The Next Generation of Abortion Providers

Source: Guttmacher Institute

An insighful article by Stephanie Simon in the LA times explores the reasons why some young doctors are gravitating to the field of family planning. It’s a career choice driven by passion, politics and a committment to choice.

I found that the sentiments of one young doctor interviewed in the article echo those that I felt years ago when I first decided to enter the field of Ob-Gyn….

…young doctors-in-training have found their own motivation to enter a field that they know will put them at risk of isolation, harassment and hatred. For them, doing abortions is an act of defiance — a way of pushing back against mounting restrictions on a right they’ve taken for granted all their lives.”It’s like when your big brother says you can’t do something,” Lederer said. “That just makes you want to do it even more.”

Most of these students are members of Medical Students For Choice, a group who’s motto is “Without providers, there is no choice”. How true.

Simon states in her article that there is no straight path to becoming an abortion provider. Actually, there is – a family planning fellowship. These comprehensive programs are at some of the best medical schools in the country, and combine family planning and abortion training with clinical and epidemiologic research and a master’s degree in public health. The fellowships are an important bridge between the provision of family planning services and the public health aspects of the field.

The intimidation of physicians being perpetrated by this government appears to be serving as a catalyst for some young men and women to enter a field that can only get tougher. They deserve our gratitude and support.