CIR Stands Committed to Reproductive Justice

Our Vision:

CIR envisions a health system where every individual—regardless of background, identity, or circumstance—can make informed, autonomous decisions about their reproductive lives. This includes the ability to prevent or pursue pregnancy and to parent in safe, supportive environments. As future physicians, we are committed to fostering equity, respect, and dignity in all reproductive health experiences

Our Mission:

The Reproductive Justice Taskforce is committed to supporting the rights of individuals to:

Make their own choices about if or when to become pregnant,
Conceive and give birth with access to compassionate and respectful care, and
Raise children in environments that are safe, healthy, and supportive.

As medical professionals, we recognize that reproductive justice is inseparable from broader social determinants of health. We advocate for clinical and policy practices that address systemic barriers—such as racism, economic inequality, and gender-based discrimination—and ensure equitable access to the resources patients need to thrive.

Click here to get involved with our Reproductive Justice Task Force ➚

Reproductive Justice Work is Political

Our Committee on Political Education (COPE) is our PAC that allows us as doctors and union members to engage legislatively, electorally, and politically.

The more united we are, the more power we have to win. Get involved here:

Learn More About COPE

Join Your CIR COPE Board

Thanks to COPE, we have been able to advocate for ourselves and our patients outside of our hospitals:

Worked with Sen. Carolyn Menjivar to pass legislation to require fertility care coverage by insurance plans in CA.
Working with Sen. Kiz Kreuger and Asm. Harvey Epstein to establish an Abortion Training Program to help residents in abortion restrictive states come to NY to get critical training.
Working with our legislators to defend Title IX funding and attacks on Medicaid users so they can continue accessing clinics like Planned Parenthood
Successfully supported tens of abortion affirming candidates and state ballot initiatives in the last elections
Spoken at hearings before city councils and state legislatures in support of reproductive rights.

AccessBridge Fellowship Opportunity

Reproductive Access Leadership Program

Sept 2026-Mar 2027

Webinar

Your Fertility, Your Priority: Fertility Care for Physicians

Almost 25% of female doctors trying to conceive face fertility challenges, about double the rate of the general population. But fertility issues can impact any resident hoping to start a family, including male residents, transgender residents, single residents, and residents with same-sex partners. Join us for a workshop to understand reproductive considerations for careers in medicine.

Reproductive Justice Grants at CIR

Many CIR members have fought for and won resident-controlled grant funding they can apply towards equipment purchases, research, quality improvement projects, or community-based initiatives that support both patients and residents across the reproductive spectrum.

+ View examples of CIR grants

Research Grants

Boston Medical Center (MA):
- Handheld fetal dopplers (2); OB/GYN; $1,800.00; 2025
Cambridge Health Alliance (MA):
- Items to encourage breastfeeding and formula for families; Family Medicine; $2,100.00; 2025
- POCUS resident training program; Family Medicine; $4,796.00; 2026
Harbor-UCLA (LA):
- Postpartum Outpatient Blood Pressure Monitoring and Outcomes in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy; OB/GYN; $600.00; 2025
Jackson Hospital (FL):
- Nexplanon Initiative: Training and Implants for patients served by Family Medicine Residents; Family Medicine; $50,000.00; 2024
Lincoln Hospital (NY):
- Bozzini/POA GT Hysteroscopy Simulator; OB/GYN; $10,414.98; 2024
Los Angeles General (CA):
- Supporting Lactating Parents (breast pumps for lactating residents); Psychiatry; $5,000.00; 2021
- Fibroid ablation system; OB/GYN; $145,000.00; 2024
- First Embrace: Early Initiation of Skin-to-Skin Care; Neonatology; $17,233.00; 2025
- Data-Informed Neonatal Outcomes (DINO): Implementation of a Neonatal Data Infrastructure to Reduce Major Morbidities and Improve Outcomes in Extremely Premature Infants; NICU; $60,000.00; 2026 (under review)
Metropolitan Hospital (NY):
- Sensitivity and specificity of Point of Care pregnancy test using whole blood sample versus urine; Emergency Medicine; $5,400.00; 2022
University of Washington (WA):
- Discharge Planning Needs for Neonates and Their Families in Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Units; Pediatrics; $1,400.00; 2021
- Neurodevelopmental Care Among At-Risk Newborns Across Washington State; Pediatrics; $1,400.00; 2025
- Donor Human Milk Access in Washington State; Pediatrics; $1,400.00; 2025
- Bidirectional text messaging intervention on scheduling rates in a statewide perinatal telepsychiatry clinic; Psychiatry; $1,400.00; 2025

Equipment Grants

Harbor-UCLA (LA):
- Smoltap Cradle and Pads; Peds EM; $5,098.50
Los Angeles General (CA):
- Transvaginal probe for POCUS; OB/GYN; $8,125.00
- L&D beds (8); OB/GYN; $132,281.75
- ATLAS Baby & ATLAS Toddler Simulator; Pediatrics; $12,000.00

Reproductive Health Training Scholarship

If you are a CIR member interested in participating in reproductive training outside of your program, CIR may be able to help. We have an education fund that can help with registration, travel, lodging, and meals.

See more information and apply HERE.

+ View eligible hospitals

Alameda Health System
Bellevue Hospital Center
Boston Medical Center
BronxCare Health System
Brooklyn Hospital Center
Cambridge Hospital
CarePoint Health-Christ Hospital
CarePoint Health-Hoboken Univ. Med. Ctr.
Children’s National Hospital
Elmhurst/H&H
Elmhurst/Sinai
Flushing Hospital Medical Center
Harlem Hospital Center
Institute for Family Health-Harlem
Interfaith Medical Center
Jacobi Medical Center
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Jersey City Medical Center
Kings County Hospital Center
Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center
Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center
Los Angeles County – Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Los Angeles County – MLK/Drew
Los Angeles County – Rancho Los Amigos
Los Angeles General – USC Medical Center
Maimonides Medical Center
Metropolitan Hospital Center
Mount Sinai Morningside/West
New York Methodist Hospital
One Brooklyn Health
Queens Hospital
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
South Brooklyn Health
St. Barnabas Hospital
St. Elizabeths Hospital
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
University of Massachusetts
Valley Consortium for Medical Education
Westchester County Health Care
Woodhull Hospital Center
Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

American Medical Women’s Association

ALL CIR members have access to a free membership with the American Medical Women’s Association, the oldest multi-specialty organization dedicated to advancing women in and improving women’s health.

Join AMWA to gain mentorship, advocacy opportunities, and a powerful network of women physicians. To activate your free membership use code CIR when signing up!

+ AMWA opportunities for CIR members:

Family and Fertility in our Union Contracts

Fought for and won preconception support and comprehensive fertility treatment:

Preconception and trying to conceive support

Unlimited clinical and emotional support from a dedicated Progyny Care Advocate (PCA)

+ View eligible hospitals

Boston Medical Center
Bronxcare Health System
Brooklyn Hospital Center
Carepoint Health-Christ Hospital
Carepoint Health-Hoboken Univ. Med. Ctr.
Children’s National Hospital
Elmhurst/Sinai
Flushing Hospital Medical Center
Institute For Family Health-Harlem
Interfaith Medical Center
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Jersey City Medical Center
Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center
Maimonides Medical Center
Mount Sinai Morningside/West
New York Methodist Hospital
One Brooklyn Health
St. Barnabas Hospital
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

Comprehensive fertility treatment coverage

Bundled fertility treatment coverage and family building services for every unique path to parenthood via Smart Cycles

+ View eligible hospitals

Boston Medical Center
Bronxcare Health System
Brooklyn Hospital Center
Carepoint Health-Christ Hospital
Carepoint Health-Hoboken Univ. Med. Ctr.
Children’s National Hospital
Elmhurst/Sinai
Flushing Hospital Medical Center
Institute For Family Health-Harlem
Interfaith Medical Center
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Jersey City Medical Center
Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center
Maimonides Medical Center
Mount Sinai Morningside/West
New York Methodist Hospital
One Brooklyn Health
St. Barnabas Hospital
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

Access to a network of top fertility specialists

Convenient access to a network of top fertility specialists across the US

+ View eligible hospitals

Boston Medical Center
Bronxcare Health System
Brooklyn Hospital Center
Carepoint Health-Christ Hospital
Carepoint Health-Hoboken Univ. Med. Ctr.
Children’s National Hospital
Elmhurst/Sinai
Flushing Hospital Medical Center
Institute For Family Health-Harlem
Interfaith Medical Center
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Jersey City Medical Center
Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center
Maimonides Medical Center
Mount Sinai Morningside/West
New York Methodist Hospital
One Brooklyn Health
St. Barnabas Hospital
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

Lactation rooms

Added contract language that lactation rooms be provided in proximity to the work area

+ View eligible hospitals

California Pacific Medical Center
George Washington Hospital
Rutgers University NJMS
Rutgers University RWJMS
UC Irvine
University of California, Riverside
Boston Medical Center
Children’s Hospital Oakland

Childcare

Added access to child care programs or other child care benefits for members

+ View eligible hospitals

H&H
Westchester County Health Care
Children’s National Hospital
Jackson Memorial Hospital
University of Washington
Monte (the new contract)

Future fertility benefits

Added fertility benefits or contract reopeners/commitments to explore in the contract for fertility benefits

+ View eligible hospitals

UCLA Medical Center
Jackson Memorial Hospital
Alameda Health System
Irvine

Building Power, Building Families: How UC Housestaff Won Fertility Coverage in Our Contract

The CIR Family Building Committee at the University of California brings together residents who are committed to making medical training more family-friendly. The Committee has taken on issues like childcare, lactation accommodation, parental leave and fertility benefits. Landmark wins include stronger lactation protections, 8 weeks of fully paid parental leave for UC residents, as well as a $30,000 fertility benefit that also covers postpartum benefits like night doulas and lactation consultants.

Pictured: CIR leaders Kelley Butler, Paul Wallace and Josh Neff meet with CA Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis about FBC priorities .

Click here to get involved with our Reproductive Justice Task Force ➚

In the Media

Member Voices:

4/6/26 – The Roadmap for Change No One Gave Me in Medical School, Kelly Stewart, MD, FemInEM

3/24/26- Closing the Gap in Abortion Training, Empire Report

6/28/22 – Almost half of nation’s OB-GYN residents train in states poised to ban abortion, Healthcare Dive

6/25/22 – Statement from the Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU on Roe v. Wade Decision, CIR SEIU

5/23/19 – CIR Statement on Recent Abortion Laws, CIR SEIU

CIR’s Reproductive Justice Work:

3/4/25 – New Bill Aims To Increase Abortion Training Services in Healthcare, New York Now

2/24/25 – New York State Abortion Advocates Rally in Albany to Champion Landmark Clinical Training Program Amid National Abortion Access Crisis, NY Senate

10/17/24 – Florida’s six-week abortion ban sends patients out-of-state for procedure, WLRN Public Media

4/9/26:

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6/25/22:

6/2/21:

Understanding S.P.I.T.

What are the benefits of forming a union?

When we come together as housestaff, we have a unified voice for safe working conditions and better patient outcomes. This pandemic has demonstrated that having workplace representation is urgent and necessary. Thousands of residents across the country have organized union chapters and have won historic improvements for housestaff and patients through collective bargaining agreements.

What’s legal? What’s not?

The laws vary from state to state as well as the type of employer you are paid by – private or public.Generally, however, most laws give employees the right to act together to try and improve their working conditions, with or without a union.It is illegal for employees to be fired, suspended, or otherwise penalized for taking part in protected group activity.

Generally, it is illegal for employers to S.P.I.T.:

(Document any activity that may look like this)

Surveil

Administration and department leadership may not conduct unlawful surveillance of employees’ union activity. Identifying, tracking and surveillance of employee discussions about the union or union meetings is illegal.

Examples:

Supervisors cannot inquire about what goes on at union meetings, ask which employees attend the meeting, or even give the impression of such surveillance.

Promise

Administration and department leadership must not directly or indirectly promise any benefits or reward employees for refusing to sign a union card, or for voting against your union. They may not promise a wage increase or give preferential treatment in exchange for refraining from union activity. Encouraging employees to withdraw or repudiate union authorization cards is also unlawful. They may not solicit grievances about working conditions while expressly or impliedly promising corrections if residents do not form a union.

Examples:

“I can get you a job here or give you a good recommendation letter if you don’t get involved.”

Reminder: There is nothing holding management accountable to any promises they make and they do not have to follow through.

Interrogate

Administration and department leadership should not interrogate, or ask, any employee whether or not he or she favors the union, has signed a union card, or has gone to a union meeting.

You can always say you’re not comfortable answering their questions. Remember to ask whether they’ve talked to others, whether they know if they’re allowed to ask, and if they have concerns about residents forming a union and what they are.

Questions they may ask:

Have you heard of a union being formed? Are you involved? Have you been asked to sign a card? Do any of your colleagues have interest in forming a union? Who have you heard union talk from? Do you think you’ll join?

Threaten

Administration and program leadership must not threaten employees with harm or reprisals (economic or otherwise) if they decide to get involved with the union or sign a union card.

Examples:

Administration may not threaten to take away residency spots or current department benefits if the residents decide to form or join a union.

What can we do to protect ourselves?

Despite being generally protected, it is always a good idea to be extra careful:

Remember to be discrete and never seek advice or reveal to management/administration that you are considering unionizing
Refrain from using hospital property – both physical (printers, computers, phones) – and intellectual (email, paging/messaging systems) – in communicating regarding union matters
Be mindful of where and when you discuss unionization with your colleagues – being overheard talking about unions in the hospital “on company time” can be considered “solicitation,” so exercise caution and discretion
As long as you are using personal means of communication such as personal phones, emails, and only talking to other interns, residents, or fellows, the hospital cannot discipline you

Reminder: Forming a union is 100% our legal right and our vote is anonymous.