283 Missouri medical professionals: Restricting abortion care is wrong and un-American | Opinion

We are physicians and other health care professionals in Missouri who are gravely concerned for the well-being of our patients. With the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and the enactment of Missouri’s trigger ban, which made nearly all abortion care illegal, it has become painfully clear that women in Missouri have lost their bodily autonomy, basic human rights and access to lifesaving medical care.

We stand steadfast in our support of the sanctity and privacy of the relationship that patients have with their physicians and other health care providers. The decision to perform an abortion should be left solely to the patient and a health care professional. What defines and necessitates abortion is nuanced, and no explanation should be required. Doctors are guided by evidence-based medicine and are bound by the commitment to do no harm.

A government that takes away the freedom of people to access critical medical care that directly leads to the illness and death of countless people, and that threatens health care providers with criminal penalties for upholding their professional obligations, is un-American.

As physicians and health care professionals of many specialties, we are calling on Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and all elected and appointed government officials in the state to protect lives by recognizing and upholding the right to access abortion care in Missouri, and demand that Missouri’s H.B. 126, the trigger ban, and all restrictions on abortion care be repealed.

We ask that our public officials support reproductive autonomy and respect our basic rights to live our lives free from government intrusion into this most personal and private realm.

Where these government officials fail to act, we call on all health care professionals to uphold their duty to their patients to organize and gather political support for laws and initiatives that protect personal bodily autonomy for all Missourians.

In solidarity,

MO Healthcare Professionals for Reproductive Rights

Jennifer Smith, MD, OBGYN; Lisa Alderson, MD, Cardiology; Michelle Lee, MD, Radiology, Diagnostic; Vicky Fraser, MD, Internal Medicine; Leah Glass, DO, OBGYN; Lisa Ryan, MD, Pediatrics; Jacob Klein, MD, OBGYN; David Weinstein, MD, OBGYN; Diane Rosen, DO, OBGYN; Gretchen Levey, MD, OBGYN; Archna Calfee, MD, Pediatrics; David Rosen MD/PhD Pediatric Infectious Disease; Ed Weisbart MD, Family Medicine; Harley Hammerman, MD, Diagnostic Radiology; Robyn Jacobs, MD, Internal Medicine/Nephrology; Juliana Verticchio, MD, OBGYN; Cherese Collins, MD OBGYN; Christi Menges, MD OBGYN; Sarah Mermelstein, MD Adolescent Medicine; Nikoleta Kolovos, MD Pediatric Critical Care; Pat McLaughlin, RN; Julia Hoven, WHNP; Kim Novack, RN; Rakhee Bhayani, MD, Internal Medicine; Alex Young, MD, Anesthesia; Nicole Durko, DO, Anesthesia; Andrea Hagemann, MD, Gynecology Oncology; Patrick Fahey, MD, Internal Medicine, Pulmonary; Susan O’Donnell, MD, Internal Medicine, Pulmonary-Critical Care; Amanda Heidemann, MD, Family Practice; Stephanie Zwicker, MD, Allergy; Libby Williams, MD, Urology; Michelle Rubin, Med, LPC, Trauma and Grief; Daniel Jasper, MD, Internal Medicine; Julia Hoffman, MD, OBGYN; Dawn Weinstock, RN BSN, Neurosurgery; Sally King, LCSW, LMFT, Individual, couple and family therapy; Shellie Fidell, MSW LCSW, Reproductive Mental Health; Haley Herbeck, RN, BSN, Labor and Delivery; Kaetlyn Macauley, BSN RN, Obstetrics; Shayna Warner, MSW, LCSW, Adult Psychotherapist; Kirsten Settle, RN, Emergency medicine, labor and delivery; Debbie Bennett, MD, Radiology; Marlene Hammerman, MSW; Gary Meltz, MD, FACP, Internal Medicine; Violet Klenov, OBGYN, REI; Caitlin Bley, nurse midwife and NP; Maureen Schulte MD, OBGYN; Jen Bernstein, MSW; Kelly Hilker, BSN, RN; Stephanie Miller, BSN, WHNP-BC, OBGYN; Julie Taylor, BSN, MSN, OBGYN; Sharon Vermont, MD, FAAP, Pediatrics; Denise Meckler, MD, OBGYN; Anna Barton, WHNP-BC, Women’s Health; Samantha Syrett, PA, OBGYN/Psychiatry; Elizabeth Collum, NCCPA, PA-C, Family Medicine; Meera Patel, MD, OBGYN; Mackenzie Jones, BSN, RN, Labor and Delivery; Nikki Rauner, MSW, LCSW; Katherine Kreusser, MD, Pediatrics; Lara Fuchs, MD, Psychiatry; Jean Wang, MD, PhD, Gastroenterology; Vinita Alexander, MD, OBGYN; Randi Becker MD, Family and Emergency Medicine; Rania Farhat, MD, Pulmonary and Critical Care; Katherine Jones-Grady, DO, OBGYN; Alexis Bouras, MPAS, PA-C, OBGYN; Mary Gardner, RN, BSN, ACLS, BLS, PALS, CAPA, Peri-Operative nursing; Joan Schieber, MD, OBGYN; Anitha Varghese, PA-C, Radiology; Madelyn Tegerdine, PA-C, RN, Cardiac Surgery; Erica Banes, MSN, WHNP, OBGYN; Elizabeth Noonan, MD, FAAP, Pediatrics; Liza Siegel, MD, Pediatric Dermatology, Pediatrics; Laura Mueller, MD, OBGYN; Mi Vo, MD, ABIM, ABOM, Internal and Obesity Medicine; Alysa Ellis, MD, Pediatrics, Allergy and Immunology; Lydia Assioun, Internal Medicine, Hospitalist; Anu French, MD, Pediatrics; Valerie French, MD, MAS, OBGYN; Amy Mosman, MMS, PA-C, Internal Medicine, Nephrology; MaryBeth Huber, MD, Anesthesiology; Alison Bedell, MD, FAAP, Pediatrics; Ceara Barmeier, PA-C, Internal Medicine; Deana Mikhalkova, MD, Cardiology; Katherine Coates, PA-C, Infectious Disease, Dermatology; James Jenkins, MD, Retired Anesthesiology; Margaretta Mendenhall, MD, OBGYN; Kristin Streiler, MD, Pediatrics; PhD, Licensed Psychologist, Brandi Morrison, DO, Pediatrics; Urvi Patel, MD, Dermatology; Noushin Ansari, MD, Family Medicine, Neurology; Thuylinh Pham, MD, Pediatrics; Lina Patel, MD, Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Christie Pickrell, MD, Emergency Medicine; Alyssa Wait, MD, FASCRS, Colorectal surgery; Neha Mehta-Shah, MD, Medical Oncology; Farheen Raja, MD, Ophthalmology; Rachel Dickerson, MD, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics; Michael Bennett, MD, Gastroenterology; Jessie Davis, MD, Family Medicine; Adriana Cañas-Polesel, MD, OBGYN; Noor Riaz, MD, MPH, Pediatrics; Kerry Will, MD, Internal Medicine, Hospice; Claudia Krasnoff, MD, OBGYN; Chandra Wiewel, MD, Family Medicine; Lauren Gregory, MD, Pediatrics; Cary Siegel, MD, Radiology; Monica Drylewicz, MD, PhD, Diagnostic Radiology; Zahra Hassan, MD, Internal Medicine; Maureen Boyle, MD, OBGYN; Martin Gregory, MD, Gastroenterology; Laura Parisi, MD, OBGYN; Evanne Ihnken, MMS, PA-C, Neurosurgery; Theodore Kremer, MD, Pediatrics; Courtney Andrus, PA-C, Pediatrics; Alex Plattner, MD, MBA, Pediatric Infectious Diseases; Alison Oswald, MD, Pediatrics; Stephen Cliff, DO, Pediatric Pulmonary; Erin Casey, MD, Primary Care Pediatrics; Jerome Molleston, MD, PhD, Pediatric Gastroenterology; Thomas Greaves, MD, OBGYN; Jina McAtee, MD, Pediatrics; Heather Morgan, DO, Family Medicine; Elizabeth Harrison, MD, Pediatrics; Melissa Whitson, DO, Pediatrics; Dawn Miller, BSN, RN, Labor and Delivery and Podiatry; Chava Weiman, RN, OB; Lance Peterson, MD, PhD, Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology; Jennifer M. Dunn, MD, Pediatrics; Tracy Cope, RN, MSN, CPNP, Pediatric Primary Care, Pediatric Urgent Care; Emily Rodgers, DO, Psychiatry; Scott Roos, MD, FAAFP, Family Medicine; Jenny Miele, MD, Pediatrics; Toniya Singh, MD, Cardiology; Philip Abraham, MD, Pediatrics; Gregory Finn, MD, Pediatrics; Mia Henderson, MD, PhD, Pediatrics; Sarah Greene, MD, Pediatrics; Betsy Wickstrom, MD, FACOG, Maternal Fetal Medicine; Hayley Wurzel, MD, Pediatrics; Michelle Martin, RN, CPNP-PC, Pediatrics Primary Care; Denise Dow, BSN, MSN AGPCNP-BC, Oncology; Becky Lynn, MD, MBA, Menopause, Obesity Medicine, Sexual Medicine; Brenda Hall, BSN,RN, Oncology, Neurosurgery; Megan DeSpain, DO, Emergency Medicine; Katherine Weilbaecher, MD, Breast Cancer, Internal Medicine; Anna Grodzinsky, MD, MSc, Cardiology; Laura Schmidt, MD, Cardiology; Karen L Florio, DO, MPH, Cardio-Obstetrics, Pre-eclampsia, Maternal-Fetal Medicine; Emily Williams, MD, OBGYN, MFM; Sharon Jick, MD, Ophthalmology; MaryJo Hernandez-Zipfel, MD, Pediatrics; Valerie Rader, MD, Cardiology; Padmini Prabhu, PA-C, BPT, MBA, Clinical Psychology; Katherine Kramer, BSN, Endoscopy; Sue Matlof, RN, BS, Pediatrics; Emily Schindler, MD, PhD, Pathology; Kenan Omurtag, MD, OBGYN, REI; Margaret Baum, MD, OBGYN; Andrea Orr, MD, Pediatrics; Jesus Jimenez, MD, PhD, Cardiology; Jennifer Hillman, MD, MS, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine; Elizabeth Marsicano, MD, Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology; Edward Levy, MD, OBGYN, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery; Jane Roodman Weiss, RN, BSN, Oncology; Denise Willers, MD, OBGYN; William Parks, Emergency Medicine; Kavita Krell, University of Missouri chapter of Medical Students for Choice; Gabriella Thornton, Med Student; Shilpa Thornton, MD, Ophthalmology; Dianna Fine, M.Ed, LPC, Mental Health Counseling, Trauma Resolution; Lindsey Noles, BSN, RN, Medical Surgical; Linda Tsai, Md, FACS, Ophthalmology; Patricia Lupu, Med Student; Jocelyn Ihnat, Med Student; Lauren Henry, Med Student; Lizzie Cremer, Med Student; Kate McGough, Med Student; Kostandin Valle, Med Student; Edward Van Matre, PharmD, MS, BCCCP; Ria Shahapeti, RA; Mollie Henry, Med Student; Lauren Flowers, Med Student; Casey Fogarty, Med Student; Suryanshi Rawat, Med Student; Abdul-Rahman Abdul-Kafi, Med Student; Meridith Schoening, Med Student; Eben Eno, MD, Cardiology; Pranav Suri, Med Student; Jordan Beveridge, Med Student; Mitchell Botney, MD, Pulmonary and Critical Care; Devon Cruzan, Med Student; Anne Marker, Med Student; Jadee Wagner, Med Student; Emily Schaff, Med Student; Marc Bernstein, MD, Gastroenterology, Hepatology; Maya Ramachandran, Med Student; Brooklyn Campbell, Med Student; Margie Rempe, MD, OBGYN; Kathryn Botney, MD, OBGYN; David L. Eisenberg, MD, MPH, OBGYN and Complex Family Planning; Courtney Kaar, MD, Pediatrics, Sleep Medicine; David Kantor, DO, Family Practice; Miranda Kaleel, Med Student; Julia Phillips, MD, OBGYN; Alejandra Alvarez Wilson, MD, OBGYN; Kyle O’Mara, Med Student; Kaylie Nichols, Med Student; Carlye Goldenberg, Med Student; Taylor Ramsaroop; IJ Singh, MD, Nephrology; Justin Pearre, Med Student; Deena Goran, Med Student; Jacob Lee, Med Student; Peggy Collins, RNFA, Obstetrics; Kelsey Rose Stayton, CNA, Labor and Delivery; Shelby Dickison, MD, OBGYN; Leanne DePalma, MD, Pediatrics; Bridget Huysman, MD, MPD, Clinical Fellow, Maternal-Fetal Medicine; Rebekah Greenspan, Med. Student; Heather Raznick, MSW, LCSW, Sexual Health; Pamela Woodard, MD, Radiology; Amanda Schilly, WHNP-BC, OBGYN; Nicole Shuert, MSN, WHNP, OBGYN; Elizabeth Laffey, MD, Family Practice; Bobbi Lakin, MD, ABFM, OBGYN; Treena Sturgeon, DO, Internal Medicine; Michael Donovan, MD, Family Medicine; Jacqueline Bergeron, RN, MSN, FNP-C, Family Medicine; Heather Savedra, MD, Internal Medicine; Angela Turpin, MD, Pediatric Endocrinology; Chris Thornton, MD, MBA, Diagnostic Radiology; Saivagmita Kantheti, Med Student; Anushka Kanga, Med Student; Anna Ruvinov, Med Student; Priyanka Kumar, Med Student; Shreya Katwala, Med Student; Priyanka Mahadev, Med Student; Sanjana Nallagatla, Med Student; Navin Amin, MD, Ophthalmology; Sruthi Sripada, Med Student; Lauren Roberts, Med Student; Megan Costello, Med Student; Maryam Naemi, DO, Family Medicine; Anne Hibbard, Family Medicine; Robert Hibbard, MD, Emergency Medicine; Karishma Kondapalli, Med Student; Madeline Glodowski, Med Student; Sarah Hemme, Med Student; Tanvi Karmarkar, Med Student; Cheryl Hemme, MD, Psychiatrist; Johanna Jeyaraj, Med Student; Dharti Patel, Med Student; Shelly Bhagat, Med Student; Rithika Ginjupalli, Med Student; Divya Minnaganti, Med Student; Naseem Nikaeen, MD FAAP, Pediatric; Ghausia Shah, Med Student; Laura Duckworth, MD, Pediatric Gastroenterology; Malavika Rajaram, Med Student; Sarah Jacober, Med Student; Emma Famous, Med Student; Natalie Abanathie, Med Student; Adela Plancarte, MSN, RN Pediatric Critical Care and Patient Safety Specialist; Rebecca Chibnall, MD, General and Vulvovaginal Dermatology; Najat Al-Sherri, MD, OBGYN; Jessica Gold, MD, MS Psychiatry; Ashley Segobiano, Med Student; Kara Sternhell-Blackwell, MD, Dermatology; Macie Sommer, Med Student; Elizabeth Fisher, RN, Pediatrics; Julie Hanak, RN, MSN, Clinical PI, Program Manager; Matthew Lindquist, DO, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Adult and Pediatric Obesity; Alexandra Roman, MD, Internal Medicine; Stefani Tica, Pediatric Gastroenterology; Maryam Baikpour, MD, OBGYN; Jessa Glick, BA, MSSW, LMSW, Advocacy, Development, Communications; Pat McLaughlin, RN, OB/Labor and Delivery; Leslie Fields, MD, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics; Lisa Silverman, RN, MSN, CPNP, Pediatrics; Ben Voss, Internal Medicine

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