Twenty years ago, when I was 19 years old, I was just starting to hit my stride balancing work and college. Then I had an unexpected pregnancy. My boyfriend and I were nowhere near ready to have a baby at that time. We figured out a few creative solutions to get the money together to pay for an abortion – including selling a watch, an all nighter playing online poker – somehow, we made it work. I went to Choices Clinic, and I had an abortion with Dr. William Richardson, who is now my mentor and employer.
My memories of being at Choices clinic have left a deep imprint on me and influenced my personal and professional trajectory. I remember arriving at the clinic feeling that it was an unexpectedly nice clinic, with a quiet, peaceful waiting room. In the exam room, there was a very comfortable recliner-like exam table where the procedure occurred. I was sleepy from the anesthesia medications they gave me, but I barely experienced any discomfort and the procedure was fast and painless. I was even given a birth control prescription by a nice medical assistant on my way out. I felt like my time was respected and my comfort was centered.
I have now become a physician and abortion provider myself, and I have worked in countless healthcare settings throughout medical school, residency, and in my career. With this experience and perspective, I know that patient experiences are not often like mine was a Choices. Both as a patient and as a provider, I have felt disrespected and harmed in many medical settings, which left me generally mistrustful of our modern medical systems.
It has always been my goal as a physician to be welcoming to patients from all walks of life, regardless of economic status, gender, body size, or co-occurring medical conditions. After residency, I was given the opportunity to run an abortion clinic in Kansas. While managing teams and implementing policies in this role, I often reflected on my own experience of receiving abortion care all those years ago. I specifically recounted the ease and comfort that Choices provided to me with such intentionality, humanity, and professionalism. This has provided me with a template for how clinical care should feel.
As I have become a physician and centered my career around being a compassionate abortion provider, I have always hoped for an opportunity to thank Dr Richardson and show him how much his care has impacted my life path. Now coming full circle, I am so thrilled to be returning to my hometown of Tucson, working at Choices Clinic alongside Dr. Richardson.