Planned Parenthood Ousts President Leana Wen in ‘Secret Meeting’
In this Jan. 27, 2014, file photo, Dr. Leana Wen pauses during a TEDx speech at the University of Nevada in Reno, Nev. Dr. Wen was ousted Tuesday as president of Planned Parenthood after only 10 months in the job.
Planned Parenthood removed Leana Wen from her position Tuesday after she had served only ten months as president.
The Planned Parenthood board voted Wen out of her position Tuesday and temporarily replaced her with the co-founder of the progressive Perception Institute, Alexis McGill Johnson, according to The New York Times.
McGill will temporarily serve as the acting president and chief executive of both Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
“I am proud to step in to serve as acting president and facilitate a smooth leadership transition in this critical moment for Planned Parenthood and the patients and communities we serve,’’ Ms. McGill Johnson said in a statement, according to the Times.
“I thank Dr. Wen for her service and her commitment to patients.”
Wen became president of Planned Parenthood of America in September, the Times reports.
Since then, she has advocated for unrestricted access to abortion and fought back against many states’ restrictive abortion legislation.
“I just learned that the @PPFA Board ended my employment at a secret meeting,” Wen tweeted Tuesday. “We were engaged in good faith negotiations about my departure based on philosophical differences over the direction and future of Planned Parenthood. My statement to come shortly.”
I just learned that the @PPFA Board ended my employment at a secret meeting. We were engaged in good faith negotiations about my departure based on philosophical differences over the direction and future of Planned Parenthood. My statement to come shortly.
— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) July 16, 2019
Update:
Wen posted two statements to Twitter about her departure and her philosophical differences with board members. “The new Board leadership has determined that the priority of Planned Parenthood moving forward is to double down on abortion rights advocacy,” she wrote.
My statement stepping down as President/CEO of @PPFA and President of @PPAct. pic.twitter.com/WJ3EBgJIAy
— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) July 16, 2019
To all my colleagues at Planned Parenthood, the tens of thousands of dedicated people who are on the frontlines every day, providing life-saving, life-transforming care and fighting to protect access to that care: you are my heroes. Thank you for what you do. pic.twitter.com/6N4RMiTQAG
— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) July 16, 2019
Abby Johnson, a former director of a Planned Parenthood abortion center, tweeted to Wen.
Leana, I know exactly how Planned Parenthood works and know ALL about their secret meetings. If you ever want to talk about your experience (in complete confidence), I’m here. I will help in any way I can through your transition. ❤️
— Abby Johnson (@AbbyJohnson) July 16, 2019
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