NEW YORK — Today, Jodi Magee, President and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health (Physicians) since 1995, announced her plan to retire in August 2020, after 25 years of leading the organization. Under Ms. Magee’s leadership, Physicians for Reproductive Health has played a critical role as the only physician-led organization that empowers doctors to advocate for access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion and contraception.
“For more than 25 years, my work has been focused on helping to build a world where all people have access to abortion and the contraceptive services they want, need, and deserve. Our founder, Dr. Seymour Romney, believed that all doctors, no matter their medical discipline, have a public health responsibility to speak out in the public arena on abortion and contraception,” Ms. Magee said. “In my years at Physicians for Reproductive Health, we have built the only organization that helps doctors make their voices heard on issues of reproductive health every day, all across the country. After 25 years of having the privilege of serving these doctors, I am ready to retire and make way for new leadership, who I know will keep this vital organization going strong in the years to come.”
As head of Physicians, Ms. Magee led the creation of the organization’s signature program, the Leadership Training Academy, which has identified, recruited, trained, and mobilized almost 400 doctors to add their voices to the public policy debates that have politicized reproductive health care over the last 40 years. The organization also built unique programming for doctors specializing in work with adolescents, and initiated and leads the Partnership for Abortion Provider Safety, a collaboration with more than 30 national organizations that work to ensure abortion providers feel safe in their homes, at work, and in their communities. Ms. Magee co-founded, with Dr. Wendy Chavkin, Global Doctors for Choice, modeled on the domestic work of Physicians, and also serves as its Board Chair.
“Every time I read or see one of our doctors speaking out in the media, or watch one of them testify before Congress, I am deeply grateful to have been part of fulfilling Dr. Romney’s vision of a physician-led organization that trains and empowers doctors to raise their voices on behalf of reproductive health,” Ms. Magee said. “I will continue to speak out in support of these important causes, but in this critical, decisive moment for reproductive health care access, I believe the time is right for new leaders to carry this vision forward into the future.”
“Along with our entire board and our nationwide network of doctors, I am deeply grateful for Jodi’s leadership and her tireless commitment to supporting providers, patients, and access to reproductive health care over the last 25 years,” said Dr. Kristyn Brandi, Board Chair of Physicians for Reproductive Health. “Thanks to Jodi’s efforts, Physicians grew from one doctor’s unique vision into a thriving organization that galvanizes and supports multi-specialty doctors who share an interest in making sure abortion and contraception are available to all who need them. Jodi’s work leaves a lasting imprint not only on Physicians but on the reproductive health, rights, and justice movements. Her legacy will continue long after she retires.”
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