- 2026 Conference on Family Planning
- Navigating Healthcare Deserts: Collaboration, Innovation, and Sustainability
- Baltimore, Maryland | December 5 – 6, 2026
- Registration opens on August 31, 2026
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to network with expert faculty, receive high-quality evidence-based clinical education not typically offered in medical school curricula, and enhance your technical skills with other pro-choice medical students and residents who are passionate about abortion care and family planning. Join us as we come together to address divides in reproductive health, equity, and justice through medical student education, training, and advocacy. This year’s conference will feature interactive and didactic sessions highlighting:
- Integrated health networks and community-based partnerships
- Telehealth and digital health equity
- Rural medicine
- Restrictions to abortion and contraceptive care access in the US
- Informed consent and trauma-informed, person-centered options counseling
- Medical student advocacy and organizing
- Global reproductive health disparities and abortion access.
Why Should I Attend?
- Hear from our keynote speaker – Rachael Lorenzo, Co-Executive Director, Indigenous Women Rising.
- Network with expert faculty and receive high-quality, evidence-based clinical education not typically offered in medical school curricula.
- Enhance your technical skills through interactive hands-on training simulations for Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) and Intrauterine Device (IUD) Placement.
- Share ideas and success stories as you engage with medical students from MSFC chapters in the US and globally.
- Connect with current abortion providers, residency programs, and pro-choice organizations at our speaker panels and exhibit tables.
- Join us for student poster presentations showcasing MSFC members’ and alums’ research in contraception, abortion care, and family planning.
- Complete the conference post-survey to submit a raffle entry to win special prizes.
Keynote Speaker
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Rachael Lorenzo (They/Them), Co-Executive Director, Indigenous Women Rising
Rachael Lorenzo (Mescalero Apache/Laguna Pueblo/Xicana) is a queer, nonbinary parent of two and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They were born in Las Cruces, New Mexico to young parents and were raised on their father’s ancestral land in Laguna, New Mexico. Rachael graduated with a BA in political science and a Masters in public administration, focusing on public health; both degrees are from the University of New Mexico. Rachael studied political campaigns, participated in policy analyses, and has been consulted for their expertise in public health policies that could impact Indigenous communities. Rachael was not only raised on traditional values but also on politics. Throughout their academic career, Rachael volunteered for political campaigns, ranging from city council elections to presidential campaigns. Rachael was selected as a fellow for President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, Obama For America (OFA). Currently, Rachael funds abortion through an Indigenous-led reproductive justice organization, Indigenous Women Rising, and serves as Assistant Commissioner of Cultural Resources at the New Mexico State Land Office. In their spare time, Rachael writes short stories and poems, is a photographer, and tries to adopt cats without their husband finding out.
Keynote Speech
Indigenous Innovation and Reproductive Sovereignty Are For Lovers (of Reproductive Health and Justice)
In a time where we are surrounded by overconsumption of products, news, and attacks on our families, it is more important than ever to look to Indigenous communities and our leadership for sustainability, values-based solutions rooted in local Indigenous people’s values, and to face our role in the harm. The innovation needed mustn’t be complicated and reproductive sovereignty is a framework we can look to, to guide us into the future using ancestral wisdom and relearning how to love each other through the conflict and fire. No one has all the answers but together, we can use our gifts to teach each other a lot.
Exhibitors
The exhibitor application period has closed. For inquiries, email meetings@msfc.org.
- Exhibitor application fee – $800 USD. Includes a 6 ft long skirted table with two chairs and complimentary conference registration for one exhibit table representative, including meals during the event.
- Each additional exhibit table representative – $200 USD. Includes meals during the event.
This year’s exhibitors include:
- Abortion Defense Network
- Advocates for Youth: AMAZE
- Desert Star Institute for Family Planning
- Hesperian Health Guides
- Ipas
- Medicines360
- Men4Choice
- National Abortion Federation/CASS
- Physicians for Reproductive Health
- Plan C
- rePROs Fight Back
- Repro TLC
- Reproductive Health Project, American Medical Student Association
- Ryan Residency Training Program and TEACH/RHEDI
Student Poster Presentations
The purpose of the student poster presentation session is to showcase qualitative and applied research in contraception, abortion care, and family planning and promote the vital work of MSFC chapter members and alumni in alignment with our mission.
This year’s student poster presentations include:
- A Qualitative Analysis of Abortion Content on Video-Based Social Media Platforms.
- Access in Action: The Impact of an Emergency Contraception Distribution Network in Central Texas.
- Anticipated Pain as a Predictor of Pain Management Selection for Intrauterine Device Placement.
- Contraceptive Access and Preferences among English and Spanish-speakers Considering Tubal Sterilization.
- Cost-Related Care Avoidance and Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling in the U.S., 2022–2023.
- Effects of Social Media Influence on Birth Control Perceptions.
- Exceptions in Name Only: Abortion Access Barriers for Sexual Assault Survivors After Dobbs.
- From Student Feedback to Curricular Change: Identifying Learner Priorities for Family Planning Education.
- Holding Space, Building Skills: A Pilot Evaluation of a Medical Student Abortion Doula Program.
- Immediate Postpartum Long-acting Reversible Contraceptive Initiation Before and After Dobbs.
- Medical Student Perceptions of Reproductive Health Education and Curriculum Needs.
- “Our Bodies Aren’t Ours”: Experiences Navigating Post-Dobbs Travel for Abortion Care.
- Patient Perceptions of Reproductive Healthcare Services at Catholic Hospitals.
- Preferences for Contraception Provision at Time of Termination of Pregnancy.
- Reproductive Health and Pregnancies: Women in Immigration Detention Center; A Qualitative Approach.
- Sovereignty Secures Rights: A Comparative Analysis of Native Reproductive Health in Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Poster Presentation Guidelines
- Poster displays will be limited to one side of a 3 feet by 4 feet tack board affixed to an easel. The recommended poster size is 3 feet by 4 feet (36 inches by 48 inches).
- The location of the student poster presentation session and set-up time will be provided as the event date approaches.
- Posters should include the abstract title, author and coauthor names, and the institution(s) where research is underway.
- It is recommended that you hand-carry your poster to the conference, using tubular packaging or a portfolio case. Costs associated with creating and shipping the poster display will be the responsibility of the authors. Pushpins or thumbtacks will be provided to mount your poster.
- The designated poster presenter (author or coauthor) must be present at the assigned space and available to discuss the research presented during the poster presentation session at the conference on Saturday December 5, 2026.
Conference Registration Fee
The registration period for the conference is currently open and will end on Monday, November 2, 2026. The link to register is located further down on this page. The registration link will be available on this web page. No late or on-site registration will be available. All conference registrants will be vetted for security purposes by MSFC staff and will receive a conference registration email once vetted (may take up to 5-7 business days). Email meetings@msfc.org for further information.
- International (non-US) Medical Students and Residents: $50 USD
- US Medical Students and Residents: $100 USD
- Advanced Practice Clinicians in Training (Includes Nursing, NP, PA, and CNM students): $150 USD
- MSFC Alumni and Other Guests: $200 USD
Conference registration includes complimentary meals during the event (breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday with VEGAN, GF, DF options available).
Medical Students Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM)
The raffle for complimentary conference registration for medical students who self-identify as underrepresented in medicine is now closed.
To sponsor a medical student underrepresented in medicine to attend the 2026 Conference on Family Planning, you may send donations here.
Student Volunteers
MSFC is no longer accepting applications for student volunteers for the 2026 Conference on Family Planning. All 25 student volunteer spots have been filled, and the waitlist is now closed.
Student volunteers assist with at least 2 sessions and receive complimentary conference registration for their participation. For any further inquiries, email meetings@msfc.org.
Travel and Lodging
The hotel is a 20-minute drive from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and is most easily accessible by:
- taxi or car ride service (~$35, depending on time, demand and service level). Upon arrival, proceed to the departures area (upper level), exit doors #5 or #13, and locate the designated outer curb pickup zone.
- Super Shuttle ($14 for shared ride Blue Van service, book in advance via the website). Upon arrival, proceed to the baggage claim area (lower level), exit doors #7 or #12, and locate the designated outer curb pickup zone.
- public transportation ($2.25, connect to Light Raillink northbound towards Hunt Valley and exit at Baltimore Arena (University City). Walk 3-4 mins northbound to hotel or take the Charm City Circulator (free shuttle) to St. Paul & Fayette St., then walk 2-3 mins southbound to hotel.
An MSFC room block is available at the hotel till Tuesday, November 6, 2026 with a guest room rate of $145/night (single to quad occupancy) plus applicable taxes. Each guest room has 2 queen-sized beds (sleeps up to 4) and includes a microwave and refrigerator. The room block reservation link will be made available to those who register for the conference.
Let us know if you need help finding a roommate for a shared guest room to help reduce your expenses!
Conference Schedule
All times listed in Eastern Standard Time (EST)
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Early Registration Check-in and Networking
7:00 am – 4:30 pm
Registration Room Open | Exhibit Tables Open
7:30 – 8:00 am
Student Volunteer Meeting
7:30 – 9:15 am
Buffet Breakfast and Networking
8:00 – 9:15 am
MSFC Welcome and Keynote Address – Rachael Lorenzo, Co-Executive Director, Indigenous Women Rising
9:15 – 9:30 am
Break
9:30 – 10:30 am | Concurrent Sessions (choose 1 of 4 options)
- Historical and Present-Day Harms of Mandatory Reporting
- The Pedagogy of Deception: Medical Mimicry and the Erasure of Informed Consent in Crisis Pregnancy Centers
- Supporting Community Provision of Abortion; The Clinician’s Role
- Healing Together: Bridging Health Equity and Reproductive Justice in Black Communities
10:30 – 10:45 am
Break
10:45 – 11:45 am | Concurrent Sessions (choose 1 of 4 options)
- Demystifying Telemab – Safe and Supported Care
- Shield Law Opportunities and Threats: Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care and Gender-Affirming Care in Health Care Deserts
- Providing All-Trimester Abortion Care is a Reproductive Justice Issue
- Beyond the Labels: What Abortion Providers Need to Understand About AAPI Women’s Attitudes on Criminalization, Culture, and Care
11:45 am – 12:00 pm
Break
12:00 – 1:45 pm
Buffet Lunch and Networking
12:30 – 1:45 pm
Plenary Session – More Than Medicine: The Many Roles of Physician Advocates – Physicians for Reproductive Health
1:45 – 2:00 pm
Break
2:00 – 3:00 pm | Concurrent Sessions (choose 1 of 4 options)
- Restrictions on Abortion Care in the US
- Enhancing Equity Through Innovative Service Delivery: Shield Law Provision of Medication Abortion Care Post-Dobbs
- Deserts in an Oasis: Complex Family Planning Education Access for Residents Training in Religiously Restrictive Institutions in Supportive States
- Prescribing Mifepristone and Misoprostol to Community Pharmacies – Everything You and Your Patients Need to Know
3:00 – 3:15 pm
Break
3:15 – 4:15 pm
MSFC Networking Reception – Student Poster Presentations
4:15 – 4:30 pm
Break
4:30 – 5:30 pm
Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) Hands-on Training Session *Limited enrollment, pre-registration required
5:30 – 5:45 pm
Break
5:45 – 6:45 pm
Intrauterine Device (IUD) Placement Hands-on Training Sessions (choose 1 of 2 options). *Limited enrollment, pre-registration required
- Bayer IUDs (Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla): Safety Overview
- The Liletta Levonorgestrel 52 mg IUD: An Overview and Hands-on Training
7:00 am – 2:00 pm
Registration Room Open | Exhibit Tables Open
7:30 – 9:15 am
Buffet Breakfast and Networking
8:00 – 9:15 am
Plenary Session – Fighting the Criminalization of Pregnancy Loss – If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
9:15 – 9:30 am
Break
9:30 – 10:30 am | Workshops (choose 1 of 4 options)
- Counseling for Choice: Skills Practice for Options Counseling Conversations
- Using Advocacy to Cultivate Oases in Healthcare Deserts
- Miscarriage and Abortion (M+A) Hotline Simulation
- The Art of Abortion Care: A Narrative Medicine Writing Workshop
10:30 – 10:45 am
Break
10:45 – 11:45 am | Provider Panel Sessions (choose 1 of 4 options)
- Abortion Training in Residency – Ryan Residency Training Program; TEACH/RHEDI
- Abortion Providers in Restrictive States
- Telehealth and Shield Law State Providers
- Traveling Abortion Providers
11:45 am – 12:00 pm
Break
12:00 – 1:30 pm
Buffet Lunch and Networking
12:30 – 1:00 pm
MSFC Chapter Success Stories
1:00 – 1:30 pm
MSFC Board Presidents’ Closing Address
You can read all the session descriptions here.



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MSFC Legal Disclaimer – It is MSFC’s intention to comply with all applicable laws and to promote training for abortion care that complies with all applicable laws. Please note, however, that the information provided during this training about lawful abortion care is for general informational purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute medical or legal advice. For legal advice concerning your personal circumstances or the legal status of abortion in your state, please consult an attorney. In addition, please note that links may be provided for third-party content, which we do not warrant, endorse, or assume liability for.