On Friday, January 19, 2001, Dr. Anthony Levatino, a former abortionist who is now a pro-life advocate, spoke to a completely packed lecture hall on the campus of Eastern Virginia Medical School. The diverse audience included active pro-life students, members of the VSHL Tidewater Chapter and of other local pro-life organizations, and also many who call themselves “pro-choice.”

Dr. Levatino shared his personal story as to how he took up a lucrative abortion practice out of “good intentions” and would abandon it years later. Since his wife Cecilia has been pro-life from the outset, she and Dr. Levatino chose to avoid the abortion topic altogether to maintain a semblance of marital harmony. A major turning point came about with their coping with the sudden accidental death of their daughter. Dr. Levatino increasingly realized that he wasn’t just aborting the products of conception, but “someone’s son, someone’s daughter.” He resigned from his Albany, NY abortion practice. Through the friendship of local pro-lifers who knew who he was yet still reached out to him, Dr. Levatino’s involvement in the pro-life movement was assured.

Dr. Levatino devoted the last part of his talk to the topic of RU-486. In addition to the pro-life opposition to it, he believes RU-486 will not work in the U.S. because of the excessive costs of follow-up doctor visits and the potential legal liability from the dire consequences associated with its use.

Within the last several years, Dr. Levatino, with the close support of his wife, started the Physicians’ Life Alliance. This growing organization not only provides a network for pro-life physicians but also valuable resources and other support for pro-life medical students taking a stand for life in their respective schools.

Published in VSHL Lifesaver, April 2001