Welcome to our newest series – The Floor Is Yours…where we hand over the show to our GUEST and let them lead us in discussion on a current life issue. These guests are experts in their fields, have a passion for life and the Gospel, and could essentially have their own show!
For our first installment, we have a beloved friend, Dr. Donna Harrison, a highly-respected physician and long-standing CEO of AAPLOG (American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists). Dr. Harrison uses this episode to bring Steph up to speed on the legal history of abortion in America, starting at Roe v. Wade and leading up to Dobbs v. Jackson. She shares the foreseeable impact of overturning Roe v. Wade through the Dobbs case and the likely effects of federal abortion restrictions. Most notably, Dr. Harrison speaks from her years of medical experience and research in regards to the lasting harm of abortion on men, women, and children and calls the Church to model mercy and care for the men, women, and children vulnerable to abortion.
Bio: Dr. Donna Harrison is a physician, board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology. She completed an Honors Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Chemistry at Michigan State University and an M.D. from University of Michigan. She completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, an affiliate of University of Michigan. She was in private practice for 10 years.
She serves as CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, AAPLOG, and has been active with the organization since 1996. AAPLOG is the largest non- sectarian pro-life physician organization in the world, with over 7,000 members across the U.S., and international members on every continent.
Under her leadership, AAPLOG has tripled membership, launched the annual Matthew Bulfin Educational Conference, developed a robust website and social media presence, and launched systematic outreaches to the medical, legal and policy communities to discuss the effects of abortion on women.
Dr. Harrison’s research interests include Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulators, Endometrial Contraception, Maternal Mortality, and Abortion Mortality and Morbidity. She has authored numerous peer reviewed papers on many topics including the approval of RU-486 and on Ulipristal (Ella) as well as on the embryocidal potential of hormonal contraception.
Dr. Harrison is a sought after Continuing Medical Education (CME) speaker in the U.S. and internationally on topics of Medical Abortion with Mifepristone and Misoprostol, Adverse Events associated with Mifepristone and Misoprostol, Emergency Contraception with Ulipristal, Maternal Mortality, and Abortion Morbidity.
She is an Adjunct Professor at Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL, teaching post graduate seminars at the annual Center for Bio Ethics and Human Dignity summer workshops. She is Associate Editor of the peer reviewed medical journal Issues in Law and Medicine.
Dr. Harrison is married to Dr. Mark Harrison M.D. and is the mother of five children and 10 grandchildren. She resides in Michigan.
Learn about LCMS Life Ministry at lcms.org/life, and email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org.
Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.
We believe that God is the author and sustainer of all life. We also know it can be hard to speak about the intrinsic value of that life when it feels like the world is trying to drown us out.
We’re right here beside you. In this podcast of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Life Ministry, we’re coming alongside one another as a community of Christ’s redeemed people, ones who are speaking up for and living out the sanctity of human life. Together we’ll explore life issues in a way that honors our heavenly Father’s value of human life, serves our neighbor, and connects us to others who are doing the same. Join us, so that together we can be friends for life.
