to honor the life and service of Dr. David Gunn, who was murdered by an anti-abortion extremist on March 10, 1993.

In the more than 30 years since Dr. Gunn’s murder, abortion providers have continued to face threats, harassment, and violence. And since the Dobbs decision in 2022 overturned Roe, clinicians increasingly face the risk of criminalization for providing abortion care even for miscarriage management.��

And yet, every day, abortion providers, clinic staff, and volunteers make the commitment to provide the life-affirming and life-saving care they are trained to provide to people who need an abortion. This is one way that radical love-in-action looks like.

Today and every day, Ģ����Ƶ honors their courage and their conviction to provide abortion care even in the face of these ongoing risks and threats. We affirm that reproductive health services are essential to comprehensive health care, and we support full access to the entire range of reproductive services. We believe safe, voluntary abortions should be available to all who need them, regardless of how much they earn, who they work for, or where they live.

The is here to support tomorrow’s abortion providers and future physician advocates for reproductive health, rights, and justice. If you are planning to provide abortion care – and even if you aren’t planning to – we welcome you to participate in any of the RHP programs. Additionally, Ģ����Ƶ Chapters can receive financial and programmatic support from the Ģ����Ƶ RHP for chapter events.

Medical students, we hope you’ll consider joining us in Asheville for the Summer 2026 Ģ����Ƶ Abortion Care and Reproductive Justice Institutes! Just a few open spots remaining – learn more and apply today!

For more about abortion care and Abortion Provider Appreciation Day check out the resources below and on Instagram and
to receive the Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project Newsletter delivered to your inbox every other Saturday!

EXPLORE the resources below from Abortion Care Providers, Trainers, Allies & Truth-Tellers

CHECK-OUT & SHARE our APAD Thank You posts

Why Can’t it Just be Okay – A Poem about Abortion Care

Written by Aliye Runyan, MD, FACOG, OB-GYN, Complex Family Planning subspecialist
& Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project Strategist

Routine
Mundane
Another medical procedure that we accept
Can sometimes be necessary,
Life saving,
Difficult –
But not always.
Not every end to a pregnancy is sad
Some pregnancies end in joyous birth
Some end with grief for what could have been
Some end with a sigh of relief
Freedom to be a parent or not to be
Freedom to choose one’s path in life
Abortion is an act of love
Abortion is common
Safe
Should not be an undue burden to access
Why can’t it just be okay
The story of abortion is made to be
Black and white
Good vs evil
When it is simply a part of life
Part of a person’s reproductive journey
Part of being a human
Abortion is an act of love
Why can’t it just be okay

We share this poem as part of our annual honoring and recognition of .
Why Can’t it Just be Okay��was published originally within – a collection of poems curated by the Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM),�� a peer-reviewed, international, open access journal that explores emerging, neglected and marginalized issues across the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

ABORTION CARE NETWORK��

The Abortion Care Network (ACN) supports and strengthens independent abortion providers, ensuring they have the resources, training, and advocacy needed to deliver compassionate care. Their work helps keep clinics open and accessible for communities across the country.
Website
Instagram

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS & GYNECOLOGISTS

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is a leading voice in OB/GYN care, medical education, and advocacy. Their work supports providers, patients, and policies that protect and expand reproductive health access, including abortion care.
Website
Instagram��

NATIONAL ABORTION FEDERATION

The National Abortion Federation (NAF) ensures that abortion care is safe, accessible, and high-quality by providing training, support, and advocacy for providers. They also offer financial assistance and resources to help patients overcome barriers to care.
Website
Instagram��

NATIONAL NETWORK OF ABORTION FUNDS

The National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) works to eliminate financial and logistical barriers to abortion care. Through a coalition of nearly 100 grassroots organizations, they provide direct support so that cost and access are never obstacles to reproductive freedom.
Website
Instagram��

PLANNED PARENTHOOD

For over a century, Planned Parenthood has been a trusted provider of reproductive health care, education, and advocacy. Their commitment to accessible, patient-centered care ensures that millions can make informed decisions about their health and futures.
Website
Instagram��

SOCIETY OF FAMILY PLANNING

The Society of Family Planning advances science, research, and education in sexual and reproductive health. By supporting evidence-based policies and medical education, they help improve abortion and contraception care worldwide.
Website

MEDICAL STUDENTS FOR CHOICE

Medical Students for Choice (MSFC) is dedicated to training and empowering future abortion providers by ensuring medical students receive the education and support they need to provide reproductive health care. Their advocacy strengthens the next generation of providers committed to abortion access and reproductive justice.
Website
Instagram

PHYSICIANS FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Physicians for Reproductive Health trains and supports physician-advocates to protect and expand abortion care access.�� Through medical education, advocacy, and leadership training, they ensure that abortion care remains accessible, patient-centered, and evidence-based. Their commitment empowers both providers and communities to fight for reproductive freedom.
Website
Instagram

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACCESS PROJECT

Reproductive Health Access Project expands abortion care, contraception, and miscarriage care by training and supporting primary care clinicians. Their work ensures that reproductive health care is accessible, evidence-based, and integrated into primary care settings.
Website
Instagram

TEACH-Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare

TEACH�� equips clinicians with the skills and training needed to provide compassionate, patient-centered abortion care. By integrating abortion education into primary care, they expand access to safe and comprehensive reproductive health services.
Website
Instagram

THE RYAN PROGRAM: RESIDENCY TRAINING IN ABORTION & FAMILY PLANNING

The Ryan Program advances family planning and abortion training in OB/GYN residency programs, ensuring that future physicians are equipped to provide comprehensive reproductive health care. Their work strengthens abortion access by integrating it into medical education.
Website

REPRO TLC

Repro TLC (formerly Midwest Access Project) supports abortion and family planning educators, ensuring they have the tools to train the next generation of compassionate, skilled reproductive health providers. Their work strengthens teaching, learning, and community in reproductive health care.
Website
Instagram

PHYSICIANS FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Physicians for Reproductive Health trains and supports physician-advocates to protect and expand abortion care access.�� Through medical education, advocacy, and leadership training, they ensure that abortion care remains accessible, patient-centered, and evidence-based. Their commitment empowers both providers and communities to fight for reproductive freedom.
Website
Instagram

GUTTMACHER INSTITUTE

Advancing sexual & reproductive health & rights worldwide for more than 55 years. High-quality research. Evidence-Based Advocacy. Strategic Communications.
Website
Instagram

CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

The Center for Reproductive Rights uses the power of law to advance reproductive rights as fundamental human rights around the world.
Website
Instagram

WE TESTIFY

We Testify uses the power of real stories to change how people see abortion. Through the stories we tell, we build community, leadership, and power. We Testify storytelling also expands conversations through films like produced with Planned Parenthood. *Arrange Viewings to Engage Your Classmates with the Ģ����Ƶ Repro Project – Link
Website
Instagram

ALL ABOVE ALL

All Above All is building a future where abortion is affordable, available, and supported for anyone who seeks care. #AbortionJustice.
Website
Instagram

ABORTION ACCESS FRONT

The Abortion Access Front is a team of comedians, activists, writers, and producers that uses humor to destigmatize abortion and expose the extremist anti-choice forces working to destroy access to reproductive rights in all 50 states.
Website
Instagram

SYA – SHOUT YOUR ABORTION

SYA makes resources, campaigns, and media intended to arm existing activists, create new ones, and foster collective participation in abortion access all over the country.
Website
Instagram

REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL

Reproductive Freedom For All, formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America, has helped lead the charge for over 50 years in the fight for abortion rights, access to birth control, parental leave policies, and pregnancy protections.
Website
Instagram

M&A HOTLINE

The M+A (Miscarriage and Abortion) Hotline – a team of volunteer clinicians with decades of experience in miscarriage and abortion. Call or Text 1-833-246-2632.��

Website
Instagram

MIFE IN ALL 50 – EMAA PROJECT

“Mife” (pronounced “MIFF-ee”) is mifepristone, a safe, FDA‑approved abortion pill used for over 25 years. Science shows it’s safe. Healthcare providers say it’s essential. Anti‑abortion politicians? They’re trying to take it away.

Website

ABORTIONFINDER

AbortionFinder.org was created to provide clear, up-to-date information about the availability of abortion care across the country. AbortionFinder is operated by Bedsider, a project of Power to Decide.

Website Instagram

PLAN C PILLS��

Plan C is a public health creative campaign on abortion pill access, started in 2015 by a small team of veteran public health advocates, researchers, social justice activists. Plan C works to transform access to abortion in the US by normalizing the self-directed option of abortion pills by mail.

Website
Instagram

Explore the Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project
Find news, tips, tools, opportunities�� & more!

for Ģ����Ƶ Repro Project Updates

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Taylor Attends CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting

Written by Taylor Spears, MD, Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project Fellow

As a new medical graduate, my attendance at the Annual Meeting of the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics & Gynecology and the Association of Professors of Gynecology & Obstetrics (CREOG/APGO) was nothing short of amazing!
It was such an inspiring experience to be in the room with so many people of prestige. From educators, program directors, program managers, program chairs, residents, and medical students, the opportunities were endless. We came together in several sessions to discuss AI in the field of OB/GYN, resident wellness, microaggression in medical education, conflict resolution, etc.��

I was granted the chance to connect with amazing medical experts in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, who also offered a deeper dive into resident education. A few of my favorite interactions included an Improv Workshop that allowed two people to take on the roles of patient and physician. In this workshop, I took the role of the patient, as many of the attendees had a much more extensive medical background than I. During this experience, I felt very deep emotion in my role which I am sure, when integrated into a resident curriculum, would allow the space for deep empathy.��

In the exhibit hall, I was able to participate in a simulation to remove retained products of conception. I also simulated two vaginal births, one without complications and one with shoulder dystocia of the infant. I was able to practice McRoberts maneuver and delivery of the infant’s posterior shoulder in this one simulation. Also present in the exhibit hall were poster presentations of several researchers that I enjoyed viewing and discussing.��

One of my greatest joys during this week of events was connecting with people who expressed genuine excitement to have me in the room.��

True educators are always excited to receive questions from an inquisitive mind; a learner, as I’ve been called. I want to send a huge thank you to the coordinators, organizers, speakers, and staff for putting together a great experience and learning opportunity at the . I hope to see you all in the upcoming years!!��

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See more photos of Taylor’s trip to CREOG/APOG

Explore the Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project
Find news, tips, tools, opportunities�� & more!

for Ģ����Ƶ Repro Project Updates

The post Taylor Attends CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting appeared first on Ģ����Ƶ.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH
SPOTLIGHT ON REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE��

Not Your Experiment: The Experimentation of African Americans in the name of “Medical Advancement”��

Written by Taylor Spears, MD, Reproductive Health Project Fellow

As a Black woman in medicine, I recognize the history of medicine and its effect on minority populations, specifically the African American population, are often responsible for the distrust that is frequently observed in patient rooms today.��

Far too often, Black women and men have been subjected to harmful conditions and used as nonconsenting experiments under the guise of “medical advancement.”��

From the Tuskegee Experiment, to government environmental experiments on urban communities, to physical and surgical experimentation experienced by enslaved people. In my position as Reproductive Health Project Fellow, in this first week of Black History Month, I feel it is most appropriate to bring acknowledgement to the Mothers of Gynecology.

Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy were enslaved black, teenage girls in Montgomery County, Alabama in the 1840’s. Without consent, they were subjected to gynecologic experimentation by Dr. J. Marion Sims. During these experiments, there was no pain management administered for even the slightest bit of comfort for these women, in what was already an inevitably uncomfortable situation both psychologically and physically.��

Dr. Sims’ “medical treatment” was sought by the enslavers of Betsey, Anarcha, and Lucy after they experienced long term complications of childbirth. Sims experimented on at least ten enslaved women during this time, some undergoing 30 or more procedures. These procedures were often witnessed by other curious physicians; and, as enslaved people, consent was not a legal requirement, as slaves were viewed as property.��

Sims went on to be known for his “discoveries”, some being discontinued shortly after, while the young ladies used in these experiments were forgotten in the background of history. It should be noted that the enslavers of these women likely sought treatment driven by their desire for these women to continue working and childbearing. Even today, black women’s pain is not taken seriously nor is it managed properly. Only recently, were the Mothers of Gynecology recognized for their involuntary contributions to the field of medicine. Today, we share our empathy and gratitude for the Mothers of Gynecology.

“Reproductive Justice is a framework that focuses on the combination of reproductive rights, human rights, and social justice.” – Loretta Ross

Resources

• Explore – The Mothers of Gynecology Museum

Deeper Dives

The Mothers of Gynecology: What Medicine Owes Anarcha, Betsey & Lucy

Elevate Black Wellness (12min) –��

• Mothers of Gynecology,��University of Michigan, Center for History, Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, Ethics and Medicine (2hrs)
  Speakers include: Michelle Browder, Drs. Lisa Harris, Veronica Pimentel, Althea Maybank and Miss Raven Ford –��
• Abortion Rights in the States: Anti-Abortion State Policies and Strategies to Expect in 2026, Reproaction –��
• Many Paths, One Movement: Approaches to Abortion Advocacy, The Sexual and Reproductive Justice Hub at CUNY School of Public Health –��

This post is excerpted from our Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project eNews #64 – February 7, 2026 – Honor Their Contribution, Say Their Names: Anarcha, Betsey & Lucy

Explore the��Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project
Find news, tips, tools, opportunities�� & more!

��for Ģ����Ƶ Repro Project Updates

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Cultivating Connection, Belonging, and Hope at Ģ����Ƶ

Written by Nikitha Balaji, Ģ����Ƶ National President and Donya Ahmadian, Ģ����Ƶ Legislative Affairs Director

In the last several months, we have thought deeply about what we love so much about our Ģ����Ƶ community and the ways we can continue to nurture meaningful connections with you. This is of course important always, and especially in this current moment, as the very nature of what we hold dear can feel at risk. As we lean into the holiday season, it is especially important that we consider the value of coming together and to create spaces where this connection can flourish.��

As this year has evolved, we have witnessed increasing attempts to deny us all our fundamental human rights. In the face of this, we know that it is an especially hard time to be a student, and, moreso, a difficult time to exist in our full personhood. Between the rigor of our lives as students and the deeply troubling times we are living in, it is easy to feel disconnected, disjointed, and fragmented from a sense of community and this world. That is where the safe harbor that we have built together can stand tall- a place where we can rest and return to ourselves. At times such as these, Ģ����Ƶ endeavors to provide structured support and companionship in equal measure, as we find the courage within ourselves and in others to call for a more just version of medicine, medical education, and our world.��

In the fight for universal human rights and health justice for all, we at Ģ����Ƶ want to affirm that hope is a verb. We enact hope when we tell our stories, organize for collective action, and gather together to make a difference. This important work is made possible when we are empowered to connect with one another as a practice of Love, and in doing so, we open ourselves up to the experience of joy in manifesting Beloved Community. Whether you are feeling energized, exhausted, hopeful, heavy-hearted, or a mix of these and so many more- as we often are- this space is for you.

With hope is a verb in mind we invite you to join us in slowing down together as we draw the year to a close with our first Community Building Holiday Happy Hour, December 21st at 5:00 PM ET. This virtual gathering will be the first of many that has been intentionally designed with you in mind- a place to rest our hearts, minds, and spirits. and we would love to practice this art of stillness together. Our original invitation can be found below.��

Know that however this season is meeting you,
you will forever and always have a seat saved for you in this circle.��

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Labor Day Crossword Puzzle from the Ģ����Ƶ Repro Project

Enjoy some puzzling fun this Labor Day weekend while reviewing “labor” related medical terminology!

Play online below or print PDF

Click Here for Answer Sheet

We gratefully acknowledge and thank the following sources for sharing of these terms and definitions:

UW Medicine – Patient Education

March of Dimes – Contraction and signs of labor

*Note: this puzzle is included in Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project eNews
#53 Post-Dobbs Priorities & Labor Day Puzzle Fun! August 30, 2025

Explore the Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project
Find news, tips, tools, opportunities�� & more!

for Ģ����Ƶ Repro Project Updates

The post New Puzzle! Find Labor Terms in Labor Day Crossword from Ģ����Ƶ Repro Project appeared first on Ģ����Ƶ.

Priorities of a Pro-Abortion OB/GYN Applicant: How the Dobbs Decision Has Shaped the Match

Written by Elissa Cleland, Ģ����Ƶ Vice President for Internal Affairs,
and M4 at Eastern Virginia Medical School

When I applied to medical school in 2021, I applied broadly. From California to Florida, geographic location mattered far less in my checklist for my education than early patient exposure and a free-run clinic. Four years later, I am applying to OB/GYN residency with a very different set of parameters.��

Will I receive evidence-based medical training?��

Will I be protected by my institution if I make a life-saving clinical decision for my patient in an extreme, anti-abortion state?��

Will I be criminalized for providing patient-centered care?

These are not questions I anticipated having to consider at this point in my education. The hostile political environment has narrowed my options tremendously. As I scour the residency Instagrams and applicant reddits, I am noting programs’ stances on advocacy, LGBT+ support, and comprehensive abortion training. I thought I would be looking for culture between co-residents, but instead I’m ensuring programs uphold bodily autonomy. This has made the northeast and west coast programs sanctuaries for pro-abortion, aspiring OB/GYNs. They are supersaturated with applicants, providers, and also patients.

Not only do I have to be aware of state laws and institutional policies,
but even states that are safely blue are not unaffected by the overturning of Roe v. Wade.��

New York City hospitals have been inundated with medical refugees, pregnant people fleeing from their totalitarian home states to receive comprehensive prenatal care. Anecdotally, residents have even warned prospective applicants away from some of these programs as they are overworked and underpaid, suffering from the undue burden of an increased patient load.

From my own experience at the start of this application cycle, abortion care is a highly-discussed topic. Attending a meet and greet for one religious institution, I was surprised that one slide was wholly dedicated to how residents still receive abortion training despite their hospital’s restrictions. The residents were emphatic that the culture was unequivocally pro-choice even amongst faculty. During the ACOG OB/GYN virtual showcase this past week, the sentiment seems to be a theme. As important as research opportunities and fellowship support, programs are equally emphasizing advocacy and DEI efforts. They seem to know this is an important priority amongst students and are catering to this shift in focus.

Another transition for OB/GYN applicants is how competitive this specialty has become. During my very first medical school lecture, OB/GYN was labeled as a mildly competitive specialty in terms of match rates and average step scores. However, in the wake of the 2025 match with only 10 unfilled positions nationwide(1), my advisor has taken on a different sense of urgency and caution. Applicants that might have seemed to be safe in the past, had reportedly low interview offers this past cycle. I speculate this could be partially influenced by the switch from ERAS to ResidancyCAS in 2023 and the learning curve of program signaling. However, studies have shown that OB/GYN residencies have been increasingly competitive over the last two decades in terms of program standards and applicant metrics.��

Post Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, states with stricter abortion bans have seen a statistically significant decrease in OB/GYN residency applicants(2).��

Alabama has the lowest number of women’s health providers in the nation(3). Not only are they losing practicing physicians, they are also losing prospective residents. The state saw a 21.2% decrease in OB/GYN residency applicants from 2023-2024 post Dobbs, a drastic drop from the year prior(4). There is an undeniable connection between abortion restrictions and OB/GYN providers and trainees. Therefore, it seems OB/GYN as a whole has not become statistically more competitive, but certain geographic regions have become highly competitive. A program that was once mid-tier might be elevated in status if the state is pro-abortion. This change in topography has been difficult to trend and has made the match highly unpredictable for OB/GYN applicants.

As the interview cycle begins, it is obvious the lasting impact the current societal conservatism has had on the landscape of medicine. Not only has it created a disparity in applicants by region, but also exacerbated health inequities across the nation. The administration has sounded the alarm for declining birth rates, yet continues to pass legislation that drives out obstetricians and limits prenatal care. Abortion is prenatal care. It ensures a birthing person won’t have to choose between motherhood and her own life. Abortion ensures a mother might have the chance to become a mother again. Although I am outraged for the women who will be abandoned in these women’s health deserts, I feel an obligation to pursue my education in a state that will expose me to comprehensive abortion training. Evidently, I am not alone in this ideal.��

The burden to make these states hospitable to physicians falls solely on the shoulders of the politicians embracing religious fanaticism and puritanism,
not prospective clinicians clinging to medical ethics.��

The next generation of OB/GYNs has clearly indicated what we prioritize, but will politicians hear us?����������������

1. National resident matching program® releases the 2025 Main Residency Match® results, celebrates the next generation of Physicians. NRMP. (2025, March 21). https://www.nrmp.org/about/news/2025/03/national-resident-matching-program-releases-the-2025-main-residency-match-results-celebrates-the-next-generation-of-physicians/
2. Hammoud MM, Morgan HK, George K, et al. Trends in Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Applications in the Year After Abortion Access Changes. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(2):e2355017. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.55017
3. America’s Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2025.
4. Rocha, A. (2024, May 21). Alabama OB-GYN residencies dropped over 20% after Dobbs, state abortion ban, says analysis. Alabama Reflector. https://alabamareflector.com/2024/05/21/alabama-medical-residencies-dropped-over-20-after-dobbs-state-abortion-ban-says-analysis/

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*Note: this Spotlight is included in Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project eNews
#53 Post-Dobbs Priorities & Labor Day Puzzle Fun! August 30, 2025

Find the current and past issues in the Ģ����Ƶ Repro eNews Archive.

��

Explore the Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project
Find news, tips, tools, opportunities�� & more!

for Ģ����Ƶ Repro Project Updates

The post Priorities of a Pro-Abortion OB/GYN Applicant: How the Dobbs Decision Has Shaped the Match appeared first on Ģ����Ƶ.

SPOTLIGHT ON ABORTION CARE & REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE��

Voices from the Frontlines: Dr. Kristyn Brandi on Claiming Space and Shaping the Future of Abortion Care

Written by Araam Abboud, MS, Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project Intern

Abortion providers do more than deliver essential healthcare—they advocate, educate, and push back against the stigma that surrounds their work. I had the honor of speaking to Dr. Kristyn Brandi, an OB-GYN and Complex Family Planning subspecialist, who has dedicated her career to ensuring patients receive compassionate, evidence-based care while also training the next generation of providers. In our conversation, she shares her journey into abortion care, the challenges she’s faced, and what keeps her going in a field that is as rewarding as it is demanding.

Araam: To start off, could you tell us a little bit about yourself—where you’re from and what you do now?

Dr. Brandi: Sure! My name is Kristyn Brandi, and my pronouns are she/her/ella. I was born and raised in New Jersey, and I still live and provide clinical care here.

I’m an OB-GYN and a Complex Family Planning subspecialist. I also consider myself a reproductive justice and reproductive autonomy advocate, and I do research and work in education—specifically in training the next generation of abortion providers.

Araam: We love that! I’d love to hear about what first inspired you to become an abortion provider.

Dr. Brandi: I’ve always been interested in human rights and social justice, so I was drawn to abortion care as a concept, but I didn’t know much about it clinically or how it actually happened.

When I started medical school, I got involved with Ģ����Ƶ and Medical Students for Choice, and I assumed that when I became a “serious doctor,” I’d have to set that aside. But then I found OB-GYN to be the perfect marriage of healthcare and social justice.

There was a specific moment that really solidified my decision. I remember working with a patient who was there for an abortion due to a fetal anomaly. She was devastated—she didn’t want to be there, but she knew this was the best decision for her and her child. And yet, the nurses barely wanted to be in the room with her. They didn’t want to talk to her because she was having an abortion.

It was awful. These were nurses I respected, people I knew provided excellent care—but in that moment, they let stigma override their compassion.��

I never wanted patients to feel ostracized or neglected like that. If someone needs care, they should be able to access it with dignity and respect. That experience shaped a lot of my work, especially in marginalized care, and abortion has always been central to that.

Araam: Wow. Did you feel like you had a lot of exposure to abortion care in medical school?

Dr. Brandi: I was lucky. My fourth-year elective let me shadow and actually perform a few first-trimester procedures, which was eye-opening and inspiring. After that, I was all in—like, sign me up, what do I need to do?

I was also fortunate to attend a residency program where abortion training was part of the core curriculum. That made all the difference. I know that’s not the case for many, so I recognize how lucky I was to have that exposure early on.

Araam: Has your perspective on abortion care changed over time?

Dr. Brandi: Not really, but my understanding of how institutions approach abortion care has evolved.

I did my medical school and residency in New Jersey, where we have relatively liberal laws. But even though abortion was legal, it wasn’t necessarily openly discussed. We provided care, but it was still hush-hush. No one really talked about it.

When I went to Boston for fellowship, I noticed a huge difference in the culture. There, we openly said the word abortion instead of using euphemisms like “termination of pregnancy.” There was no hesitation or discomfort—it was just part of normal healthcare, and that was refreshing.

Since then, I’ve worked in various spaces—academic institutions, Planned Parenthoods, independent clinics—and they all approach abortion differently. Even in supportive states, there are layers of stigma embedded in the system. And of course, I’ve done training in restricted states, where the challenges are even greater.

Araam: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an abortion provider?

Dr. Brandi: Legitimacy.

Abortion has long been ostracized in medicine. Before Roe, abortion was illegal, and providers were often depicted as shady, untrustworthy people. Those tropes never fully went away, and anti-choice rhetoric continues to push the idea that abortion doctors are greedy, unskilled, or bottom-of-the-class physicians.

That’s simply not true. I trained extensively for this. I have the same credentials as anyone else in my field, and I approach my work with the same compassion and commitment to patient autonomy.

I think all of us in medicine struggle with imposter syndrome to some degree, but for abortion providers, it’s compounded by societal stigma. For a long time, I felt like I had to prove that I was a real doctor. But the truth is, not many OB-GYNs can perform second-trimester D&Es or provide complex abortion care.��

My expertise is valuable, and I’ve learned to wear that as a badge of honor.

Araam: That’s such an important point. And your work is incredible. How do you maintain your emotional resilience?

Dr. Brandi: I remind myself that if I don’t do this, who will?

Every time I face challenges—whether it’s systemic barriers, stigma, or personal doubts—I think back to that patient no one wanted to care for.
If I don’t provide this care, who will?
If we all gave up, there would be no resistance left.

I also try to focus on the wins. Even when things feel overwhelming, I remind myself that every patient I help, every trainee I support, every stigma I push back against—it all matters.

Araam: What do you wish more people understood about abortion care and the providers who offer it?

Dr. Brandi: That abortion is normal.

People seeking abortions come from all walks of life. There’s no single “type” of person who gets an abortion. I’ve provided care to people who say, “I don’t believe in abortion, but I need this.” And my response is always: your abortion is just as valid as everyone else’s.

Abortion providers are also diverse. People have a specific image in their minds of who provides abortion care, but we don’t all fit that mold. Many of us are deeply connected to the communities we serve. We do this work because we believe in it. And let’s be honest—there are far more lucrative medical specialties.��

People who provide abortions do it because they care,
not because it’s easy or profitable.

Araam: What does Abortion Provider Appreciation Day mean to you?

Dr. Brandi: It’s complicated.

It actually falls on my birthday, which feels like a sign—I was literally born to do this work.

But the day itself is rooted in tragedy. It marks the anniversary of the first abortion provider killed for doing this work. That’s sobering. It reminds me how dangerous this job can be, how real the threats are.

At the same time, I love that people have reclaimed it as a celebration—an opportunity to honor those who have laid their lives on the line for this work,
and to uplift the future generation of providers.

Araam: Speaking of the next generation, if you could leave one message for future abortion providers, what would it be?

Dr. Brandi: Don’t listen to the noise.

There’s so much noise around abortion right now—misinformation, stigma, political attacks. It’s heavy. Even in personal conversations with friends and family, it can be exhausting.

But that’s not why you’re here. You’re here because you believe in this work.
Focus on that. Keep pushing forward. The world needs you.

Araam: That’s such a powerful message. Thank you so much for this conversation!

Thank you to Dr. Brandi for sharing her time and insights. These conversations are crucial in breaking down stigma, uplifting providers, and ensuring that abortion remains accessible and supported.

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*Note: an excerpt of this Spotlight is included in Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project eNews #52 The Anniversary That Demands Our Action,��August 16, 2025.
Find the current and past issues in the Ģ����Ƶ Repro eNews Archive.

��

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Call for Final Submissions to Summer 2025 Essay Contest Series

Get Published & Win Cash Prizes –��Open to All Ģ����Ƶ Members!

Separate Competitions for Premeds & Medical Students��

As we approach the three-year mark of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned nearly 50 years of federal protection for abortion care,��, Ģ����Ƶ members are invited to reflect, write and share their thoughts in essays exploring the intersection of reproductive justice and medical ethics.��

Our��Summer 2025 Essay Contest Series��provides a platform to amplify student voices, and promote a culture of empathy, solidarity, and evidence-based care. Each contest in the series offers separate competitions for premeds and medical students, and is��OPEN to ALL Ģ����Ƶ MEMBERS.

AWARDS:��

• 1st Prize��–��$500 Cash��& Featured Publication in Special Issues of Ģ����Ƶ’s��Weekly Consult,��Ģ����Ƶ’s national blog,��On Call, & Repro eNews��Spotlight on Abortion Care & Reproductive Justice��and highlighted within the��Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project��webpages and��@Ģ����Ƶnational��Social Media��

• 2nd Prize��–��$250 Cash��& Featured Publication in Ģ����Ƶ’s national blog,��On Call, & Repro eNews��Spotlight on Abortion Care & Reproductive Justice, and highlighted within the��Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project��webpages and��@Ģ����Ƶnational��Social Media

• Honorable Mention��– Featured Publication in Ģ����Ƶ’s national blog,��On Call, & Repro eNews��Spotlight on Abortion Care & Reproductive Justice, and highlighted within the��Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project��webpages

September Contest Theme

Breaking Down Abortion Care Stigma

Abortion care stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to accessing safe and compassionate reproductive health care. Misinformation, cultural taboos, and restrictive policies continue to fuel shame, silence, and fear around abortion care, impacting patients, providers, and communities alike. As future physicians, medical students have a unique role in dismantling these barriers, advocating for evidence-based care, and ensuring that abortion care is recognized as an essential part of healthcare.

In recognition of��, this essay contest invites medical students to explore the role of healthcare professionals in breaking down abortion care stigma.��

• How do societal attitudes and institutional policies contribute to stigma, and how can medical professionals work to shift these narratives?��
• What strategies can be used to normalize abortion care in medical education, clinical practice, and public discourse?��
• How have you, or those around you, witnessed or experienced abortion stigma, and what role does solidarity play in overcoming it?��

Essays should reflect on the intersections of stigma, access, and advocacy while exploring how future physicians can help build a culture of respect, empathy, and reproductive justice that recognizes abortion care and those who provide that care as essential to our communities.

Abortion Care Stigma Resource to Explore:����

• Submission Deadline��–��Sunday, September 7, 2025��at 11:59pmPT
• September Contest Winners��– will be notified by September 22 and announced publicly September 28, 2025

Submit Essays��

Summer 2025 Essay Contest Guidelines

Submission Requirements:��The Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project Summer 2025 Essay Contests are open to All Ģ����Ƶ members. Essay content MUST have a U.S. focus or context. Submissions must be an original, unpublished essay of no more than 750 words and must be written in English. Members may submit 1 essay for each of the three Contests, but authors who submit essays in multiple contests can win only 1 prize during this Summer 2025 Essay Contest Series.��

Publication/Promotion:��Prizes will be awarded to selected essay authors for each of the 3 contests in the Summer 2025 series.�� Winners for the first contest will be announced publicly June 24, August 18, September 28, 2025.

Selection Criteria:��A panel of judges, to include a mix of medical students, Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project Mentors and Staff will review submissions from each competition and select 3 winning essays for each of the 3 contests in the Summer 2025 series. Essays will be judged on the following equally weighted criteria:

• Content and connection to the topic��
• Quality of writing and clarity of thought
• Novelty of the message
• Opportunity for others to learn

Questions:��Email��rhp@amsa.org

Learn More & See June Contest Winners – HERE

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Summer 2025 Essay Contest
Honorable Mention – Medical Student Category

Under the Shadow of Dobbs: Are We Complicit or Complacent?
Essay written by Amanda Moser

I sat in Law auditorium on the first day of Penn Preview, almost a year ago to the day, fidgeting in the swivel chair, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, anxious to hear the PSOM administration speak. Looking back, I now see that day as the beginning of my journey toward understanding the ethical foundations that would guide my path in medicine- and that those once unfamiliar faces would soon become the peers who push me to question, to imagine more, and to lead with justice and integrity.��

Dr. Cindy Christian stood at the podium, easing the room with humor before introducing what she affectionately called the “Christian Computation,” her own take on Einstein’s famous E=mc2: H = GZC2. In her words, health is a function of genetics multiplied by one’s zip code (ZC), squared.

Now, as I sit in that same auditorium seven months later, having completed courses in genetics, biochemistry, hematology, neurology, and psychiatry, I reflect on her equation with new insight. The power of that ZC2 speaks to how deeply social determinants impact health. As I’ve progressed through medical school, I’ve sought to understand, and more importantly, address, that impact—incorporating my passion for health equity and advocacy into the foundation of my training.

If I could expand Dr. Christian’s framework today, I would propose another variable, a second “C2,” not from the patient’s perspective, but from the providers. CC: Complicity and Complacency. Medicine is complex. Even with unlimited time, no number of lectures or research papers could fully encapsulate the intricacies of human illness. It is not for lack of trying. But if we accept that we cannot know or do everything, the real question becomes: what matters most?

Through courses like “Doctoring” and “Intro to Clinical Medicine”, patient panels, and standardized patient encounters, we are encouraged to hone the so-called “soft skills” of medicine. The core message underlying these experiences is beautifully simple: be human. Be present. Listen to your patients. Hear their stories. Let their narratives inform your clinical judgement and reshape your understanding of compassionate care.

But amidst the daily grind of academic excellence—the publishing, the boards, the resume-building—I’ve noticed how often these humanistic elements are sidelined. Patient panels become background noise to be tolerated while Anki decks and lecture notes take center stage. The quiet, profound work of connection is deprioritized in favor of measurable achievement. Today, we learn medicine not just in lecture halls, but under the shadow of Dobbs v. Jackson, a ruling that restricts clinical judgment. Since the Court’s decision, we face two choices: comply with politically driven injustice or remain silent—both at the expense of our patients’ wellbeing.

In our Doctoring course, we’re taught to “listen to the patient.” To recognize the patient’s autonomy as sacred.
But that ideal has been challenged. Patients are asked to navigate health systems bound by legislative mandates—and we, their providers, are too. For many of us, it’s a profound ethical reckoning:
How do we support patient decisions that laws may not permit?

These changes do not exist in abstraction. I have seen firsthand how Dobbs reverberates through our curriculum, our community, and our conscience. In class, we discuss legal geography and its consequences: how crossing a state line can mean the difference between access and denial. In clinic, I’ve seen the fear in patients’ eyes when disclosing pregnancies. In conversations with peers, I’ve noticed a deepening urgency: to resist, to advocate, and to learn how to safeguard care even within constraining systems.

And so, I return to the question: Are we complicit or complacent? Are we passive in the face of a system that limits reproductive autonomy, that prioritizes legal mandates over medical judgment? A system that pushes us to follow rules, not question them—even when our silence costs our patients their dignity, safety, and choice.

When political rulings begin to dictate medical decisions, neutrality is no longer ethical. As trainees, we must be vigilant not only in our knowledge of pharmacology and physiology, but also in our civic awareness, legal literacy, and moral courage.

This is not a condemnation, but a call—a call to see the patient in front of us not only as a case, but as a citizen with rights that we are charged to uphold, especially when systems fail them. In building my future in medicine, I hope to be both a student of science and a steward of humanity—someone who knows that while H = GZC2 might explain health, healing begins when we lean into that final, often-forgotten CÇ and dare to challenge our role as providers and choose to continually reflect and do better.

We must be more than clinicians¬—we must be translators, protectors, and advocates. We must know how to write appeals, to cite precedent, to educate lawmakers as well as patients. It is our duty to create safety where policy has removed it, and to reassert humanity where it has been stripped away.

###

2 More Chances this Summer to Get Published & Win Cash Prizes!

Summer 2025 Essay Contest Series is��Open to All Ģ����Ƶ Members!
Separate Competitions for Premeds & Medical Students��

Learn More & Submit Here

Explore the��Ģ����Ƶ Reproductive Health Project
Find news, tips, tools, opportunities�� & more!

��for Ģ����Ƶ Repro Project Updates

The post June Essay Contest Med Student Honorable Mention – Under the Shadow of Dobbs: Are We Complicit or Complacent? appeared first on Ģ����Ƶ.