MSFC Update - February 2005

Save The Date!

MSFC’S 12TH ANNUAL MEETING

MSFC’s 12th Annual Meeting, “Paths to Abortion Practice: Patient Care Issues in Reproductive Health,” will take place on March 5-6, 2005 in Philadelphia, PA. The meeting is open to medical students, residents, and other health-professionals-in-training..

For more information about the Annual Meeting, see our website at www.ms4c.org, or contact Jen Gall at jen@ms4c.org. The pre-registration deadline has passed, but on-site registration is available.

MARCH 10, 2005, WILL MARK THE 10TH ANNUAL NATIONAL DAY OF APPRECIATION FOR ABORTION PROVIDERS (NDAAP).
NDAAP was initiated in 1996 to create a positive climate for providers across the U.S. Abortion providers will only be safe from violence when there are thousands of physicians willing and able to provide their patients with a full range of reproductive options, and when there are thousands of people publicly supporting their work. NDAAP is an opportunity for pro-choice activists to stand together and say thank you to the doctors and clinic staff who provide women with safe, necessary, and legal medical services. It is also a day that encourages solidarity for reproductive rights and counteracts anti-choice campaigns that stigmatize women who obtain, and physicians who provide abortions.

MSFC is providing NDAAP organizing kits to each school group, and we’d like to encourage school groups to join thousands of activists across the country as they commemorate this important day. For more information, or to request an organizing kit, please contact Jessica at msfc@ms4c.org.

ATTENTION SCHOOL COORDINATORS: APRIL 4, 2005 is the deadline for getting School Coordinator reports to the National Office. Contact Jessica at msfc@ms4c.org for more information.

APRIL 4, 2005 is the deadline for STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC) APPLICATIONS.
The SAC consists of Regional and National Coordinators, and the Osteopathic Representative to the SAC. The SAC
meets three times a year to evaluate current MSFC programs, discuss strategies for future grassroots activities, and provide program and grassroots organizing priorities for MSFC. Contact Jessica at msfc@ms4c.org for more information about available positions and for the application.

The National Office has been creating a clearinghouse of great speakers on a wide variety of reproductive health topics.
If you are looking for a speaker for a school group event, contact us at msfc@ms4c.org for suggestions.

In Recognition of Angel Foster:
Angel Foster, President of Medical Students for Choice from 2003 to 2004, has stepped down from our Board of Directors. During her almost three years on MSFC’s Board, Angel was an inspiration to all of us as she helped lead the organization in many new and exciting directions. Angel was the chief architect of MSFC’s Curriculum Mapping Project — a project that gave MSFC the information we needed to launch an aggressive curriculum reform program. Angel exemplified all the qualities that make MSFC such a dynamic organization — boundless energy, passion, and incredible achievement. She will be greatly missed.

Introducing MSFC’s New Staff
Yarrow Sandahl joined MSFC in early 2004 as AdministrativeCoordinator and is now our Programs and Evaluation Coordinator, supporting all our student organizing activities. Yarrow graduated from San Francisco State University and is a board member of the Young Non-Profit Professionals organization in the Bay area. Maggie Raife has filled her shoes as Administrative Coordinator. She graduated from Oberlin College in May and spent her final winter term as well as this past summer working for pro-choice organizations. Also new this past year is Julia Caplan who joined MSFC as our first Development Director. Julia’s background in fundraising has been primarily California-based so she’s excited about working with our bi-national network!

Other Dates to Remember!

NATIONAL TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION DAY
MAY 4, 2005

NATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK
MAY 8-14, 2005

MSFC’S 7TH ANNUAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM
JULY 29-31, 2005
DENVER, CO