More than 40 OB-GYN physicians, practice staff, and medical students traveled to Raleigh last week to participate in this year’s NC Obstetrical & Gynecological Society (NCOGS) White Coat Day and advocacy event on May 13, 2026.
Society President Amy Bryant, MD, MSCR, opened the program by welcoming attendees and introducing ACOG North Carolina Section Chair Clayton Alfonso, MD, who emphasized the strong partnership between the two organizations and the importance of physician engagement in advocacy efforts.
Attendees also heard from Rep. Grant Campbell, MD (R-Cabarrus), a practicing OB-GYN from Concord and one of only two physicians currently serving in the North Carolina General Assembly. Rep. Campbell shared his perspective on practicing medicine while serving in the legislature and encouraged physicians to remain actively involved in public policy discussions affecting patient care.
NCOGS lobbyist Rob Lammé provided an overview of the major health care issues shaping this year’s short legislative session, as well as insight into North Carolina’s evolving political and policy landscape.
The morning briefing concluded with Society members sharing their personal advocacy experiences.
Kerianne Crockett, MD, FACOG, who practices in Fayetteville, recounted the heartbreaking experience of caring for an incarcerated woman who was forced to deliver her baby while shackled — an event that ultimately ended in tragedy for the infant. The experience inspired Dr. Crockett to pursue systemic reform and contributed to the eventual passage of HB 608 — Dignity for Women Who Are Incarcerated. (Read Dr. Crockett’s full advocacy story from the 2021 NCMS Bulletin here.)
Jenna Beckham, MD, MSPH, FACOG, FACS, discussed her advocacy work following the introduction of SB 20 — Care for Women, Children and Families Act in 2023, which significantly restricted access to abortion care in North Carolina.
Following the morning program, attendees traveled to the General Assembly, where they met in the House chamber with Rep. Tim Reeder, MD (R-Pitt). Physicians and medical students then participated in legislative meetings with numerous lawmakers, including Rep. Sarah Crawford (D-Wake), Rep. Maria Cervania (D-Wake), Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe), and Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham).
During these conversations, physicians emphasized the NCOGS and ACOG NC’s legislative priorities, including increased investment in care for pregnant women with substance abuse disorder, preserving Medicaid eligibility and investment to improve maternal and infant levels of care in North Carolina’s healthcare system. You can find the societies’ 2026 state legislative priorities here.
SAVE THE DATE!
2027 NCOGS/NC SECTION OF ACOG WHITE COAT DAY
MARCH 10, 2027 | 8:30AM-2PM – Learn more
