The Reproductive Advocacy and Diversity in Advanced Nursing Training (RADIANT) Fellowship provides FREE training to Advanced Practice Clinicians in Illinois to manage abortion care. Heading link
The RADIANT Fellowship aims to create a sustainable model for advancing abortion care statewide by firstly providing targeted education to interested Illinois-licensed healthcare providers and supporting the rollout of reproductive services to close gaps in access.
Training advanced practice clinicians (APCs)—i.e., midwives and advanced practice registered nurses—to safely provide medical and procedural abortion reduces costs and complications for patients and the health care system. This free program is also open to physician (MD/DO) and physician associate/assistant applicants.
In 2023, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed reproductive rights protections into law, affirming medical and procedural management of abortion are part of the legal scope of care for certified nurse-midwives and advanced practice registered nurses in Illinois.
The safety and quality of abortion care provided by APCs is well-established in the literature and supported by national professional organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the National Abortion Federation, the American Public Health Association, the World Health Organization and the American College of Nurse Midwives.
APCs currently provide procedural and/or medication abortions in 23 states.
The RADIANT Fellowship is supported through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Apply to become a fellow Heading link
The RADIANT fellowship is for NPs, CNMs, MD/DOs and PAs licensed in Illinois who want to expand their ability to offer their patients comprehensive reproductive care. Self-paced online learning paired with a two-day, in-person training in Chicago will equip you with in-depth knowledge to provide medication and procedural abortion, patient counseling, and post-abortion care with confidence and compassion. Spaces are limited. Apply by Jan. 15, 2025.
Goals of the RADIANT Fellowship Heading link
1. Train Providers
Provide training and mentorship for APCs, Physicians and Physician Associates/Assistants in gender-affirming and trauma-informed abortion care.
2. Educate Students
Implementing a standardized abortion curriculum and clinical practice opportunities for APRN students at UIC’s College of Nursing. RADIANT alumni will be offered additional training to serve as preceptors and mentors to the next generation of advanced practice nurses providing abortion care.
3. Expand Access
Offer patient-centered early abortion care to patients through an APC-led abortion clinic at UI Health. This clinic will provide early abortion services and provide clinical training opportunities to RADIANT Fellows and other APCs.