In Partnership with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
Moving the Fertility Conversation Forward
The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) held the first-ever Physician Fertility Summit — convened at the urging of our members who expressed a desire to bring this common issue of infertility out into the open. We are committed to seeking solutions so no woman in medicine ever has to say again, “I wish I knew then what I know now,” said Hina Talib, MD. Dr. Talib co-leads the AMWA Fertility Committee with Cindy Duke, MD, PhD, and Torie Comeaux Plowden, MD, MPH.
We are dedicated to continuing to focus on physician infertility challenges through a series of actionable seminars. Seminar 1 focused on Navigating Difficult Conversations and Seminar 2 invited women in medicine to change the culture of medicine through advocacy at work and in state legislation to make fertility treatment required in healthcare coverage; this work continues so join us. Watch Seminar 2 to get inspired, then download the advocacy toolkit so you can join us in this effort.
Seminar 3
Creating a Reproductive Life Plan
Anticipating Your Needs and Planning for the Future
April 25, 2022
Moderator:
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Torie Comeaux Plowden, MD, MPH, AMWA Fertility Co-Chair
REI Division Director and Deputy Chief of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Panelists:
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Jerrine Morris, MD, a clinical fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at UCSF
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Kiley Hunkler, MD, Physician who achieved pregnancy during residency
Breakout Session to explore:
- Considerations in timing pregnancy
- Anticipating what life looks like with child(ren)
- Addressing what it means to shift priorities
The Physician Fertility Conference 2022 has been made possible through the generous support of our
Gold level sponsors—Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Progyny— and Bronze level sponsor, ARC Fertility
Seminar 2
(Held February 28, 2022)
Advocating for Change at Your Institution
Taking Action to Get Fertility Benefits Coverage
WATCH NOW Coverage at Work Toolkit
Moderator:
- Barbara Collura, President/CEO, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
Invited Speakers:
- Erica C. Kaye, MD, Pediatric Oncologist, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Successful Strategies in a Healthcare System
- Christina Yannetsos, MD, Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Medical Campus; and, Founder, Colorado Fertility Advocates. Taking Your Message to Your State Legislators
- Chrissy Guidry, DO, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Tulane University. Lessons Learned in an Academic Institution
Breakout Sessions:
- Writing letters-to-the-editor/Op-Eds
- Role-playing pitch to HR for fertility benefits
- Advocating for fertility to be included as essential benefits in state healthcare plans
The Physician Fertility Conference 2022 has been made possible through the generous support of our
Gold level sponsors—Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Progyny— and Bronze level sponsor, ARC Fertility
Seminar 1 Agenda
Recording Available for Live Event
(Held January 24, 2022)
Navigating Fertility-Related Conversations at All Stages of Your Career
Strategies to help you talk about infertility, develop a support system, and learn from others.
Moderator:
- Arghavan Salles, MD, PhD, Senior Research Scholar at Stanford University. Full Bio
Speakers:
- Dana Reddy, MD, Rheumatology Physician in Private Practice and with the Family Health Centers of San Diego and San Ysidro Health Center. Full Bio
- Kate Hoppock, DO, Internist/Hospitalist at Duly Health and Care. Full Bio
- Amelia Swanson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology and Psychiatry at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Full Bio
Breakout Sessions:
- Finding words that work
- Developing support systems
- Connecting to resources
Social Media Toolkit – General, Student
The Physician Fertility Conference 2022 has been made possible through the generous support of our
Gold level sponsors—Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Progyny— and Bronze level sponsor, ARC Fertility.
AMWA is honored to be a Community Partner for National Infertility Awareness Week #NIAW2022 (April 24-30) founded by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.
The call to action for #NIAW2022 is to change the cringe-worthy phrase, “you should just…,” which is often uttered by well meaning people, to a more empathetic and engaged #WeCanAll — work together to reduce the burden of infertility.
Infertility impacts 1 in 8 couples in the U.S. today and 1 in 4 women physicians. Especially in medical communities, it’s time to share how #WeCanAll help others recognize the far-reaching effects of inadequate resources and support for family planning.
Here is how you can get involved:
- Join the AMWA webinar Series – Turning Fertility Challenges Into Change: Creating a Reproductive Life Plan (April 25, 8pm ET).
- Join the #WeCanAll social campaign with #NationalInfertilityAwarenessWeek or #NIAW2022 and tag @AMWADoctors in your posts. Here are NIAW Social Media Images and NIAW facts you can use. Share your infertility story or participate in the 5-Day Photo Challenge (including #WearOrange day on Wednesday, April 27, 2022).
- If your employer doesn’t cover fertility benefits, send a friendly email to ask about coverage. Consider citing recent Fortune and CNBC articles about how employers are using fertility benefits as perks.
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- “This week is National Infertility Awareness Week and one of the discussion points is the fact that lack of insurance inhibits many people from being able to move forward to treatment. I’m wondering if ______ will be considering fertility coverage benefits?”
- Write a post for AMWA’s blog or an Op-Ed about the importance of fertility benefits coverage using AMWA’s guideline and template.
- Read and share the Physician Fertility Summit Proceedings
- Talk to your employer about fertility benefits using the AMWA-RESOLVE Coverage-at-Work Toolkit.
- Sign up for RESOLVE’s National Advocacy Day.
