Since the Fall of 2022, RHEDI (Reproductive Health Education in Family Medicine) and the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) have offered a series of trainings for non-abortion providing clinicians, in order to support abortion access in NYC. To address an influx of out-of-state patients, increased utilization of self-managed abortion, and heightened levels of confusion and fear after the Dobbs decision, we are offering introductory trainings for clinicians and support staff in primary care, emergency medicine, adolescent and school-based health, midwifery, and other specialties. 

Trainings provide a basic introduction to abortion methods, counseling, referrals, and pre- and post-abortion care, as well as legal and ethical context to help clinicians avoid criminalizing and stigmatizing patients. They will also cover statistical and legal aspects of abortion, commons myths and facts, and suggested language around abortion care.

Trainings may be virtual or in-person, and are typically 90 minutes to 2 hours, with ample time for discussion, Q&A, and participant feedback. They include at least one experienced local abortion provider who will cover abortion methods and protocols; we can also customize workflows, algorithms and/or information targeted to participants’ specialties and contexts.

The Abortion Access Ally program is a companion project to the NYC Abortion Access Hub, a hotline service that offers confidential counseling, logistical and financial support, and up-to-date care referrals for anyone seeking abortion or sexual and reproductive health services in NYC.

Trainings are sponsored by NYC DOHMH and are offered to participants at no cost through November 2024. To request an Abortion Access Ally Training Workshop, please contact RHEDI at info@rhedi.org.