First Coast Connect: Court ordered C-sections

A new investigation published this week in ProPublica begins in the labor and delivery ward of University of Florida Health in Downtown Jacksonville, during Cherise Doyley’s 12th hour of labor. It was also a makeshift courtroom for a three-hour hearing on how Doyley’s baby would be delivered. The story examines two Florida cases in which a judge ultimately compelled pregnant women to undergo surgical births, against their wishes. According to the report, “Pregnancy is the only condition where Florida courts have ruled that a patient can be forced to undergo unwanted treatment.” We ask the reporter behind the story what she learned about medical freedom in Florida and the changing landscape of reproductive rights. Guest: Amy Yurkanin, criminal justice and reproductive health reporter, ProPublica Florida fluoride ban Less than a year after Florida banned adding fluoride to public water systems, another 15 states are poised to do the same. It comes at the same time dentists and researchers are reporting a spike in emergency room visits for preventable tooth problems. We revisit our interview with Dr. James Rutkowski, director of the comprehensive oral implantology program at Jacksonville University, about the implications of state and federal officials’ retreat from the use of fluoride. Guest: Dr. James Rutkowski, director of the comprehensive oral implantology program at Jacksonville University Next Gen For the past 15 years, former WNBA president and PGA senior vice president Donna Orender has hosted an annual conference focused on women’s leadership. This year’s Generation W conference, with the theme “IMPACT,” aims to inspire and challenge women at a one-day event featuring speakers and workshops on topics ranging from human rights to technological resiliency. The event will be held March 27 at the University of North Florida. Guest: Donna Orender, founder and CEO, Generation W  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.