 
Abortion Provider Expansion Project.
Of the many health-care challenges faced in Minnesota and the country,
one of the most pressing problems is the dwindling pool of physicians trained to provide
comprehensive reproductive health care services, particularly abortion services.
Currently abortion is one of the most sought after and safest surgical procedures
performed on women; however, health care professionals may receive little or no
exposure to abortion observation and education during their medical training.
The Abortion Provider Expansion Program (APEP) seeks to allay this problem by
facilitating the following training opportunities and providing support for
pro-choice medical students, nursing students, residents and physicians in all
specialties.
The Abortion Provider Expansion Program (APEP) is a collaborative program
between Pro-Choice Resources and NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota Foundation. The
primary goals of APEP are to: maintain and increase the number of abortion
providers in Minnesota and be proactive in the community with regard to evolving
reproductive health care issues. The Abortion Provider Expansion Project (APEP)
provides direct services to medical students, nursing students, residents, physicians,
and abortion clinic administrators throughout the state of Minnesota including
Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, and Duluth.
Education and training opportunities:
Abortion clinic shadowing experience:
A one-day opportunity to observe reproductive health services and abortion care.
Medical Students for Choice externship program:
An intensive program where participants observe the range of care offered
by women's reproductive health clinics. A $1,000 stipend is available for this program.
Summer research and clinical experience project:
In addition to the externship program describes above, participants complete a
research project specific to women's reproductive health. A $1,000 stipend
is also available for this program.
Patient escort training: Participants train to safely escort patients
into clinics through anti-choice protesters. Participants must agree to volunteer
to escort post-training.
HLHV small grant program:
Provides up to $400 in funding for initiatives focused on gender and racial
reproductive health disparities.
Mid-career physicians mentorship program: Connects current physicians,
from all specialties, with mentors/fellowship opportunities to become abortion
providers.
If you are a medical or nursing student, resident or
physician and would like to apply for any of the above programs please fill out
this application form.
Please also feel free to print out our APEP pamphlet to spread the
word about this exciting program.
Download a copy of the study “Motivation and Intent to Provide Abortion Services: The Impact of
Abortion Education and Training in an Ob/Gyn Residency Program.” here.
In addition to providing training opportunities, APEP offers the following:
Pro-choice lobbying tools
Arrange physician presentations specific to reproductive health
Focus groups on reproductive health training
Foster development of pro-choice student or medical organizations
Support pro-choice medical research
Present reproductive health information to small groups
Studies show that the women most impacted by provider
shortage are low-income and/or rural women. As such, this project serves women
of all ages, educational levels, racial and ethnic groups, social and economic
classes and religions who find it necessary to have an abortion when faced with
unintended pregnancy.
For more information about this program please contact Stacey at
staceyb@prochoiceminnesota.org or 651-602-7655.
Funding for this project is provided by The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation
and the Women's Foundation of Minnesota.
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