Programs: Abortion Provider Awards

At the 2010 Abortion Provider Awards ceremony, PRCH gave the William K. Rashbaum, MD, Abortion Provider Award to Carolyn Westhoff, MD and the George Tiller, MD, Abortion Provider Award to Adam Jacobs, MD. Susan Wood, PhD, was this year's keynote speaker. LeRoy Carhart, MD, presented the Rashbaum Award to Dr. Westhoff; Jeanne and Rebecca Tiller gave the Tiller Award to Dr. Jacobs. The Tillers were the first to sign our Abortion Provider's Declaration of Rights, which was unveiled at the event.

Photographs by Brett Deutsch

The William K. Rashbaum, MD, Abortion Provider Award

The William K. Rashbaum, MD, Abortion Provider Award honors a physician who provides outstanding abortion services and serves as an inspirational leader for colleagues, residents, and medical students.

Winners of the William K. Rashbaum, MD, Abortion Provider Award

2010: Carolyn Westhoff, MD
2009: LeRoy Carhart, MD (with video from the event)
2008: Mildred Hanson, MD
2007: George Tiller, MD
2006: Shalom Press, MD

Dr. Rashbaum Remembered

William K. Rashbaum, MD, (1926-2005) was a gifted obstetrician and gynecologist, an inspirational teacher, a passionate advocate for a woman’s right to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, and a co-founder of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health.

As a young physician, Dr. Rashbaum was regularly called upon to attend to women who had been seriously injured by illegal abortions. Following the legalization of abortion, he performed abortions in New York City and trained hundreds of medical students, residents, and doctors how to do so.

Dr. Rashbaum had a reputation for speaking his mind, but his patients knew him as a gentle and compassionate man who would hold their hands during difficult times. Dr. Rashbaum died in 2005.

Dr. Rashbaum recounts his personal story as an abortion provider and PRCH founder in In His Own Words. 

We're pleased to share this video of Suzanne Poppema, MD, remembering Dr. Rashbaum at the 2009 William K. Rashbaum, MD, Abortion Provider Award Ceremony.

The George Tiller, MD, Abortion Provider Award

The George Tiller, MD, Abortion Provider Award recognizes a physician early in his or her career who provides abortions while demonstrating leadership and courage. Adam Jacobs, MD, was the first to receive this award, which was inaugurated in May 2010.

Dr. Tiller Remembered

Dr. Tiller (1941-2009) was a family physician who provided abortions for more than 30 years, specializing in later procedures. Despite continual harassment and violence, he advocated tirelessly for the women he served. A former PRCH board member, Dr. Tiller mentored colleagues from around the country. He was killed by an anti-abortion protestor.