Ryan Residency Training Program Policy and Advocacy Curriculum 2023-2024

Course Information
Course Overview and Introduction
1 Topic
Policy Module Overview and Introduction
Mini Course I. Reproductive Health and Policy 101
3 Topics
Jackson Women’s Health Organization v. Dobbs
Hyde Amendment
Hospital Policies
Mini Course II. Advocacy 101: Physicians as Advocates for Reproductive Health
11 Topics
The Power of the Physician Voice
Introduction to Reproductive Health Advocacy – Part I: Nine Spheres of OB/GYN Physician Advocacy
Introduction to Reproductive Health Advocacy – Part II: Advocating for Patients
Introduction to Reproductive Health Advocacy – Part III: Advocacy in Practice Environments
Introduction to Reproductive Health Advocacy – Part IV: Community Engagement
Introduction to Reproductive Health Advocacy – Part V: Working within Professional Organizations
Introduction to Reproductive Health Advocacy – Part VI: Building and Working with Coalitions
Introduction to Reproductive Health Advocacy – Part VII: Bridging Research and Policy
Introduction to Reproductive Health Advocacy – Part VIII: Regulatory and Legislative Policy Engagement
Introduction to Reproductive Health Advocacy – Part IX: Legal Advocacy
Introduction to Reproductive Health Advocacy – Part X: Media Engagement
Mini Course III. Working with Professional Organizations
2 Topics
The Impact and Importance OB/GYN Professional Organizations and Societies
OB/GYN Professional Organizations and Societies – Opportunities for Engagement During Residency and Beyond
Mini Course IV. Institutional Advocacy & Culture Change
4 Topics
An Introduction to Institutional Advocacy and Culture Change
Developing Relationships and Building Support
Strategies and Skills to Enact Culture Change
Medical Education as a Lens to Enact Culture Change
Mini Course V. Media Engagement
5 Topics
Magnifying the Physician Voice: The Importance of Media Engagement
Best Practices for Media Engagement
Letter to the Editor Workshop
Op-Ed Workshop
Developing & Implementing Talking Points
Mini Course VI. Legislative Advocacy
7 Topics
Strategies and Tips for Legislative Advocacy—Part I: Why to Engage
Strategies and Tips for Legislative Advocacy—Part II: How to Engage
No Need to Go it Alone: Partnering with Advocacy and Coalition Organizations
Working with ACOG at the Regional, State, and National Level—Part I
Working with ACOG at the Regional, State, and National Level—Part II
This is Why I Advocate: Bringing the Physician Message to Legislatures
This is Why I Advocate: Meeting with Elected Officials
Mini Course VII. The Physician Voice in the Courts: An Introduction to Reproductive Rights Law and Legal Advocacy
4 Topics
The Physician Voice in the Courts
The Anatomy of a Federal Lawsuit
This is Why I Advocate: Physicians as Plaintiffs and Expert Witnesses, Part I
This is Why I Advocate: Physicians as Plaintiffs and Expert Witnesses, Part II
Mini Course VIII. Spotlight on Advocacy and Policy Engagement – In partnership with Physicians for Reproductive Health (PRH)
5 Topics
Physician Advocacy in Action Part 1
Physician Advocacy in Action Part 2
Physician Advocacy in Action Part 3
Physician Advocacy in Action Part 4
Physician Advocacy in Action Part 5
Supplemental Reading & Resources
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Course Information

Ryan Residency Training Program Policy and Advocacy Curriculum 2023-2024 Course Information

Course Components

This curriculum includes eight mini courses in family planning advocacy and policy engagement. Each mini course includes a series of short video lectures featuring faculty and experts in reproductive health education, policy, and clinical care.  

Course Faculty

  • Andrew Beck, JD, Senior Staff Attorney, Reproductive Freedom Project, American Civil Liberties Union
  • Jennifer Conti, MD, MS, MSc, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Sarah Horvath, MD, MSHP, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Penn State University
  • Tanya Franklin, MD, MSPH, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Louisville
  • Valerie French, MD, MAS, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas
  • Roxanne Landis, JD, MPH, former Director of Policy, Ryan Residency Training Program
  • Colleen P. McNicholas, DO, MSCI, Chief Medical Officer, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri
  • Tanya Pellegrini, JD, Senior Counsel, The Lawyering Project
  • Jody Steinauer, MD, PhD, National Director, Ryan Residency Training Program
  • Jennifer Villavicencio, MD, MPP, former American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Darney-Landy Fellow
  • Vanessa Wellbery, former Senior Manager of State Government Affairs at American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Module Review Information

The resources in this module were reviewed by Nafeesa Dawoodbhoy, MHA and Jema K. Turk, PhD, MA, MPA in Spring 2023.

Learning Objectives

  • Develop a baseline understanding of family planning and abortion policy in the US, including familiarity with the legislative and judicial process
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of state/federal family planning policies on patient care, health equity, training, and physician practice
  • Describe the important role of OB/GYN advocacy in influencing family planning and abortion policy
  • Describe the variety of venues, outlets, and opportunities through which OB/GYN physicians can act as expert resources for the media, legislators, advocacy/policy organizations, and professional societies
  • Develop innovative strategies for identifying and engaging in advocacy to protect and expand family planning at the community, institutional, state, and national levels
  • Identify sources of national and state-based policy information, as well as opportunities for further advocacy and policy training and engagement
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