March 10th marks the fourth annual National Day of Appreciation for Abortion
Providers. Initiated in 1996, the purpose is to create a positive climate
for abortion providers. This date was chosen to commemorate the anniversary
of the death of Dr. David Gunn, the first physician to be murdered by an
anti-abortion extremist, and to honor all abortion providers for their
dedication to women. On this day, we want to publicly thank our local
providers for their heroism, perseverance, and commitment to women in the
face of terrorist acts of violence and constant harassment.
Abortion is one of the most common outpatient surgical procedures among U.S.
women. Each year, over a million women have abortions. Despite this need,
there is a severe shortage of doctors willing to provide abortions: 86% of
U.S. and 96% of Texas counties do not have a single abortion provider.
Doctors emerging from medical schools and residency programs are not being
trained in the procedure. Only 12% of U.S. ob-gyn residency programs
require routine training in first-trimester abortions. Abortion is more
than a political controversy -- it is a critical public health issue and
medical procedure and must be included as a standard part of medical
education.
As members of Medical Students for Choice, we are working to change the
statistics. Prior to the 1973 Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision, the #1
cause of maternal death in the United States was from self-induced abortion.
Our group is dedicated to ensuring that the next generation of physicians
will be able to provide women with the full range of reproductive health
services, including access to safe abortion care. We want to ensure that
the memories of the last generation -- of botched, self-induced abortions --
do not become the reality of the next generation.
Matt Romberg
West Texas Medical Students for Choice
Lubbock, TX
