Sarah Traxler, MD, MSHP Honored with 2022 First a Physician Award
Sarah Traxler, MD, MSHP Recipient of 2022 First a Physician Award
Responding to the enthusiastic nomination from her physician colleagues, Advocates for Better Health (ABH) presented Sarah Traxler, MD, with its prestigious 2022 First a Physician Award at the December 12th meeting of the Board of Directors.
Established in 2007, ABH’s “First a Physician” Award recognizes a member of Advocates for Better Health who selflessly gives of their time and energy to improve the health of their patients, has made a positive impact on the practice of medicine and the medical community’s ability to practice quality medicine, or has been instrumental in improving the lives of others in our community.
In presenting this award, Dr. Zeke McKinney, ABH President, cited several of her nomination recommendations noting that Dr. Traxler's drive and mission to provide and advocate for quality and safe healthcare for all patients, but especially those who face reproductive injustices is both exemplary and awe-inspiring.
Working tirelessly, Dr. Traxler fights for access to reproductive healthcare for patients across the Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) region through the pandemic. She created low-touch abortion procedures maximizing patient safety and access and also ensuring COVID-19 safety. During the pandemic, Dr. Traxler increased access to telemedicine for her patients.
Dr. Traxler exemplifies physician advocacy and service. Minnesota would not be the sanctuary for reproductive healthcare that it is without her tireless efforts these past years. Further, she does this humbly, only seeking the reward of knowing patients are able to exercise their right to exemplary reproductive healthcare.
As a member of the ABH Board of Directors since 2018, Dr. Traxler is the immediate past-president. Becky Timm, ABH CEO, shared, “Under Dr. Traxler’s leadership, Advocates for Better Health is a stronger organization dedicated to creating a healthy, equitable, and thriving state by engaging physicians and medical students in community-driven public health initiatives.”
Serving as Chief Medical Officer of PPNCS, Dr. Traxler received her medical degree from the Oregon Health Sciences University of School of Medicine in Portland, OR, completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Minnesota, and a fellowship in Family Planning at the University of Pennsylvania. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
About Dr. Sarah Traxler, MD, MSHP:
Dr. Traxler serves as Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States. She is a board-certified obstetrician gynecologist and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She joined Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota in 2015 as Associate Medical Director, Director of Family Planning Services and in 2017 became Medical Director. She came to Planned Parenthood after completing a two-year Fellowship in Contraceptive Research and Family Planning at the University of Pennsylvania where she also earned a Master of Science in Health Policy. Prior to her fellowship, she completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Minnesota. She earned her medical degree from Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, OR where she became dedicated to reproductive rights through work with Medical Students for Choice.
Before attending medical school, Dr. Traxler spent several years working for non-profits dedicated to serving the homeless and was a strong advocate of women’s reproductive rights and health care access. After graduating cum laude with a B.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Tulane University in 1997, she worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA with battered women and homeless youth in Texas. She then worked as an HIV Specialist where she assisted underserved populations while volunteering with groups dedicated to women’s reproductive rights and access to abortion, including the Rosie Jimenez Fund and Planned Parenthood. Dr. Traxler has special interests in reproductive health policy and healthcare for the underserved.