Care No Matter What Podcast

In November, 2021, Brittany Fonteno joined the Planned Parenthood Arizona (PPAZ) team as its President and CEO. In this episode, hear about Brittany's plans for the future of PPAZ and why she is so passionate about reproductive rights and abortion access.

The University of Arizona's Medical Students for Choice program works to spread awareness of reproductive health issues and to ensure that women receive the full range of reproductive health care choices by organizing, advocating, training and supplementing our medical school curricula. This episode is an engaging conversation with MSCF participants Jeenal Shah and Mathili Khandekar. TALKING POINTS (list bullet points): Short intro of guests by Ethan Jeenal Shah Jeenal was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona in a family of immigrants from India. For her undergraduate education, she went to West Chester University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology with a minor in chemistry. Currently, she is a third-year medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. When she started at the U of A in 2019, Medical students for choice was one of the first clubs she joined.    Jeenal's interests in medical school have been surrounded by helping underserved populations, from working closely with the Tucson migrant population to helping low-risk juvenile detainees at the Pima County Jail. Her desire to advocate for women's health and reproductive justice stems from the women in her family who worked hard to allow her to be in this position, obtaining an education and medical degree.    Mathili Khandekar Maithili is a second-year medical student here at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson campus and is currently one of the directors of the Medical Students for Choice club on campus. She was originally born in India but has grown up in Phoenix, Arizona since she was 5 years old. She graduated from the University of Arizona Honors College in May 2020 with a degree in Physiology and double minors in business administration and molecular biology. In her free time, she loves to dance, read, travel and explore new places, and go hiking. She is very passionate about improving health education amongst the community and hopes to continue this throughout her medical journey as a physician. Welcome to you both.   Q & A: Mathili, can you start out by telling our listeners a little bit about the Medical Students for Choice Program? Q & A: Jeenal, I know this is an international organization with a chapter here at the University of Arizona, one of more than 220 around the world? How does that help MSFC fulfill their mission, having that larger network? Q & A: Mathili, why was it important for you to be a part of this work? I've got to imagine going to medical school is a full-time job, in and of itself? Why prioritize this? Q & A: Jeenal, same question for you. Why is this so important to you? Q & A: Mathili, one of the benefits is being able to observe clinical abortions in-person. My guess is that Covid has compromised this. How have you worked around this obstacle? Q & A: Jeenal, there is a worldwide shortage of abortion providers. Do you think this is work that you will incorporate into your practice after graduation? Thank you so much Jeenal and Mathili. This was definitely my privilege to have this time with you all.  And, thanks to all of you for listening and the privilege of your time. We'll be back soon for another great conversation. Look forward to connecting with you then.  

The Unidas program, an initiative of the Women's Foundation of Southern Arizona, offers young women in high school a glimpse into the world of opportunity and inequality. They have a chance to make a difference in other people's lives and learn about leadership and how to make philanthropic decisions that make an impact in the community.    This episode is an engaging conversation with Unidas participants Lydia Watts and Isabella Mixton-Garcia and staff organizer Desiree Maultsby.  

The month of May is designated, nationally, as Sex Ed for All month and helps focus attention on comprehensive, accurate, and stigma-free sexuality education for all. Join PPAZ Education Team Members Maria Rodriguez and Casey Scott-Mitchell for the thought-provoking conversation about the role Planned Parenthood is playing in bringing quality sex ed. to those in our community.

Enjoy this engaging conversation with Planned Parenthood Arizona board chairs Angela Florez and Xanthia Walker as well as Vice Chair Carminia Muñoz as they discuss the future of Planned Parenthood Arizona and all of the incredible work happening right now.

Siri Williams, MD, MPH, is an obstetrician/gynecologist who works at Planned Parenthood Arizona providing abortion and family planning care and as the interim medical director.  She also loves delivering babies in her 2nd job as an OB hospitalist at Tucson Medical Center.  Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Williams covering the topics: Abortion Care; Reproductive Health Care delivery; Protestors; and more.

A conversation with Dr. Cassandra Peel, Program Director/Administrative Faculty for the online MSW Program in the School of Cultural and Family Psychology at Pacific Oaks College. People of color, especially women of color, are far more likely to face health disparities and die at higher rates than their white counterparts. Dr. Peel discusses why this happens and how real change can happen.

A conversation with Planned Parenthood Arizona (PPAZ) Senior Director of Education, Vicki Hadd-Wissler, and Maria Rodriguez, PPAZ Community Engagement Manager about Planned Parenthood’s Education Programs, which reach 1000s each year. Funny and touching stories from the front lines.

A conversation with PPAZ Board Member Dr. Noor Zwayne. Dr. Zwayne is a Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecologist. This conversation explores her work with youth seeking reproductive health care and helping transgender men through their transition.

Planned Parenthood Arizona (PPAZ) Health Center workers are truly on the frontlines of providing patient care in sometimes difficult and stressful situations. Join us for a conversation with PPAZ Interim Medical Director Dr. Belinda Beck as she discusses the challenges and joys of providing patient care for those who come to Planned Parenthood.