ESTABLISHED BY THE PRO-CHOICE NETWORK OF WESTERN NEW YORK, INC.
"One of the greatest obstacles to safe legal abortion is the absence of trained providers throughout 84% of US Counties."Dr. Jody Steinnauer
Medical Students for Choice President.
Anti-choice advocates use tactics of intimidation harassment and violence against clinics and doctors. This has taken its toll on the number of doctors remaining in the field. In addition, many providers who lived through the era of illegal and unsafe abortions are reaching retirement age, thus further reducing women's access.
LACK OF OPTIONS
Without trained personnel to perform abortions, the "legal" right to do so becomes meaningless. How can a woman make a choice if her options are inaccessible?LACK OF TRAINING
A 1992 study concluded only 12% of US obstetric/gynecology residency programs require training in first trimester abortions. Another study reveals that 47% of chief OB/GYN residents have never performed a first trimester abortion.LACK OF EDUCATION
Most US medical schools provide little, if any, training in abortion procedures.LACK OF CHOICE
Future physicians must have this training. Only then will they have a choice in what services they will provide. Only then will their patients be fully served.LEGACY OF HARASSMENT
"When you are using words like 'kill' and 'murder' that's where it can lead." -Dr. Barnett Slepian Not long after the passage of Roe V. Wade anti-choice activists took to the streets. At first they prayed, carried signs, and harassed patients. When they did not stop women, they began targeting women and doctors. Next came blockades, acid attacks, arson, bombings, and finally, the wounding of numerous health workers, and the murder of four physicians, including Dr. Slepian.No one should have to put his or her life on the line to be a doctor.
In an atmosphere of increasing violence where abortion services became more scarce, Dr. Slepian would not leave his practice. The Slepian fund will work to increase the number of medical professionals who perform abortion services. In doing so the risk to any one doctor will be reduced.
PRO-CHOICE NETWORK RESPONDS
On the evening of October 23, 1998, an anti-choice terrorist shot and killed Dr. Slepian while he stood inside his own home. IN the wake of the murder, Mrs. Slepian requested that donations be made to the pro-choice network of Western New York. The outpouring in response to his heroism inspired us to collaborate with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to establish a fund which would not only honor the memory of Dr. Slepian, but would also have a positive impact on reproductive choice. Our organization is dedicated to keeping the choice for abortion and all other reproductive rights safe, legal, and accessible for every woman.YOU CAN HELP
Send your tax-deductible donation to the Dr. Barnett A. Slepian memorial fund. Dr. Slepian worked the local medical school to teach students about the importance of his services to his patients and why he provided them. The Slepian fund will carry on his legacy.YOUR GIFT
Your gift strengthens a fund that will train medical professionals in abortion techniques and provide additional education on the full range of women's reproductive health issues. As the number of medical professionals trained in these services declines, an emphasis on training new providers is critical. This will ultimately benefit women of Erie County, the State of New York, and the nation.HOW TO MAKE A DONATION
Make Checks payable to: Dr. Barnett A. Slepian Memorial Fund and Mail to:Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
712 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14202
ATTENTION MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
The Slepian Memorial Committee of the Pro-Choice Network of Western New York, Inc. would like to invite you to apply for a grant to offset your expenses associated with training in the abortion procedure.
The Murder of Dr. Slepian
On October 23, 1998, an anti-abortion terrorist assassinated Dr. Barnett A. Slepian in his home.
Dr. Slepian was an obstetrician-gynecologist who included abortion as part of his practice in Buffalo, NY. Dr. Slepian performed abortions because he believed it was necessary for women to have a choice when faced with an unintended pregnancy. He remembered when women died from unsafe, illegal abortions.
When the anti-choice terrorists could not succeed politically, they resorted to acts of terror and intimidation to eliminate choice. Anti-abortion extremists targeted him for years of harassment. In spite of the threats and harassment, Dr. Slepian courageously stood up to these domestic terrorists and continued to provide complete reproductive health services to women until one of the terrorists shot and killed him.
The Barnett A. Slepian Memorial Fund
The community that suffered the loss of one of its best physicians has established a memorial fund in Dr. Slepian's name so that his work can live on. The fund is intended to provide training grants to physicians and medical students who are committed to include abortion in their medical practice, who view the option of abortion as an integral part of comprehensive care for women, and who refuse to allow political and religious extremists to dictate patient care. Increasing the number of providers will reduce the risk to any one physician.
Annual Grants
A grant award of up to $2,500 may be used in any manner necessary to support a physician, resident or medical student's training in the abortion procedure. For example, this grant could assist with training fees/tuition, living expenses while in training, or travel expenses. Applications are reviewed by the Slepian Committee on an ongoing basis and the grant is awarded annually.
APPLICANTS: Please print and complete the following application. Mail to address below.
Dr. Barnett A. Slepian Memorial Fund
Clinical Training Grant Application
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. All information provided in this application will be used by the Slepian Committee of the Pro-Choice Network of Western New York in the application review process. Your responses will be kept confidential. If you are selected to receive the Slepian Award, the Slepian Committee will contact you to request your permission to release specific information to the media. Releasing information to the media is voluntary and will not be a determining factor in the selection process for this award.
I. Applicant Information – to be completed by all applicants
Name______
Citizenshiip______
Medical School______Yr. in school______Graduation Date______
Current Mailing Address: Valid Until______
Street______Apartment Number______
City ______State______Zip Code______
Telephone Numbers: Home______Work______
(include area codes) Cell______E-Mail Address______
Permanent Mailing Address:
Street______Apartment Number______
City______State______Zip Code______
Name of Abortion Training Facility______
Facility Address/Phone______
______
II. Professional Information – to be completed by MDs only
License #______State______Exp. Date______
Hospital Affiliation______Specialty______
If the answer to any of the following questions is “yes,” please give details on a separate sheet.
Has your license to practice medicine in any jurisdiction ever been limited, suspended or revoked? Yes No
Have you ever been refused membership on a hospital medical staff? Yes No
Has your request for any specific clinical privilege ever been denied or granted with stated limitations? Yes No
Have your privileges at any hospital ever been suspended, revoked or not renewed? Yes No
Has your narcotics registration ever been suspended or revoked? Yes No
Have you ever been denied membership or renewal thereof, or been subject to disciplinary action inany medical organization? Yes No
III. Submissions – to be completed by all applicants
On a separate sheet, please answer the following questions and attach to this application form.
1.Please state and explain your position on why abortion is a critical part of reproductive health care for women.
2.As a recipient of this award, how much money are you requesting and how would you plan to utilize the grant? (i.e., for recent past or future training fees, housing, travel, other related expenses, etc.) Have you applied for other grants to support your abortion training? If yes, please specify.
- How do you plan to utilize your abortion training?
V. Signature – to be completed by all applicants
I verify that all of the information provided in this application and accompanying materials is true and accurate. I give my consent for my references to be contacted.
Signature______Date______
Please return this application to:
The Slepian Committee
Pro-Choice Network of WNY, Inc.
P.O. Box 461
Buffalo, NY 14209