What are your gender pronouns?
She/her/hers
Where are you from?
A small town outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan
What’s your specialty or area of expertise?
I’m an ob/gyn with additional expertise and interest in contraception and abortion.
What first inspired you to become a doctor?
I worked at a vet clinic during college. It was amazing and I was instantly hooked on all things related to health care! I did consider a career in vet medicine, but ultimately decided that becoming a physician was the best fit for me. I enjoy developing relationships with my patients and supporting them during some of life’s biggest challenges and most joyful moments.
What current policy issue especially motivates you to be an advocate?
I’m especially frustrated by state laws that require unnecessary, expensive, or risky protocols prior to abortion. I practice in Ohio and a law was passed in 2019 that requires an additional procedure prior to abortion at a certain gestational age. It requires that women undergo a potentially dangerous procedure and it does nothing to improve the safety of abortion.
How do you practice self-care?
I find my work incredibly fulfilling; finding meaning in my work keeps me motivated and prevents me from feeling burnt out. I also enjoy spending time with my husband and children, with our dog, and exercising. My favorite part of my day is our bedtime routine when I read with my boy before lights out.
Who is your social justice hero?
I don’t have just one hero. Currently, I’m most inspired by my physician colleagues who are vocal advocates for abortion access in areas of the country that are not supportive of reproductive rights and justice. I’ve had the luxury of spending most of my medical career in very liberal areas where it was easy to be loud and proud about supporting abortion care. Now that I’m living and working in a more conservative part of the country, my advocacy role models include women like Drs. Colleen McNicholas, Yashica Robinson, Ghazaleh Moayedi, and Katie McHugh who are vocal advocates despite opposition in their communities.