It is with humility and excitement that I assume the leadership of AAPLOG from Dr. Donna Harrison, an amazing mentor, friend and hero. Though I have always recognized the humanity and value of human beings in the womb, and have treated pregnant women and preborn babies with equal care as my patients, I did not become a vocal proponent of life-affirming medicine until several years into my practice as an OB-GYN. One day, a dear friend pointed out to me that as a pro-life physician, I should do more to defend the preborn and their mothers from the destruction and trauma that abortion causes them. Realizing she was right, I soon discovered AAPLOG and joined the organization in the fight for life. That was 8 years ago and I am even more thankful now than I was then for this organization.

I have been incredibly fortunate to be a part of the crucial work that the AAPLOG community does. From the support it provides to its members as they face a medical landscape that’s increasingly hostile towards life to the research and evidence-based educational content it provides, this organization impacts the lives of thousands of current and future medical professionals and their patients across the world. I am so thankful for the mentorship, guidance, and networking that AAPLOG’s leaders and members have offered me so far.

All of the work I’ve witnessed at this organization has been under the leadership of Dr. Donna Harrison, my predecessor. AAPLOG would not be where it is today if it weren’t for Dr. Harrison, who, during her decade-long tenure as CEO, tripled AAPLOG’s membership, launched crucial programs such as the annual Matthew Bulfin Educational Conference, established our online educational presence, and more. In the months following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, AAPLOG has secured itself as the leading pro-life medical voice in the national discourse. We have Dr. Harrison’s leadership – and your loyal support – to thank for that.

In this new, post-Roe landscape, AAPLOG and its members have an important role to play. We have the opportunity, and in fact the duty, to defend life-affirming medicine in diverse sectors of society:

• in our offices and hospitals, where BOTH our patients deserve the highest level of care;
• in our professional organizations and licensing boards, where the need for scientific progress calls for open dialogue between physicians of diverse views on life issues;
• in our classrooms, where pro-life students and residents deserve protections for their conscience rights;
• in our legislatures, where our lawmakers’ constituents deserve medically-informed policies that will allow them to obtain high-quality healthcare; and
• in the media, where the public deserves to hear the medical evidence of how abortion harms our patients, as opposed to the significant misinformation they are currently hearing.

This is a tall order, but with your support we are up to the task! During this season, I aim to represent the voices of the thousands of pro-life medical professionals across the country who are committed to honoring the oath we took to do what’s best for our patients – all of our patients, at all stages of life. I look forward to serving you and hearing from you how AAPLOG can support you as you defend life.

For LIFE,