Division of Complex Family Planning
The Division of Complex Family Planning is committed to improving the health of individuals, families, and communities by providing evidence-based family planning care in a compassionate and non-judgmental environment that honors each person’s autonomy. We respect and trust people to make the best decisions for their own health.
We acknowledge that contraception, abortion, and gynecology has historically been practiced unfairly and with harm to communities of color and those experiencing poverty. We work towards reproductive health equity by partnering with our patients and providing informed choices about contraception and pregnancy options, helping each individual achieve their reproductive goals.
We are obstetrician-gynecologists with subspecialty training in Complex Family Planning and are proud to be the only such division in the Upper Midwest. Our physicians are active in the national Society of Family Planning and are dedicated advocates for safe and compassionate access to comprehensive reproductive health care locally, regionally, and nationally. We work across the University and with our community partners to train the next generation of providers devoted to ensuring the highest quality sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Patient Care
Whether considering pregnancy options or contraceptive choices, we know accurate information with compassionate support is really important. We are committed to listening, providing education and expert consultation, and supporting your health care choices. We understand that nearly all people use contraception at some time in their lives and nearly 1 in 4 people will have an induced abortion. And we know all folks, women, trans men and gender expansive folks deserve to access care without fear of judgement or stigma. We collaborate with other subspecialists: Maternal-Fetal-Medicine, other medical sub-specialists, Certified Nurse Midwives, Social Work, Psychologists and more to ensure you have the best interdisciplinary team to care for you.
We provide many types of care in our Complex Family Planning Clinic.
First and second trimester pregnancy termination
- Medication abortion
- Procedural abortion in the office or the operating room
Management of pregnancy loss, miscarriage, or abnormal or ectopic pregnancy
- Using medications
- Procedures in the office or the operating room
Contraceptive care
Reversible and permanent choices
- Counseling about method options
- Placement and removal of intrauterine devices and implants
- Surgery to remove or block tubes in the operating room
Expertise in care for people with complex medical conditions
- Heart, lung, and kidney conditions
- Neurologic and autoimmune disorders
- People who have had an organ transplant, cancer, or bariatric surgery
Focus on adolescent reproductive health
Education
The primary educational focus of the Division of Complex Family Planning is to train highly skilled clinicians to advance comprehensive reproductive health. We teach a diverse group of learners, including medical students, residents, and fellows. We impart the importance of safe family planning services to protect women’s health and empower patients locally and globally.
We direct our obstetrics and gynecology resident rotation in complex family planning in the first year, providing education through direct patient care, didactic learning, and a focus on advocacy opportunities for interested residents. Our Ryan Residency Program curriculum focuses on evidence-based family planning care.
Research
Our faculty are committed to innovations in abortion and contraceptive care research. The Division is actively involved in clinical trials for new contraceptive methods for people with a uterus and for people who make sperm. We also investigate new ways to diagnose sexually transmitted infections. Our Complex Family Planning physicians have led research that translates into national change in clinical practice for both contraception and abortion. Complex Family Planning research is paramount to ensuring patient autonomy and choice and to continue to advance sexual and reproductive health for all people.
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M Health Fairview Women's Clinic - Minneapolis
Riverside Professional Building
606 24th Ave. S, Floor 3, Ste 300
Minneapolis 55454
Appointments: 612‑273‑7111
Information: 612‑273‑7111
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Faculty
Division Director
Christy Boraas, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor
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Jessika Ralph, MD, MS, Assistant Professor
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