Why Having a Physician Lead Planned Parenthood Makes An Important Statement

For the first time in nearly fifty years a physician, Dr. Leana Wen, will take over as the President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Dr. Wen is an Emergency Medicine Doctor, Public Health Advocate, and author of When Doctors Don't Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests.  The Planned Parenthood Federation of America operates over 600 clinics across the nation and is the single largest provider of reproductive health services in our nation.  

Considering the recent appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to our Supreme Court in an already heated climate on reproductive health, this is the time for Planned Parenthood and advocates for reproductive health to stand their ground. In a country where many of those in power are pro-life, what our nation needs more than ever is evidence-based medical leadership ensuring that the reproductive rights of all members of our nation are protected. What our nation needs more now than ever is change, and protection and help to the medically underserved.

In addition to working as an emergency medicine physician, Dr. Wen is involved in health policy efforts. She has served as the Baltimore City Health Commissioner and has additionally led the implementation of a response plan to the opioid epidemic in Baltimore.  Additionally, Wen serves an advisor to the newly established Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Wen has a strong track record of helping others, and making an impact in a way that truly matters.

Instead of accepting the state of affairs now, it is our job as the next generation of advocates to be the change. Supporting strong leadership like Dr. Wen and speaking out for the rights of others is more important now than ever before. With midterm elections on the horizon, we must exercise our right to vote. Vote.org is a very helpful resource to sign up to vote quickly.  

I am proud to say #IStandWithPlannedParenthood and a healthier future for our nation.