he Women’s Options Center (WOC) offers high quality, sensitive, confidential abortion services and conducts clinical research to advance knowledge and improve abortion care, and train future generations of abortion providers.The WOC provides culturally-appropriate family planning and counseling services and has on staff Hispanic/Latino and African-American physicians, nurses, and counselors. The WOC is now the largest provider in Northern California of mid- and late trimester abortions. The services provided by the Options Center are becoming increasingly important as the number of other providers steadily decreases.
In addition to surgical procedures, the WOC pioneered medical abortion (using medication) and effective pain relief duringprocedures. Research continues on effective ways to increase post-abortion contraception. The clinic continues its mission of training future generations of providers, training University of California San Francisco (UCSF) students, residents, and fellows as well as those from other medical schools that do not have training programs. The residents and fellows are trained in highly valued skills needed to provide women with continued access to second-trimester abortions.
Established in 1976, the clinic is located in a secure and private unit within San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (SFGH), a major tertiary care hospital staffed by faculty physicians of UCSF nursing, social work, and other staff and administrators of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The Women’s Options Center’s location within SFGH allows even the most medically complicated and high risk patient to be treated in a safe environment with comprehensive services readily available. It is a premier clinical service, and a model for hospitals and clinics throughout the country. Limited access to abortion providers elsewhere in Northern California causes women from other cities to seek care at the WOC.
In the fall of 2008, renovations to the Woman’s Option Center were completed. The new design improves patient flow and provides a private waiting room, an additional procedure room, a central nurse station and an enlarged spacious recovery area. Extraordinary floral artwork by San Francisco artist Neil Levine offers a beautiful and contemplative focus for patients and staff. Finishes and colors were selected to make this uniquely a place for women and sets a standard for healing and supportive spaces.