Join the ACOG District IV Junior Fellow Rapid Response Team

In 2021, legislators across the country proposed and passed record-breaking numbers of abortion regulations and anti-transgender bills, and the COVID-19 pandemic brought anti-science rhetoric to the forefront for many. Without a doubt, 2022 promises to be another high-stakes year for obstetrician–gynecologists and our patients, and many proactive efforts are already underway.

In response, ACOG District IV is creating a Junior Fellow Rapid Response Team, with the goal of fighting to preserve access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare and protect the patient-clinician relationship from legislative interference. We know that legislators listen most closely to those within their zip code, and that mobilizing our colleagues by leveraging our collective professional networks can be incredibly powerful, so we would love to have representation from across ACOG District IV on this Rapid Response Team.

As a member of the team, you will have access to an advocacy community and to resources to help you take action. You’ll get:

• Community: We hope to create a team of about 30 ACOG Junior Fellow members dispersed across District IV. This team will provide you with an advocacy community that can offer support and connection during these difficult times.
• Tools: We will conduct virtual trainings for our Rapid Response Team, including a training on evidence-based strategies to engage in effective conversations on abortion and a training on op-ed writing and media engagement. We will also help with development of talking points as advocacy opportunities arise and partner closely with Section Legislative Chairs to identify advocacy actions on priority issues.
• Action Items: Joining this team will equip you with the skills to engage in actions like speaking with legislators, posting on social media, writing op-eds, doing media interviews, and testifying.

We will call on members of this team to take swift action and engage in skills-building with their colleagues, in line with ACOG’s values, on the federal, state, and local levels as needs arise. We expect members of this team to commit for one year. Interested participants are encouraged to apply by March 16, 2022.

Apply Now