Since its founding in 2002, ANSIRH has grown to include more than 30 faculty, researchers, and staff members, and has become a leading source of ground-breaking research on abortion, contraception and other aspects of reproductive health.
Dr. Stewart (1943-2006) was a dedicated physician and powerful advocate for women’s access to high-quality, evidence-based reproductive health care and policy. In addition to her roles as a clinician, researcher and educator, she served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, responsible for managing the National Family Planning Program (Title X) and the Adolescent Family Life Program (Title XX) from 1994 to 1996. Before her untimely death at the age of 63, Dr. Stewart served as a guiding force in the reproductive health field. In addition to many other contributions, her work helped to bring about revolutionary advances in the provision of oral contraception, emergency contraception and medical abortion. Dr. Stewart’s legacy continues to inspire ANSIRH’s work. Read more about ANSIRH founder Dr. Stewart.
Dr. Weitz is a lifetime advocate of women’s health and reproductive rights. Trained as a qualitative sociologist, she designed and undertook mixed methods research at ANSIRH focused on strategies to expand abortion provision in the United States. After Dr. Stewart passed away, Dr. Weitz assumed the Director role, and oversaw a long and productive chapter of growth and expansion at ANSIRH. A brilliant thinker, networker and mentor, Dr. Weitz’s leadership was instrumental in leveraging the collective power of ANSIRH faculty and staff to successfully conduct complex research studies with immense relevance to reproductive health policy and practice. In 2013, Dr. Weitz left ANSIRH to assume a leadership position elsewhere in the field of reproductive health. ANSIRH remains committed to the vision she shaped in her years at ANSIRH. Read more about ANSIRH founder Dr. Weitz.