The O+G Advocates

Join The Advocates in a conversation with Jordan Zaslow, founder and Executive Director of Her Bold Move. The mission of Her Bold Move is to use media campaigns to elect unapologetically pro-choice women to political seats that have traditionally been dominated by anti-choice men. The COVID pandemic provided an opportunity to those in the media and entertainment industries to donate resources towa...

It's been a minute, but the OG Advocates are back with a new episode! Friend of the pod, Becca Hart Holder, is back to break down the journey we have been on with Mifepristone...and what potentially comes next. It's important to remember that Mifepristone is incredibly safe and efforts to restrict access to it is in no way based in science. Take a listen, leave a comment, share with a frie...

In the last episode of 2022, The O+G Advocates talk with Christine Clarke, a civil rights and constitutional lawyer currently at Reavis Page Jump LLP in New York City.  Until this past January, she worked at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, representing Planned Parenthood affiliates in litigation around the country fighting to preserve abortion access.  In Mid-November 2022, sev...

More than ever before, patients are seeking out OB/GYNs and requesting permanent contraception in huge numbers. There are Reddit lists and social media posts with lists of physicians who will help. So why are people asking for permanent contraception now? And what is the evidence to support the surgeons doing the procedures? The Advocates are joined by Dr. Nikki Zite, an OB/GYN in Tennessee and fo...

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and our guest is an expert on this subject, both personally and professionally. Dr. Julie Bindeman, a reproductive psychologist and reproductive rights advocate, joins The Advocates in a discussion of abortion in the context of individual perspective, societal compassion, and making healthcare decisions out of love. Find Dr. Bindeman on Twitter...

We are joined by Bea Soderholm, DO and Raiven Owusu, both in Indiana, to discuss about how learners are dealing with the impending abortion ban. As a chief resident and fourth year medical student, they are both at a decision point in their career. Hear how abortion impacts their next steps in their career and why staying involved in abortion care is so important. Indiana implements a total aborti...

Abortion existed before Roe and will certainly continue after the Dobbs decision. In this episode, the Advocates welcome The Bad Old Days Posse. This group of women had illegal abortions or helped friends get illegal abortions in the 1960s, worked to get Roe passed, and are still working to ensure access to abortion today.   These stories from the past reflect the desperation of people seekin...

The Advocates share their reactions to SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade , both in their own states and in our country. Later in the episode, they are joined by Dr. Henry Klapholz, a professor emeritus OB/GYN who lived and worked through pre-Roe years. We discuss the dangers of the pre-Roe era, what complications we should worry about now that abortion is prohibited in many places, as well a...

The O+G Advocates welcome Jennifer Villavicencio, MD, MPP to discuss the intersection of racism and the anti-abortion movement. As the country prepares for the SCOTUS decision on Dobbs v Jackson, which will likely overturn the federally protected right to abortion, Dr. Villvicencio discussed how we got here in history and why abortion restriction is born out of racism. Tune in to hear the predicti...

The O+G Advocates react to the leaked SCOTUS Opinion, along with Drs. Caitlin Bernard, Luu Ireland, and Tracey Wilkinson. These abortion activists discuss the implication of overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion, and talk honestly about how frustrated and angry they are at this juncture. We come together in community, not only to grieve this impact on our pati...

In this episode, the O+G Advocates speak with two fourth-year medical school students regarding their experience interviewing for OBGYN Residency Spots. OBGYN has become a coveted field in the last 10 years, with 20% of US MD Medical seniors failing to match into the specialty. They take us through their experience, the stresses of applying to a highly competitive specialty during the time of COVI...

ACOG members will recognize the name and impact of this episode's guest! The Advocates welcome Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward and former Chief Legal Counsel at ACOG. Skye talks about the recent decision on mifepristone administration, the legal ramifications of changing abortion legislation across the country, and challenges physicians to rise to the challenge of defend...

In our first episode of 2022, The O+G Advocates speak with Dr. Minako Watabe about her advocacy work related to occupational toxin exposure for pregnant farm workers. This is a great continuation of our discussion with Dr. DeNicola on the critical interaction between environment and health for our patients. You won't want to miss this one! CHAMACOS Study https://cerch.berkeley.edu/research-program...

In this episode, the O+G Advocates speak with Dr. Louise King MD, JD, a fellow OB/GYN, and fearless women’s health advocate. Dr. King discusses the double discrimination in gynecologic surgery and how it negatively impacts patient outcomes. She touches on the historical influences that created a system in which women’s health care is not valued which in turn drives the lower rate in reimbursement...

We are thrilled to announce the newest O+G Advocate Podcaster, Dr. Talia Coney.  Talia is an Ob/Gyn practicing in the Southwest serving an underserved population.  Get to know her and here what's been on our mind. Spoiler alert: A LOT! Follow Dr. Coney on Twitter @TaliaConeyMD

How did Texas past the most restrictive anti-abortion law in the country?  What reason did the Supreme Court give for not intervening?  How is this law different and how do we challenge it?  It's enough to make your head spin!  Thankfully, The Advocates talk to Texas lawyer Blake Rocap to break it ALL down for us.   Blake has worked in or with the Texas Legislature since 2...

The Advocates talk with Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi, a champion of reproductive health and justice and an abortion provider in Texas.  Dr. Moayedi talks about what it has been like being a provider in Texas since SB8 became law, the tireless work leading up to the enactment of this law, and what comes next. Action Items:   Advocate for the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA). WHPA is federal l...

In this episode, the Advocates speak with Dr. Nate DeNicola about how environmental justice and toxic exposures intersect with reproductive health. You will not want to miss learning how you can advocate for a healthier environment to ensure healthier lives. Follow Dr. Nate DeNicola on twitter @NDeNicolaMD Read Dr. DeNicola’s JAMA paper “Association of Air Pollution and Heat Exposure with Preterm...

In this episode, The O+G Advocates speak with Dr. Hannah Locke, Director of Gynecology for the Eskenazi Transgender Health and Wellness Center at Indiana University, about being an advocate for transgender and non-binary folx. We discuss what it takes to provide this care and the importance of doing so. Follow Dr. Locke: Instagram: @drhannahlocke Twitter: @drhannahlocke Mentioned in the Episode: W...

On Monday, May 17th, 2021 The Supreme Court of the United States announced they would hear a case out of Mississippi.  This case arises from a law that bans nearly all abortions after 15 weeks, putting a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade.  This is also the first abortion case that will be heard after the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barre...

In this episode The Advocates chat with Kipp Lanham, the Manager for the Advocacy Mission Market with the March of Dimes . The March of Dimes started in 1938 by President Roosevelt to address the polio epidemic. In present day, the organization is a true advocacy powerhouse: focusing on efforts to end preventable preterm birth and infant death, reduce alarming rates of maternal mortality and morbi...

In this episode, The O+G Advocates discuss their experiences working with various advocacy organizations, including American Medical Association, Planned Parenthood Action, Physicians for Reproductive Health, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The Advocates discuss how these organizations provide support, structure, and training in how to be an effective physician advocat...

In this episode, The O+G Advocates interview Dr. Kristin Lyerly, a practicing Ob/Gyn Specialist, who shares her experience running for Wisconsin State Assembly. We discuss the process and impact of running for office as a physician advocate.  Dr. Lyerly shares her journey, lessons learned, and hopes for the future. We promise you will be ready to submit your signatures to get on the ballot af...

In this episode, The O+G Advocates introduce themselves and explain what brought them to advocacy. They will also review some of the policies of the prior administration (Domestic and Global Gag Rule, REMS Changes for Mifepristone, and many others) as well as their hopes for reproductive health policy in the Biden/Harris Administration.

In this episode, The O+G Advocates review different ways to participate in legislative advocacy, including key pointers and common pitfalls. The Advocates are joined by U.S. Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), who explains what makes a great pitch from his side of the table. You can also hear about Congressman Kennedy's new community organizing effort, The Groundwork Project .