Mar 20
July 2023 Newsletter
RHAP Welcomes New Executive Director!
Please join us in welcoming the Reproductive Health Access Project’s new Executive Director, Danise Wilson!
Danise comes to RHAP with extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, management, and growth. She is a fierce advocate for community education and health care access, and her previous role as the Executive Director of Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center focused largely on creating a diverse healthcare workforce and helping those professionals serve underrepresented communities in Erie and Niagara counties. She will bring her experience to help RHAP train, support, and mobilize primary care clinicians to provide equitable access to sexual and reproductive health, including abortion. Her leadership will support RHAP’s efforts to ensure that the needs and experiences of people of all identities and backgrounds are represented in their care.
Outside of work, Danise loves spending time with her family hosting backyard BBQs, being outdoors near water, and doing DIY projects. Learn more about Danise here!
When asked about her vision for this new role, Danise said she hopes to strengthen RHAP’s national recognition as an organization that bridges reproductive health and primary care communities. She aspires to grow RHAP’s already incredible culture through creating a nurturing environment for staff and connecting personally with its donors and supporters. Danise’s vision for the future is to mitigate the burden on birthing people seeking sexual and reproductive health care by eliminating barriers to access.
RHAP Celebrates Zero HIV Stigma Day
RHAP is celebrating Zero HIV Stigma Day on July 21 to raise awareness about the harms of HIV stigma on all people living with HIV, including those who want to get pregnant or avoid pregnancy. HIV stigma refers to negative attitudes and beliefs about people with HIV. Such stigma is a violation of human rights and can undermine reproductive autonomy and lead to poor health outcomes. Because HIV is transmitted mainly via sex and injection drug use, it carries more stigma than other chronic diseases. Thankfully, advancements in antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have given those living with HIV the resources necessary for healthy, satisfying sex lives.
Last year, RHAP collaborated with the Well Project on a series of Contraceptive Pearls to challenge HIV stigma and demystify reproductive health care for people living with or vulnerable to HIV. Together we wrote a “string of pearls” on preconception counseling and contraceptive counseling for people living with HIV, and HIV counseling and screening for people without HIV. The Well Project is a national nonprofit organization that provides tools for “women living with HIV across the gender spectrum” to build a foundation to not only survive, but thrive with HIV.
Join us by debunking HIV stigma and supporting the reproductive health and autonomy of people living with HIV. Everyone has a role in enabling open conversations about HIV, promoting accurate information, and realizing the right to dignity, health, autonomy for all people affected by HIV. Follow the Well Project and subscribe to our Contraceptive Pearls to read more about evidence-based best practices for person-centered contraceptive and preconception care.
Join Us to Expand Access to Reproductive Health Care Together! 
RHAP and ACT Access have worked collaboratively to build support for telemedicine shield laws and create public pressure on local officials. RHAP has hosted a letter to legislators supporting the New York telemedicine abortion shield law and co-hosted an informative Zoom meeting about shield laws. Thanks to RHAP’s tenacity and strong following, the letter was signed by more than 2000 New Yorkers and was distributed to local legislators and New York Governor Hochul. RHAP and almost 30 other organizations sent memos of support to the Senator, Mayor, and Assemblywoman Reyes, the sponsors of New York’s shield law S1066/A1709. ACT Access, with the support of RHAP, organized a press conference in Albany where many of these groups spoke about the urgency of protecting providers through telemedicine shield laws.
This is one of many efforts across the country that we support, thanks to your help. You make our commitment to elevate primary care clinicians and further expand and protect access to sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, stronger. Please, consider helping us to keep this work ongoing today!
Check Out Our Resources!
- Emergency Contraception: Which EC is Right for Me?
- Emergency Contraception Pill User Guide
- Abortion Pills Comparison Factsheet
- Phone Triage Guide for After Hours Medication Abortion
- Sign up for Insights on Abortion and Early Pregnancy Loss Care
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