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Many medical school student who trained with me avoided OB/Gyn residency because their Catholic beliefs would not be respected. My mentors indicated that if I was careful to screen programs I could successfully become a Catholic OB/GYN. I carefully screened 11 OB/GYN programs by mail and personal visit at great expense requiring loans for education to increase. After being selected for my top choice program I was attacked by cheif residents who were suspicious that Catholocism had something against women and targeted me for a 4 month "probation" where all of my preceptors were "warned of my catholicity". In spite of all of this I was successful in passing the in-training exam but was again attacked by the assistant director of the program who indicated that He did not believe that it was possible to be an OB/GYN and be a practicing Catholic an refused to recommend me to any other program in OB/GYN. At this vulnerable point in residency trainig I was unable to afford to move to a new program and (although I was encouraged to do so) unable to afford a lawsuit for descrimination. Friends have since informaed me that this program has mended its ways but I have since then had to help defend other health care providers in their struggles against descriminatory programs of training (all of which are at least partially federally funded). Without this Rule to protect trainees there is no practical way of stopping a discriminatory program or person in power. I was blessed with the ability to change to Family Medicine Residency and continue to provide obstetrical services and training. Not all medical students would have the flexibility or opportunity to transition successfully and would be forced to give up the practice of OB thus making the availability of health care providers with an ability to follow their conscience even more limited.
James J.
Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
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