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Interfaith Health Equity Partnership Committee Committee Member Highlight
Dr. Paul von Oeyen
September 17, 2024
Advancing Health Equity Through the Interfaith Health Equity Partnership
My involvement in the Interfaith Health Equity Partnership Committee stems from the same motivation that drives my career in high-risk obstetrics: the desire to help prospective parents safely navigate pregnancy and give newborns the best chance for a healthy start in life. Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and ensuring that parents have access to quality healthcare is an essential part of that mission. Through this work, I aim to create a more equitable healthcare system that addresses the diverse needs of all families, regardless of their background.
For many, becoming a parent is a key part of the human experience and a way to contribute to the future of society. It’s an awesome responsibility, and sometimes individuals or couples need assistance, through Assisted Reproductive Technologies or adoption. Regardless of the path they take, all families deserve access to high-quality care, free from discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, or economic status.
Equity in healthcare is at the heart of the work of the Interfaith Health Equity Partnership and aligns perfectly with the Interfaith Leadership Council’s (IFLC) mission of fostering belonging across differences. The Interfaith Health Equity Partnership provides an opportunity to recognize, appreciate, and value each individual in their total humanity. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman.”
Everyone, regardless of who they are, deserves access to the highest quality of healthcare, and this committee is working to make this vision a reality. By engaging with various faith communities, we gain a deeper understanding of their unique health needs and how best to address them. This collaboration is crucial to ensuring that healthcare is truly inclusive and respectful of all beliefs.
I have always been a staunch advocate for universal healthcare coverage, especially during pregnancy. I also strongly oppose the imposition of religious views on reproductive choice by politicians. The ability to make informed decisions about one’s reproductive health should be a basic human right, and I will continue to support policies that reflect this belief.
Through my work as a part of the Interfaith Health Equity Partnership, I hope to contribute to a more compassionate, equitable healthcare system—one that truly sees and values every individual.
