Sexual & Reproductive Health
Committee
Who we are
Our Mission
The mission of the Sexual & Reproductive Health Committee is to:
1. Focus on sexual and reproductive health priorities identified by members of the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers; and
2. To act as a source of expertise and support for the broader refugee, immigrant and migrant (RIM) health community.
Our Vision
The vision of the Sexual & Reproductive Health Committee is to create a forum for health professionals serving RIM communities to connect and work towards sexual and reproductive health and rights frameworks through increasing providers’ knowledge and capacity.
Learn More About Our Objectives
Download the committee charter to learn more about our objectives.
Recommended Resources
General Sexual & Reproductive Health
Curated list of health resources for Afghan communities, including SRH
Reproductive Justice Framework
Repronet: Refugee Women’s Reproductive Health Resources
World Health Organization: Sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence
Women’s Refugee Commission: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Sexual and reproductive health and rights of refugee and migrant women: gynecologists’ and obstetricians’ responsibilities
Contraception
Sexual and Reproductive Health for Afghans
Contraceptive options videos in English and Dari; SRH glossary translated in Dari and Pashto; and birth control methods chart translated in Dari and Pashto
Cultural Humility
Pregnancy & Birth
Medlineplus
Handouts on pregnancy, what to expect giving birth, how to care for newborn in many languages
Screening
Developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Screening Guidance is intended to provide clinicians with best practices for diagnosing STIs in refugees, and describe how to discuss safe sex practices, consent, local laws concerning age of consent for sexual intercourse, contraception and family planning, and standard gynecological care with refugees.
Women's Wellness
Women’s Wellness from the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants & Migrants
Encourage Afghan women to take an active role in their preventative healthcare visits by requesting an interpreter, asking questions, and preparing them for what to expect. Includes materials translated into Dari and Pashto.
Afghan Men Supporting Women’s Wellness
Afghan men are often involved in healthcare decisions with their wives or female family members. This version of our materials has been culturally validated to ensure relevance to this audience.
Leadership & Members
Committee Chairs
Nicole Bichir, MD, FAAP
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Louisville
Director of Refugee Health, Norton Children’s Medical Group Nulu
Brittany DiVito MPH, MSN, FNP-BC
Family Nurse Practitioner
Director & Clinical Assistant Professor, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University
Members
Courtney Ali, BSN, RN, CLC
Family HealthCare, Red River Women’s Clinic
Jacob Atem, PhD MPH
Southern Sudan Healthcare Organization
Kunga Denzongpa, PhD, MPH
Data and Evaluation Manager
Community-Campus Partnerships for Health
Erin Elszasz, MSN, RN, CNL
Registered Nurse
Refugee Health Program, Baltimore Medical System
Meghan Geary, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Refugee Clinic Director, Center for Primary Care
Kristin Kohlmann, MScIH, M3
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Brynne Ridgewell, M3
Mercer University School of Medicine
Colleen Payton, PhD MPH CPH MCHES
Assistant Professor of Public Health
Moravian University
Parisa Pirooz, MA, JD
Refugee Integration
Diana Ceballos Robles, MD
Post-doctoral Fellow, National Clinician Scholars Program
Clinical Instructor, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of California San Francisco
Nicholas Rummell, MA
Associate Professor of History
Pellissippi State Community College
ABD Doctoral Candidate in History and Public Health
University of Memphis
Join our committee
Are you a current Society member interested in joining the Sexual & Reproductive Health Committee? Apply here.
With thanks to the Michelson Foundation for their support of the Society’s SRH work.
Become a Member
The Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers is a one-of-a-kind association dedicated to any (not just healthcare providers) professionals interested in refugee and immigrant health in North America and abroad. Become a member today to receive access to an influential network, educational opportunities and resources, and more.