Dr. Amy Caldwell: Yeah, I remember really distinctly on my OB/GYN rotation as a third year, having already done a lot with Medical Students for Choice, and identifying with that group and taking it on as a cause, that when I was on labor and delivery, and there would be a D&E [dilation and evacuation] case in the OR or something, I remember recognizing that medical students weren’t being involved.

Dr. Hogan: Like, were being not included intentionally, or?

Dr. Caldwell: I believe it was intentional, yes.

Dr. Hogan: Like, you would normally be included if it was another procedure?

Dr. Caldwell: Yes. Exactly. As medical students, when you’re on rotations you’re expected to be involved in all the clinical care that is happening on the floor, in the unit with a few exceptions, and abortion care was one of those exceptions, which wasn’t entirely surprising. What I did find surprising though, was that when I specifically reached out if I could be involved in those cases that it was discouraged. And not by the providers who were actually doing that work, but by other providers that were more directly in charge of my experience that day. The staff that was running the labor and delivery floor, for example.

Dr. Hogan: And they weren’t giving any clear explanations, they were just steering you

Dr. Caldwell: I think the thought was that it was too complex and complicated for a medical student to be involved.

Dr. Hogan: Do you remember what your reaction was like at the time?

Dr. Caldwell: I was really shocked and a little angered, but at the same time as a medical student you feel completely powerless, so I had gone out on a limb to ask to be involved, so when I was told no I really didn’t feel like I was in a place to advocate further for myself. But I was really disappointed and a little frustrated.