Maggie Fricker
The patient was called from the waiting room, saving her from the chorus of protests that echoed through the clinic windows, and guided through the entrance doors to prepare for her procedure. The 36-year-old female was present that day for termination of pregnancy. The patient's history included three prior live births, with the last two being complicated enough to warrant pre-labor hospitalizations. Her symptoms included severe dehydration, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue during both admissions. The patient was married but concerned that having another child and becoming ill again would place too much stress on her family's finances and relationships.
Maggie Fricker
Like many in her position, she felt that her presence at the clinic that day was obligatory. Her physician entered the room and sat attentively as she recounted her reasons for having the procedure. The physician noted the patient's trembling voice, potentially due to nervousness or uncertainty, and they were committed to providing the same level of care and attention to the patient's mental and physical readiness. They reminded her that any choice she deemed fit for her body, wellness, and lifestyle was valid.
With resolve, the pair continued as the physician arranged the final ultrasound. The 20-week fetus appeared on the monitor, and the patient's face filled with emotion. The physician immediately flipped off the screen and turned to comfort her. At that moment, the woman needed the reassurance that she could carry out whatever decision she deemed appropriate—even if that meant walking out of the office without the procedure. The physician reached for her hand, applauded her bravery, and assured her that she would receive the best medical care regardless of her decision.
The patient, who was my mother in the year 2000, did walk out of the clinic right then despite her previous intention. Her one, incredibly meaningful encounter with a physician is why I, 24 years later, can now pursue a medical career that also holds patient-centered care and bodily integrity in the highest regard. I frequently imagine this encounter because it demonstrates how physicians must be able to empower patients to claim their bodily autonomy through a shared decision-making process. A different reaction from the doctor during the encounter could have placed an additional coercive perspective in the patient's head. Instead, the physician established a personal connection with their patient, taking the time to understand their complete history, including the social determinants that underlie their health.
When my mother told me this story, she feared it would upset me. It did. I was upset, because, looking at my mother's face, I saw the tremendous amount of guilt that this event had caused her to bear for decades. My first reaction was to celebrate her willingness to exercise her bodily right in the face of societal stigma that told her she did not have a choice in this matter. I often remind her that this story is what inspires me and reminds me how lucky I am to have had a strong, confident woman as my role model.
My second reaction to this story was the amazement at the level of empathy a stranger offered my mother in that office. During my senior year of college, I began volunteering for the Ohio Women's Alliance's (OWA) Member Assistance Program. After undergoing intensive training on reproductive justice, advocacy, and anti-oppression client-centered care, my primary responsibility was to operate a peer-to-peer phone line that provides resources and support to those seeking abortion services. The program sought to provide critical aid such as transportation, childcare, and financial assistance to underserved populations. While on the phone line, my primary goal was to mirror the level of empathy that my mother received when she needed it in a similar circumstance.
While not in a clinical setting, working the warmline allowed me to enable women to achieve their health-related goals within a reproductive justice framework. For example, I once received a call where the woman was audibly crying and having difficulty answering my questions over the phone. She had called to arrange transportation to an abortion appointment out of state. I hardly knew the woman's first name, but reassuring her became my top priority. I helped the woman calm her breath and body and then gave her the space to organize her thoughts and share her emotions. I listened attentively and validated her concerns. I searched my resources for the best information and remained on the phone with her until I was sure we had addressed her worries and restored her confidence. Experiences such as these have taught me compassionate communication, a skill at the core of being a physician and one I look forward to practicing.
In my mother's time of need, she received the personal care she needed and could make a truly informed decision. She was fortunate to have a positive experience while seeking reproductive care, but for various reasons, millions of Americans today do not. I had initially planned to attend medical school in the fall of 2023, which would have required submitting my applications in the summer of 2022. However, I felt disheartened by the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the restrictions placed on the healthcare field that can prevent patient-centered care. Through volunteering at OWA, participating in protests, and supporting abortion funds during the last few years, I witnessed the unwavering dedication of individuals who devote their lives to social advocacy. They renewed my hope for the future of women's healthcare policy and deepened my understanding of the evolving landscape of reproductive care. As a result, I now feel comfortable moving forward with pursuing my degree in medicine, helping the movement in the most productive way possible by combining my academic abilities with my passion for reproductive justice.
My experiences have taught me the profound impact that the right level of care can have on improving someone's life. This familiarity has reinforced my commitment to delivering compassionate and unbiased care throughout my career. I am looking forward to continuing to grow as a person and as a future physician during my next four years at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. I am confident that I will become the kind of physician who uplifts my patients during their most vulnerable moments, just as my mother's physician empowered her.