Dr. Yashica Robinson, one of the last remaining abortion providers in Alabama, is taking on the state’s abortion ban law alongside Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama.

A Notasulga, Alabama native, Robinson decided she wanted to go into obstetrics when she became a teen mother. She attended medical school at Morehouse School of Medicine and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.

Today Robinson works at her OBGYN office in Huntsville and provides abortion care at that city’s Alabama Women’s Center, one of Alabama’s last three remaining abortion clinics. Both offices are under a constant barrage of protesters, some who film patients entering and exiting and broadcasting them onto Facebook live.

Alabama is one of nine states who passed abortion ban laws this year. In May, Gov. Kay Ivey passed a law banning nearly all abortion, including pregnancies conceived by rape or incest. Robinson is the lone person - along with Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Alabama - who filed a lawsuit challenging the law. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Oct. 29, temporarily prohibiting the law from going into effect until the law makes its way through higher courts.

Abortion is still legal in all 50 states. Alabama’s two other abortion clinics are West Alabama Women’s Center in Tuscaloosa and Reproductive Health Services in Montgomery.

Why did you decide to be one of the plaintiffs in the state’s abortion ban case?

As a physician, I care deeply for my patients. I know how critical abortion care is. I understand how bans like the one Alabama passed hurt patients who are already marginalized the most. The majority of my patients do not have the resources to challenge these unconstitutional laws themselves. Therefore, I feel it is my responsibility to stand and fight on their behalf.

Why did you decide to go into gynecology and then decide to perform the entire spectrum of women’s healthcare?

My passion for helping people led to a career in medicine. Becoming pregnant as a teenager influenced my decision to choose Obstetrics and Gynecology as a specialty. I understand that women need different types of care over the course of their reproductive life span - comprehensive contraceptive education, prenatal care, abortion care without judgment and compassionate management of miscarriages. I did not decide to go into gynecology, and then perform the entire spectrum of women’s healthcare. Abortion care is simply part of the work that defines a specialist who is an Obstetrician-Gynecologist. I chose to care for women, and refused to be bullied into negating part of my duties by leaving abortion care out of my practice.

What needs did you see in the state for more doctors who perform abortions?

There is a critical need to provide more protections for abortion providers and their families against harassment and violence in their communities and at work. The hostility and stigma leads to a shortage of physicians who are trained and willing to provide this needed medical service for patients. It also leads to a dearth of medical professionals willing to provide proper referrals. This hurts patients. There is also a need for local law enforcement agents to be educated and willing to be responsive when abortion providers and their patients are violated.

How does your community/family respond to the work you do?

There are many people in my community who are supportive and appreciate the need for the care that I provide. Of course, there are many who staunchly oppose the work I do, and they work hard to drive me out of the community. It is unfortunate that those against comprehensive health care for women, are the ones who are most vocal and active. My family members are supportive. Any concern they have comes from their concern for my safety.