For many medical schools, a new school year has started, which means planning for MSFC events throughout the year is well underway. Hear from one of our chapters in an abortion-restricted state that has hosted a reproductive health care packaging event related to post-abortion care to learn how to host one on your campus.

Community outreach for an MSFC chapter in a state with restrictive legislation is uniquely challenging. Those seeking elective abortion care often remain under the radar, and students are unable to work with them in the hospital setting directly. However, we know that patients should and do access this care, and we are committed to addressing and eliminating the extensive barriers that exist regarding abortion care. In this blog post, we present an initiative that partners with out-of-state abortion clinics that serve your in-state patients: post-abortion care packages.

These care packages are designed for patients as they are traveling back home after an abortion. Their purpose is to address patients’ emotional and psychological needs after an abortion.

The first step is to find where patients in your state are referred to for elective abortion care. Then, you can reach out and partner with an out-of-state clinic, who may be able to pass out these care packages on-site. Packages can contain items like handwritten notes by MSFC members, heating pads, menstrual pads, electrolyte packets, tea, lotion, Plan B, ibuprofen, pregnancy tests, or whatever else your members think would be impactful! The assembly of these packages can be an MSFC event in which students put the items together and write notes while discussing the nuances of note-writing for a patient who may be experiencing a multitude of complex emotions. Similar initiatives have been organized by Planned Parenthood and clinicians at Duke University Medical Center.

This past year has seen profound changes in the landscape of women’s health, abortion, and equity. This care package initiative can serve as a powerful model for medical student advocacy in restrictive states and has the potential to help patients navigate increasingly difficult terrain. MSFC encourages students in restrictive states to serve patients seeking abortions out-of-state through initiatives like these.

Note: MSFC has $150 per semester allocated to each chapter, called the Student Activism Fund. This initiative could be an excellent opportunity to use this funding!