Conference Program

Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) is a safe and easy method of providing early surgical abortion. It is also used for miscarriage management, treatment of failed medical abortion, or endometrial biopsy. MVA provides a low-tech alternative to electric vacuum aspiration that is gentler, quieter and used throughout the world in low resource settings. The session provides a hands-on learning opportunity using papayas as a uterine model.

Join abortion providers as they share their stories in an informal dialogue. Hear why they chose to provide abortion as part of their practice; where they practice; what they find meaningful and rewarding about their work; what is challenging about their work; and if they have been harassed or targeted by anti-choice groups/individuals and how they deal with it.

Following the June 24, 2022 decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in Dobbs to overturn abortion care precedent across the country, 15 states had immediate abortion bans or significant restrictions go into place. In the following months, the battle for abortion care raged on state by state. This has led to mass confusion for patients and healthcare providers alike. This confusion and lack of access to care has led to significant moral distress for OB/GYNs across the country, particularly those that provide abortion care. This distress is very similar to the distress obstetric providers felt throughout the COVID pandemic when attempting to disseminate evidence-based facts regarding COVID and vaccinations and watching pregnant people die needlessly due to politically motivated misinformation. The moral distress has led some, like Dr. Zahedi-Spung to leave restrictive states and seek employment in a state with favorable abortion laws, while others have chosen to stay and fight, such as Dr. Zite and Dr. Boos. Neither option is perfect and there is no right answer, however, as providers from the same state, we look forward to the opportunity to discuss our unique perspectives and emotional response to the abortion ban in Tennessee. In addition to the legal changes to abortion care access, there is significant and warranted concern within the OBGYN community about whether medical students will choose to train in restrictive spaces for residency or choose OBGYN as a specialty at all. With ever-worsening maternal mortality in the United States, there is significant concern that the deficit in OBGYNs across the country will worsen these rates and lead to more maternal deaths.

Ethical decision making is a daily occurrence in reproductive healthcare. We struggle daily with the laws and policies governing ethical decisions about who can receive and consent to reproductive healthcare and who is responsible for paying for that care. We will cover topics from pregnancy prevention to abortion, management of pregnancy complications and threats to maternal and fetal health as well as technological advances that bring up the ethical issues in surrogacy, adoption, gamete donation and more. From both real and theoretical cases, we will explore these ethical decisions and create a framework for having these critical conversations with patients and team members.

In the midst of significant political, religious, and social division within the United States, particularly related to sexual and reproductive health, it is critical that health professionals and advocates approach this issue through an evidence-based lens of change evolution. This session will allow participants to reflect on their respective personal and professional backgrounds, in an attempt to identify shared values with those of differing perspectives (on reproductive rights and justice), then utilize a public narrative approach to galvanize others towards action. Public narrative is an evidence-based approach, as described and taught by Marshall Ganz, that utilizes shared values, the Stories of Self, Us, and Now, and the empathetic bridge, to activate others towards a specific action (e.g., question of one’s beliefs and worldviews, attend a rally, contribute to a campaign, cast a vote). Thus, this session will build the foundational skills of public narrative, including the following: crafting the Story of Self, identifying the “Us,” finding shared values, crafting the Story of Now, and effectively utilizing the empathetic bridge. As trusted messengers in society, health professionals are well-positioned to execute on evidence-based approaches that have the strong potential to spur others towards positive social action, ultimately with the goal to move the needle on public opinion regarding access to safe and equitable sexual and reproductive healthcare.

Bayer cordially invites you to attend a Virtual IUD Educational Program facilitated by a Bayer Medical Educator. This educational program will review clinical information and placement steps for Mirena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 52mg, Kyleena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 19.5mg, and Skyla® (Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 13.5mg and is intended for US participants. Materials that can be used during the program will be mailed to enrolled participants.

The goal of this session is to provide information on abortion training available in ob-gyn and family medicine residency. A panel of physicians will discuss their abortion training experiences and how it has influenced their post-residency practice. Additionally, the panelists will address the impact of the Dobbs Supreme Court ruling on the training they provide. The session will end with a Q&A dialogue between panelists and attendees.

Faculty will discuss pregnancy, abortion, and family planning in the context of opioid, stimulant, and other use disorders. We will present screening and interview techniques, conduct a basic values clarification exercise, and review medication treatment for opioid use disorder – specifically methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone . The presentation will review the history of racism and reproductive coercion associated with substance use disorders. We can also address best practice pain control options for surgical abortion and responsible opioid prescribing – though this is probably quite high level for medical students. Finally, we hope to create a space to process difficult cases and create an open and reflective environment for challenging biases, confronting stigma, and asking questions.

Abortion providers Dr. Linda Prine and Dr. Maggie Carpenter and abortion rights attorney Julie F. Kay, are the co-founders of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine Access (ACT Access). Their joint presentation will outline the medical and legal advocacy steps they have taken to widen access to telehealth medication abortion in all 50 states. Working to pass and implement telemedicine shield laws, they have overcome opposition from traditional pro-choice organizations who question the model of self-induced abortion, and from lawyers who question the personal risk abortion providers are taking by serving patients in banned states and the risk from abortion opponents. This talk will review the challenges and victories along the way as well as the real life implications, risks and issues. We will include the difficulties of pursuing this “harm reduction” model during a time when anti-abortion zealots would like to remove medication abortion from the market and when some in our movement advocate that the only solution is to travel for abortion services. Since the fall of Roe, many women and pregnant people either cannot or do not want to travel to abortion-friendly states for abortion services. Receiving pills by mail or telehealth has been the best or only option for many, particularly for the most marginalized women. As a result, a range of services have been set up to provide pills and often with a variety of levels of care and reliability. Telemedicine abortion services provided by licensed providers in abortion-friendly states stands out as a way to ensure that women and pregnant people have contact with a licensed provider, certified medications with clear instructions, and consultations on follow-up care. Enacting telemedicine abortion shield laws in abortion-friendly states has been key to this effort.

Terminating pregnancies dates back thousands of years. Written proof shows that we have used numerous compounds to induce abortions over thousands of years. While mifepristone might seem like the cornerstone in medication abortion, it is not the first, nor will it be the last in compounds that can be used to induce an abortion. This session takes a brief look at the history of medication abortion followed by a detailed look at currently available medical abortion options that do not involve mifepristone. It ends with discussing what a potential ban on mifepristone could mean for a country.

Join abortion providers as they share their stories in an informal dialogue. Hear why they chose to provide abortion as part of their practice; where they practice; what they find meaningful and rewarding about their work; what is challenging about their work; and if they have been harassed or targeted by anti-choice groups/individuals and how they deal with it.

Patients and families are reported to law enforcement and family surveillance agencies such as the Department of Children and Families (DCF) predominantly by health care professionals. We are the pipeline. Many are taught that reporting families is for the safety of children and families because healthcare providers have been deputized to report our patients, often times with the gross misunderstanding that reporting does NOT result in resources for our patients. Research has shown that there is significant bias in how pregnant people and newborns are screened for drug use, how child abuse workups and reports to the family surveillance system in the emergency room targets families of color, and how pregnant people are criminalized with little regard to their rights. We propose to start with a 15 min introduction to the research that shows the numerous ways in which families most marginalized by systemic and institutional racism and bias are thrust into the family surveillance and legal system via interactions with the medical system. We will then use poll everywhere, or other interactive application, to discuss cases that involve abortion, miscarriage, mandated reporting, and child abuse workups to give participants an opportunity to learn about harm reduction techniques to ensure we, as medical professionals, mitigate and disrupt this pipeline to family surveillance and law enforcement in our patients’ lives. Until we stop our harmful practices of reporting under the guise of “protecting our patients,” reproductive justice will never be possible. Families will not have the opportunity to have children, not have children, or raise the children they have in safe and sustainable communities. We have the power, as medical students, residents, and doctors to disrupt these harmful practices.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health concern for people across all gender identities and sexual orientations. This session will discuss strategies on LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sexual health and ways to reduce health disparities, especially in a visible anti-LGBTQ world.

HEART is a national nonprofit organization working to promote sexual health, uproot gendered violence, and advance reproductive justice by establishing choice and access for the most impacted Muslims. Our decade of work in this field has provided us with the space and opportunity to think about what Reproductive Justice means for the Muslims we serve. For us, Reproductive Justice (RJ) is inherent to how we live out our faith. We view Islam as not only compatible with, but essential to advancing reproductive justice in our communities. Despite the fact that family planning, access to contraception, and pregnancy loss and termination are daily realities for too many Muslims, these stories are often not captured for two reasons. First, the stigma associated with reproductive and sexual health within Muslim communities perpetuates a silence around these issues and isolates those navigating common reproductive health experiences. Second, mainstream services and information are not typically culturally-responsive to the unique needs of diverse Muslim communities. As such, in an era in which Muslims are hypervisible due to increased anti-Muslim rhetoric, their reproductive health experiences are virtually invisible. This workshop will provide an overview of the key reproductive justice issues that intersect with Muslim communities and offer an understanding of Islamic values such as Khilafah (MORAL AGENCY), Hurma (SACRED INVIOLABILITY), RIDHA (FULLNESS OF CHOICE), and RAHMA (COMPASSION) as they relate to our reproductive justice framework.

In many countries and in many under-privileged communities, adolescent pregnancy remains a dire social challenge. Where access to safe abortion care is restricted, this challenge is amplified many times over. In such settings, an unintended adolescent pregnancy can mean a ruined future. Despite this, contraceptive use among adolescents as well as the contraceptive offerings for adolescents remain tied to out-of-date thinking in many countries. Short-term methods and Emergency contraceptive use remains high among adolescents. In a Post-Roe world, we have a responsibility to guide adolescents towards methods that will be protect them better. This session looks at the evidence on what methods are best for adolescents and why.

Bayer cordially invites you to attend a Virtual IUD Educational Program facilitated by a Bayer Medical Educator. This educational program will review clinical information and placement steps for Mirena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 52mg, Kyleena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 19.5mg, and Skyla® (Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 13.5mg and is intended for US participants. Materials that can be used during the program will be mailed to enrolled participants.

Join abortion providers as they share their stories in an informal dialogue. Hear why they chose to provide abortion as part of their practice; where they practice; what they find meaningful and rewarding about their work; what is challenging about their work; and if they have been harassed or targeted by anti-choice groups/individuals and how they deal with it.

The causes of health-related social needs are rooted in the structural determinants of health, encompassing socio-economic, political, and environmental factors at regional and national levels. To bring about change at the structural level, more than 500 hospitals have actively promoted voting through Vot-ER’s hospital-based voter access resources. This session aims to provide the rationale behind positioning the health sector as a key driver of civic engagement and voter registration. Participants will gain insights into how voting positively impacts health outcomes, with a focus on the specific implications for those in roles related to reproductive health, family planning, or abortion services. This session will highlight Vot-ER’s resources designed to promote voter access in healthcare centers, and attendees will have the opportunity to explore various avenues for integrating civic engagement into their practice as well as an opportunity to order their own FREE, MSFC x Vot-ER badge.

In spite of the Dobbs decision, people continue to have unwanted pregnancies and to seek ways to have abortions. Prior to Roe, women with unwanted pregnancies who could not find a skilled provider had few safe options. The advent of abortion pills has totally changed the landscape as people obtain abortion pills outside of the clinical setting. What is the role of doctors and other clinicians in this new landscape? How can healthcare providers mitigate the potential criminalization of those who choose to source abortion pills on their own? How prevalent is self-managed abortion (SMA) with pills? How are people self-sourcing abortion pills? Is the practice safe? This workshop will share what we know about the prevalence of SMA in the USA, the international context for the practice, how to support and not criminalize patients who present after SMA and will encourage a discussion of what participants think about women taking abortion into their own hands.

The Medicaid sterilization consent form is a source of mystery and confusion but a required element for many patients seeking permanent contraception. Studies have shown barriers at every level including providers, institutions, and Medicaid officers. This session will bust those myths, provide clear guidance on using the form, and review advocacy efforts, especially in a post-Dobbs world.

Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) is a safe and easy method of providing early surgical abortion. It is also used for miscarriage management, treatment of failed medical abortion, or endometrial biopsy. MVA provides a low-tech alternative to electric vacuum aspiration that is gentler, quieter and used throughout the world in low resource settings. The session provides a hands-on learning opportunity using papayas as a uterine model.

Join abortion providers as they share their stories in an informal dialogue. Hear why they chose to provide abortion as part of their practice; where they practice; what they find meaningful and rewarding about their work; what is challenging about their work; and if they have been harassed or targeted by anti-choice groups/individuals and how they deal with it.

Trainees are often instructed to “talk the patient through” the abortion procedure, but they rarely receive deliberate teaching about how to do this. Yet trust must be the foundation of a positive abortion encounter, and thus the use of accurate, intentional language is critical. Phrases like “a little pinch here” and “you’ll feel some cramping now” often FEEL inadequate because they ARE inadequate. When a patient experiences sensations other than what she is told to expect, she may feel confused, misled, manipulated or betrayed. In this session, we will walk through accurate, intentional, step-by-step language with which to prepare the patient for and verbally guide them through the procedure. We will also touch on language pearls for other types of reproductive health encounters (IUD placement, medication abortion, and the pelvic exam more generally). Under the guidance of an experienced abortion provider and reproductive health educator, participants will discuss, brainstorm, script, and debate which words to use and why, and they will learn a framework for accurate, empathic communication in any exam setting.

Pregnant people face barriers to accessing the full range of quality, culturally appropriate, care throughout the spectrum of decisions they may make about their pregnancies and birth. There is historical context for the reproductive health disparities we see that is key to understanding why we must examine our institutional policies and programs to identify and dismantle oppressive systems contributing to inequitable distribution of risk and harm to marginalized communities. We can provide the most excellent tools for healthcare delivery that will never matter to people who cannot access healthcare or feel empowered to advocate for health care provision that truly meets their needs.

The abortion law in Malawi is restrictive. It only allows for pregnancy termination to save the pregnant person’s life. Any other season is punishable by law. In 2010, initiatives to change the law and broaden the justifications for abortion were launched. In 2012, a special law commission was established, and its report was made public in 2015. There was massive opposition and efforts to have the abortion bill tabled were frustrated. After 13 years, there is still no indication that the law will be changed any time soon. Unsafe abortion is one of Malawi’s top five causes of maternal mortality. The main objectives are to discuss the road to changing Malawi’s abortion laws, along with the lessons that were learned and the initiatives being taken to remedy the current state of onerous laws and prevent maternal deaths due to unsafe abortions in Malawi. It is expected that by the end of the session, participants would have engaged on issues of restrictive laws and alternatives to law reform efforts that can be done to reduce the harm of unsafe abortions.

The capacity to identify, manage, and cultivate the range of talent and abilities represented by Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine (URiMs) in the family planning community is a measure of inclusion. Intersectional identities can be developed into professional assets; the process, policies, and practices pertaining to intersectionality improve the institutional environment necessary for a sense of belonging, especially for URiMs. Towards generating a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve, skills in cultivating equitable mentorship relationships along the pipeline into leadership are critical. These skills have relevance to mentorship in medical, research, and advocacy spaces. Many approach mentorship with a narrow set of tools that often lack appreciation for diverse backgrounds and experiences that enhance our approach to the work. These behaviors are learned from the start of the career path, and therefore become normative. However, they can cause unintentional harm and contribute to the lack of representation and therefore deserve scrutiny, discussion, and novel strategies to recognize and relearn inclusive and intersectional practices. We will describe an intersectional mentoring model, with a focus on the mentee perspective, that is intentionally nonhierarchical and organized using concepts such as cognitive diversity, implicit bias, and agency in decision-making in professional life and workspaces. We will discuss skills that mentees can utilize to navigate mentorship relationships toward the goal of advancing equity in reproductive health, and pathways to leadership. We will facilitate a virtual space to discuss frameworks that improve racially conscious communication and analysis, inclusion, and belongingl.

This session will focus on those who are at greatest risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity from a subsequent unplanned or short interval pregnancy and the interventions to increase contraceptive uptake in the postpartum period. Populations at highest risk of maternal or neonatal morbidity – those with a history of preterm birth or those with complex medical conditions – are also those at the highest risk for unintended pregnancies attributed to low-efficacy contraceptive failure/ non-contraceptive use, and many are discharged from birth hospitalization without understanding the importance of birth spacing related to their high-risk pregnancies.

Do you carry internal bias against pregnant people who use drugs? The answer is, “Yes, we all do.” The goal of this session is to check the facts and develop a clearer understanding of the research and heart behind approaching pregnancy and substance use with harm reduction principles. Reproductive autonomy includes the right to continue to use substances when pregnant as well as the right to receive care without stigma. Questions we will ask (and hopefully answer in this conversation include: What does it truly mean to “meet someone where they’re at?”; What evidence do we have of how various substances affect developing fetuses?; What does/should prenatal/postpartum/peripartum care look like?; How do we advocate for the most vulnerable pregnant people in a society where pregnant people are systematically oppressed? To explore these questions, we will engage in case examples and an open conversation with minimal didactic content. Additional resources will be provided for further study.

Achieving maternal mortality reduction in low-resource countries remains a major challenge. Despite recent efforts, sub-Saharan Africa continues to grapple with alarmingly high maternal mortality rates. Postpartum complications afflict numerous women of reproductive age, calling for a collective effort from health workers to eradicate these preventable tragedies. Unsafe abortions stand out as the primary cause of this crisis, contributing to 7-9% of daily maternal mortality events in Uganda and other sub-Saharan African countries. However, the majority of maternal deaths can be averted through cost-effective interventions. To address this challenge, it is crucial to establish multidisciplinary teams comprising health workers and physicians. These teams will spearhead efforts to enhance the coverage and quality of emergency obstetrics care. Furthermore, these dedicated professionals will serve as influential advocates, shaping the model of care within healthcare centers, hospitals, and pharmacies. By advocating for change, they will foster an environment conducive to providing comprehensive care and establish the necessary infrastructure to reach even the most remote communities. Join us in this session where we delve into the vital role of physician and health worker partnerships in preventing maternal mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. Together we can save lives and pave the way for a future where every woman receives the care she deserves.

Premature ovarian insufficiency/failure is an insidious disease that often goes unrecognized and untreated, with major health consequences. Although considered rare by the medical community, in fact conservative estimates suggest it affects 1 in 100 women. The vast majority of patients are offered grossly substandard care, given minimal education, and are almost never screened appropriately for associated conditions, putting them at increased risk for many problems including sexual dysfunction, heart disease, cognitive dysfunction, and osteoporosis. This session aims to dissolve misconceptions about the disease and provide a primer on premature ovarian insufficiency and its management.