Abortion providers threatened
Dear Editor:
March 10 marked the 10th annual National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers. This date was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the murder of Dr. David Gunn by an anti-abortion extremist in March 1993. The day honors all the dedicated medical professionals who have continued to provide safe and legal abortion care for women in the face of terrorist acts of violence and constant harassment. Without their heroism, perseverance and commitment, true reproductive choice for women would not exist.
This year’s anniversary is especially poignant. Members of the reproductive health community are under increasing assault. A recent example is the Senate’s failure to adopt an amendment to hold anti-abortion extremists financially responsible when found guilty of acts of domestic terrorism against medical personnel. Sadly, without the recommended changes, guilty individuals are able to exploit bankruptcy protection laws to avoid paying court-ordered fines.
Other assaults are more insidious. Eighty-seven percent of U.S. counties do not have a single abortion provider. Nearly one-half of all physicians currently providing access services to women are approaching retirement age — and medical training programs across the nation are failing to address the shortage. Only 27 percent of U.S. OB/GYN residency programs require routine training in first-trimester procedures though they are one of the most common medical procedures.
As members of Medical Students for Choice and as future physicians, we recognize that abortion is more than a political controversy — it is a critical public health issue. Abortion procedural training must be included in medical education programs. Individuals who engage in illegal acts of intimidation and violence against health care professionals and their staff must not be allowed to escape accountability.
The National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers is a reminder to us all that preparing physicians to meet the needs of female patients should not be a political statement; it should be what good medical care is about.
— Matt Bengard
— Melissa Lorang
— Karrie Murphy
— Kathy Salari
— Courtney Summers
Medical Students for Choice, UCSD School of Medicine Chapter
Inauguration big day for chancellor
Dear Editor:
March 3 was a wonderful day for me, and I thank you most sincerely for your participation in my inauguration as the seventh chancellor of the University of California, San Diego. I am honored and humbled to lead this extraordinary institution and am extremely grateful for the uplifting ceremony and joyful campuswide celebration at RIMAC.
I cannot begin to thank all who worked so diligently, including the Inauguration Planning Committee and the many subcommittee members who worked out every detail, the esteemed faculty and community members who joined in the academic procession and the dedicated staff, students and student organizations who took time away from busy work and class schedules to attend and make this a campuswide celebration. I so appreciated the music of the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus and the incredibly talented students in the UCSD Gospel Choir. I particularly appreciated the students who participated in the banner art contest, as their creations made for a colorful display at RIMAC.
March 3, 2005 will always hold a special place in my heart, as it truly was a wonderful day for me and my family. Thank you for such a warm welcome and the significant role you played in the inauguration events. I know that together we will achieve the extraordinary.
— Marye Anne Fox
UCSD Chancellor
