Author: Nitya Patel
Campus: Hunter College
Major(s): Biochemistry
Minor(s): Women and Gender Studies
Professors: Lisa Brundage, Logan McBride
Macaulay Springboard 2026
Abstract
Access to safe, legal abortions is crucial for women’s reproductive healthcare. In 2022, Dobbs v. Jackson marked one of the most pivotal moments in restricting abortion access and women’s reproductive rights in the United States. This ruling diminished reproductive healthcare access, and compromised professional autonomy of OB/GYNs who are caught between legal pressures and ethical concerns for patient safety.
An OB/GYN shortage already exists, and paternalistic restrictions have forced many to retire earlier and discouraged medical students from pursuing the field. Some OB/GYNs have resorted to relocating to abortion accessible states. This contributes to the growth of OB/GYN deserts, or areas with limited access to maternity and reproductive healthcare.
OB/GYNs are actively attempting to reclaim professional autonomy while supporting women regain bodily autonomy, by pairing technological advancements in telemedicine with state legal protections to safely provide abortion care across the nation; providing a virtual curriculum for the delivery of OB/GYN resident education; and advocating and communicating online through op-eds and online forums like Reddit.
Although these solutions are impactful, they are simply addressing the symptoms of a problem. The root remains intact and requires greater collaboration and legislative action to reclaim women’s bodily autonomy.
Project Components
Reflections
I selected my topic because I am passionate about women’s health and always saw a future in the OB/GYN field. Given the current political climate, I wanted to engage and add to the emerging scholarly discussion on abortion access and reproductive rights in the United States. This paper allowed me to truly understand the magnitude and various facets through which increased paternalism has impacted practicing OB/GYNs. This topic is very closely tied with politics so the biggest challenge I faced was being able to make arguments and strong claims because of the fear that this may one day negatively affect my future as a medical professional. However, seeing how other medical students and physicians are sharing their voices, taking action, and advocating for change was inspiring and helped guide me/discover my voice in my paper.
Acknowledgements and Notes
I would like to thank my professors, Dr. Lisa Brundage and Dr. Logan McBride in assisting/supporting me throught the research, drafting, and editing phases of this paper. I would also like to thank my peers in MHC 400/401 for providing peer feedback, engaging in scholarly discussions, and encouraging me throughout this year. Finally, I would like to thank the Macaulay Honors College for providing the opportunity to pursue and curate a senior thesis that allowed me to bridge my STEM major in Biochemistry with my minor in Women and Gender Studies in a way that supports my academic and professional growth as a pre-medical student.
Fields of Study
Gender and Sexuality Studies, Health; Government, Policy, and Law; Public Good; STEM
Generative AI Disclosure
This project is proudly human-made
