Abortion Provider Expansion Project. Of the many health-care challenges faced in Minnesota and the country, one of the most pressing problems is the dwindling pool of physicians trained to provide comprehensive reproductive health care services, particularly abortion services. Currently abortion is one of the most sought after and safest surgical procedures performed on women; however, health care professionals may receive little or no exposure to abortion observation and education during their medical training. The Abortion Provider Expansion Program (APEP) seeks to allay this problem by facilitating the following training opportunities and providing support for pro-choice medical students, nursing students, residents and physicians in all specialties.

The Abortion Provider Expansion Program (APEP) is a collaborative program between Pro-Choice Resources and NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota Foundation. The primary goals of APEP are to: maintain and increase the number of abortion providers in Minnesota and be proactive in the community with regard to evolving reproductive health care issues. The Abortion Provider Expansion Project (APEP) provides direct services to medical students, nursing students, residents, physicians, and abortion clinic administrators throughout the state of Minnesota including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, and Duluth.

Abortion clinic shadowing experience: A one-day opportunity to observe reproductive health services and abortion care.

Medical Students for Choice externship program: An intensive program where participants observe the range of care offered by women's reproductive health clinics. A $1,000 stipend is available for this program.

Summer research and clinical experience project: In addition to the externship program describes above, participants complete a research project specific to women's reproductive health. A $1,000 stipend is also available for this program.

Patient escort training: Participants train to safely escort patients into clinics through anti-choice protesters. Participants must agree to volunteer to escort post-training.

HLHV small grant program: Provides up to $400 in funding for initiatives focused on gender and racial reproductive health disparities.

Mid-career physicians mentorship program: Connects current physicians, from all specialties, with mentors/fellowship opportunities to become abortion providers.
If you are a medical or nursing student, resident or physician and would like to apply for any of the above programs please fill out this application form.

Please also feel free to print out our APEP pamphlet to spread the word about this exciting program.

Download a copy of the study “Motivation and Intent to Provide Abortion Services: The Impact of Abortion Education and Training in an Ob/Gyn Residency Program.” here.

In addition to providing training opportunities, APEP offers the following:
Pro-choice lobbying tools

Arrange physician presentations specific to reproductive health

Focus groups on reproductive health training

Foster development of pro-choice student or medical organizations

Support pro-choice medical research

Present reproductive health information to small groups
Studies show that the women most impacted by provider shortage are low-income and/or rural women. As such, this project serves women of all ages, educational levels, racial and ethnic groups, social and economic classes and religions who find it necessary to have an abortion when faced with unintended pregnancy.

For more information about this program please contact Stacey at staceyb@prochoiceminnesota.org or 651-602-7655.

Funding for this project is provided by The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation and the Women's Foundation of Minnesota.