Summer 2025 Essay Contest Series
As we approach the three-year mark of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned nearly 50 years of federal protection for abortion care, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, AMSA members are invited to reflect, write and share their thoughts in essays exploring the intersection of reproductive justice and medical ethics.
Our Summer 2025 Essay Contest Series provides a platform to amplify student voices, and promote a culture of empathy, solidarity, and evidence-based care. Each contest in the series offers separate competitions for premeds and medical students, and is OPEN to ALL AMSA MEMBERS.
AWARDS:
- 1st Prize – $500 Cash & Featured Publication in Special Issues of AMSA’s Weekly Consult, AMSA’s national blog, On Call, & Repro eNews Spotlight on Abortion Care & Reproductive Justice and highlighted within the AMSA Reproductive Health Project webpages and @AMSAnational Social Media
- 2nd Prize – $250 Cash & Featured Publication in AMSA’s national blog, On Call, & Repro eNews Spotlight on Abortion Care & Reproductive Justice, and highlighted within the AMSA Reproductive Health Project webpages and @AMSAnational Social Media
- Honorable Mention – Featured Publication in AMSA’s national blog, On Call, & Repro eNews Spotlight on Abortion Care & Reproductive Justice, and highlighted within the AMSA Reproductive Health Project webpages
June Contest Theme - The Impact of Decisions
June Contest Theme
The Impact of Decisions
As we approach the three-year mark of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned nearly 50 years of federal protection for abortion care, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the impact of this decision continues to shape conversations about medical decision-making, patient autonomy, physician practice, and the role of politics in healthcare. Abortion care is now totally banned in 12 states and deeply restricted in 29 more states. Since the decision we’ve also seen voters in 13 states vote to add protections for abortion care to their state constitutions (5 in 2022 and 7 in 2024).
Even in states where abortion care remains legal, the Court’s decision has also begun impacting future physicians. Across the country people who’ve grown up with the dream of becoming physicians are weighing the impact of the Dobbs decision as they decide: which states they will apply to attend college and medical school, which states they will apply to residency and fellowship programs, and where they will seek to establish practices upon completion of their training? The Dobbs decision has also impacted the way patients and providers both think about patient care, trust, and the boundaries of government intervention in medicine.
Our June Essay Contest invites AMSA members to reflect on how they, as future physicians, can support their patients’ decisions in the exam room—free from political influence—while considering how landmark rulings like Dobbs have reshaped their approach to decision-making, not only in reproductive care but also in other aspects of life. How do political and legal changes influence your medical education, your community, and your understanding of ethical patient care? What is the impact of these decisions on both a personal and professional level?
- Submission Deadline Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 11:59pmPT
- June Contest Winners – will be notified by June 17 and announced publicly June 24, 2025
Submit Essays Here
August Contest Theme - Abortion Care Solidarity
August Contest Theme
Abortion Care Solidarity
Solidarity has long been a driving force in movements for justice, from voting rights to reproductive freedom. The ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 marked a significant victory for women’s rights in the U.S., but it did not extend voting rights to all women. Black women, Indigenous women, Asian immigrants, and Latina women continued to face systemic barriers due to racist laws and policies. In the 1960-70’s in Chicago, women in Jane united in solidarity providing over 11,000 underground abortions to those in need until the Roe decision. In 1994, during the height of the Clinton Administration’s efforts to reform health care, Black women gathered in Chicago outlining what was at stake for them and their communities, leading to the development of the Reproductive Justice framework. This history serves as a reminder that true equity is not achieved through legal victories alone—it requires ongoing, collective action.
Today, as we face persistent and emerging threats to abortion rights and reproductive justice, we recognize that solidarity around abortion care is essential. This contest invites AMSA members to explore what solidarity in abortion and reproductive health care looks like:
- How can future physicians, healthcare providers, and advocates come together to protect and expand abortion access for diverse communities?
- What can we learn from past and present movements for justice to build a more inclusive and equitable future for reproductive rights?
- How can future physicians play a role in ensuring compassionate, accessible abortion care?
Essays should reflect on the power of collective action, the intersections of health equity and justice, and the responsibilities of those involved in medical education, training, and practice to make meaningful contributions to the fight for reproductive freedom.
Abortion Care Solidarity Resource to Explore – link
- Submission Deadline – Sunday, July 13, 2025 at 11:59pmPT
- August Contest Winners – will be notified by August 11 and announced publicly August 18, 2025
Submit Essays Here
September Contest Theme - Breaking Down Abortion Care Stigma
September Contest Theme
Breaking Down Abortion Care Stigma
Abortion care stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to accessing safe and compassionate reproductive health care. Misinformation, cultural taboos, and restrictive policies continue to fuel shame, silence, and fear around abortion care, impacting patients, providers, and communities alike. As future physicians, medical students have a unique role in dismantling these barriers, advocating for evidence-based care, and ensuring that abortion care is recognized as an essential part of healthcare.
In recognition of September 28, International Safe Abortion Day, this essay contest invites medical students to explore the role of healthcare professionals in breaking down abortion care stigma.
- How do societal attitudes and institutional policies contribute to stigma, and how can medical professionals work to shift these narratives?
- What strategies can be used to normalize abortion care in medical education, clinical practice, and public discourse?
- How have you, or those around you, witnessed or experienced abortion stigma, and what role does solidarity play in overcoming it?
Essays should reflect on the intersections of stigma, access, and advocacy while exploring how future physicians can help build a culture of respect, empathy, and reproductive justice that recognizes abortion care and those who provide that care as essential to our communities.
Abortion Care Stigma Resource to Explore: What is abortion stigma?
- Submission Deadline – Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 11:59pmPT
- September Contest Winners – will be notified by September 22 and announced publicly September 28, 2025
Submit Essays Here
Summer 2025 Essay Contest Guidelines
SUMMER 2025 ESSAY CONTEST GUIDELINES:
Submission Requirements: The AMSA Reproductive Health Project Summer 2025 Essay Contests are open to All AMSA members. Essay content MUST have a U.S. focus or context. Submissions must be an original, unpublished essay of no more than 750 words and must be written in English. Members may submit 1 essay for each of the three Contests, but authors who submit essays in multiple contests can win only 1 prize during this Summer 2025 Essay Contest Series.
Publication/Promotion: Prizes will be awarded to selected essay authors for each of the 3 contests in the Summer 2025 series. Winners for the first contest will be announced publicly June 24, August 18, September 28, 2025.
Selection Criteria: A panel of judges, to include a mix of medical students, AMSA Reproductive Health Project Mentors and Staff will review submissions from each competition and select 3 winning essays for each of the 3 contests in the Summer 2025 series. Essays will be judged on the following equally weighted criteria:
- Content and connection to the topic
- Quality of writing and clarity of thought
- Novelty of the message
- Opportunity for others to learn
Questions: Email rhp@amsa.org