From friends of Dr. Stewart:

I will miss very much Felicia's wonderful combination of passion, caring, vision, humor, and graciousness. These were always palpable in the way she dealt with patients, public health policy, colleagues, and friends. I was lucky enough to have been the director of CDC's Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention Program when Felicia served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs. Had it not been for Felicia's commitment, energy, and delightful ability to reach out across disciplines, turf, and organizational silos to pull people together, we would not have been able to establish this nation's chalmydia/infertility prevention program in a way that linked the efforts and spirit of family planning and public health. Felicia was an extraordinary person. My husband, Jeff Harris, and I send our warmest wishes to her family. Judith Wasserheit, MD, MPH Director, HIV Vaccine Trials Network, Professor of Medicine University of Washington Submitted on: Fri 6/2/2006 10:31 PM

I don't think Dr. Stewart really knew me but I certainly knew her. As the chld psychiatrist at the Sacramento Children's Home for 25 years, from the 70s thru the 90s, I referred numerous abused, frightened, and angry girls to her. There was not a single one who didn't come back feeling better and more empowered after their visit. What a wonderful person. Thanks Dr. Stewart, we'll always remember you. Stewart Teal, MD Clinical Professor, UC Davis Dept. of Psychiatry Submitted on Wed 5/31/2006 3:59 PM

Fifteen years ago I became inspired by Felicia to help continue her vision of "moving mountains" by getting medical schools to teach about abortion and public health. As a member of the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA), she was part of the team of experts who guided the process and production of what was AMWA's and is now ARHP's Reproductive Health Model Curriculum. Felicia provided the technical expertise for the Contraception Module, but more importantly, she became one of the strongest advocates for making sure that medical schools teach the "public health aspects" of reproductive health. While the curriculum project was already pushing the limits by including abortion as an educational module, Felicia took our work further by provocatively challenging us to put firmly in place educational objectives and content to teach future doctors about the politics of reproductive health. It was a great honor to have worked with Felicia on building the movement to transform health care provider education and I will miss her warm words of encouragement. I will also continue to be inspired by her visionary spirit which lives on in so many of us. Susan Eisendrath, MPH Medical Education Consultant (Former Director of AMWA's RHI) Submitted on Wed 5/31/2006 1:09 PM

I fell in love with Dr. Felicia Stewart from my leadership training in San Francisco conducted by the Institute for Public Health in 2004. The moment I read that she was gone the very first sentence that captured my mind was from her presentation: "Felicia's mother said" I wonder! There must be countless people like me who have been influenced by her Mom's vision and would continue spreading the message across our next generations around the world. Felicia! We all love you! May Allah bless us all. Dr Tariq Rahim, MBBS RH-AID Pakistan, International Family Planning Leadership Program and Institute for Public health Submitted on Wednesday 5/31/2006 11:09 AM

I am so sorry; I did not know Dr. Stewart had left us. I had the opportunity to meet her at the International Consortium for Emergency Contraception (ICEC) meetings, and she was so inspiring, committed, wise, and humble. She had a luminous smile, that only a great person can give. I will miss her, as I miss Charlotte Ellertson. We must know we have a deep depth with women like these, and we have to learn how to pass on what they thaught to us. Raffaela Schiavon Ermani, MD General Director, Ipas Mexico Submitted on Tuesday 5/30/2006 9:16 PM

I am a nobody FNP who lives and works in a remote rural area in California. Dr. Stewart touched my life and heart over 15 years ago at a CT conference, and focused me on the real need in my community: delayed and planned childbearing. She inspired me to inspire our young women to take control of their reproductive lives and I can tell you that it has changed the face of our community. Thank you Dr. Stewart from the depths of my heart...oh yes, I will miss her and her wicked sense of humor! Jane Keeley, FNP Long Valley Health Center Submitted on: Tuesday 5/30/2006 9:04 PM

Felicia was truly a pioneer, a scientist and a great human being. I will be with you in spirit. She will be missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing her. Her untimely death is a great loss for the cause of reproductive freedom. Kamran S. Moghissi, MD, FACOG, FACS Professor (Emeritus) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Wayne State University Submitted on: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 5:09 PM

The tragic loss of Dr. Felicia Stewart has greatly saddened her colleagues and friends at Family Health International (FHI), many of whom had known and served with her on various advisory committees or boards over the years. Since 2000, she had chaired Family Health International's Technical Advisory Committee for Contraceptive Technology and Family Planning Research, guiding that committee through difficult deliberations that would affect the reproductive health of women and men around the world. A very renowned obstetrician and gynecologist, Felicia was a visionary who worked tirelessly in the reproductive health field and was a strong advocate for the reproductive rights of women. A woman of wonderful charm, compassion, and an infectious sense of humor, she touched the lives of many and had a wide circle of friends. She had an amazing presence and sense of calmness and direction in any given setting. Felicia was an extraordinary woman who cared deeply about the well being of humanity for which she will be long remembered by those who knew her. On behalf of Family Health International, heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Felicia Stewart. We will miss her in so many ways. FHI will send a donation in Felicia's memory to NARAL. Albert J. Siemens, PhD Family Health International Submitted on: Mon 5/22/2006 1:38 PM

Felicia Stewart (and her husband Gary) put me in an enviable position in the 70's-80's. I could write about them, and I could also be their patient. Pretty fancy for cow-town Sacramento. I remember once when the two of them were talking over a decision about whether to biopsy one of my breasts, which were always full of lumps. First, it was amazing to have two terrific docs discussing their differences about a medical call in the presence of their patient. Gary said the breast lumps clearly were benign, nothing to worry about. Felicia responded that she had known women who'd died of breast cancer after a doc had dediced they were just everyday cysts. Of course, Felicia carried the day, and I had the biopsy. Even in the past few months she was kind enough to send along advice about the treatment of my multiple sclerosis. The loss of this woman takes my breath away. Diane Divoky, MA Former Sacramento Bee medical writer Submitted on: Fri 5/19/2006 10:13 AM

I met Dr. Stewart as a new NP over 10 years ago at a Contraceptive Technology conference. I was warmed by the way she addressed everyone present as if they could really make a difference in a woman's life regardless of the role they played in healthcare. She empowered me to step forward and verbalize my beliefs about a woman's right to reproductive healthcare and her right to choose. I am proud to have had her as an instructor and am grateful for her influence on my career and the careers of many others in supporting and empowering women. Lorraine W , MSN, CRNP, CEN Nightingale Health and Wellness Services Submitted on: Tue 5/16/2006 9:12 PM

Felicia was a mentor, friend, sage, and maternal figure in my life. I lived with her for six months in 1998, where our routine included listening to classical music, watching The NewsHour and then discussing politics at dinner. On Thursday nights, we were religious watchers of ER, and most Saturdays, she was off to Planned Parenthood to provide abortions. I was always in awe of how much she was willing and able to accomplish for others. At work, she was a passionate, dedicated woman, who still had time for bringing colleagues together over scones in the morning and chocolate in the afternoon. She introduced me to San Francisco, the opera, and The Mists Of Avalon, and I am missing her everyday. Jacqui Koenig Submitted on: Tue 5/16/2006 7:43 PM

I knew Felicia's name long before I knew her. We first really got to know each other at a Contraceptive Technology (CT) retreat in Florida over 15 years ago. It was work and family time for all of us. Both were always extraordinarily important to Felicia. Her approach, whether it was concerning family, friends, or work, was always done with intelligence, compassion, and an insightful sense of humor. I can see her skipping into Disneyland after one of the CT conferences—much to her adolescent children's embarrassment. She was amused that they weren't but stopped anyway. Before she found her own place when she became the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs (DASPA), I offered her my home until she could get settled in DC. She arrived on Halloween night as I recall. I looked out the window and I found her walking up and down the block looking for the correct address, carrying all her bags--all her bags. Typical Felicia, though exhausted and frustrated with DC cabbies lack of direction and the long trip from the West Coast, she offered hugs and her own amusement at the whole scenario. She always found something to laugh about. Felicia, you will live on for many reasons. One reason will be because I have stolen some of your jokes. I always give you credit. Who else would have discovered the hormones dutigen and vacuugen? These hormones decline at menopause so that you no longer feel dutiful to silly things and don't feel compelled to vacuum everything. Who else would have discovered that PMS is a condition in which, for some women, it just means they are overly reasonable in the follicular phase? I will miss you. You will live on in the hearts and minds of many. Susan Wysocki, RNC, NP, FAANP President and CEO, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) Submitted on: Thu 5/11/2006 2:02 PM

I just learned today of Felicia's passing and I'm terribly saddened for the world has lost an exuberant and compassionate fighter. She took my many phone calls and questions with enthusiasm and good cheer. She helped us bring to the screen on the shows "ER" and "SVU" important issues on a wide range of reproductive health topics. She touched me and she touched millions of viewers because she cared so deeply about women's health. What a wonderful person. Neal Baer, MD Executive Producer, "Law & Order: SVU" Submitted on: Tue 5/9/2006 11:46 PM

 

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