HJ International

Health Justice International can be described as a mission-driven, for-profit organization that stands at the intersection of social justice and conscious consumerism. With a core focus on advancing human rights and equity, we operate with the belief that business can be a powerful tool for societal change.

Founder - Autobiography

A Change In Direction

My career didn’t start the way I initially imagined. Like many young people eager to make a difference, I was drawn to the idea of studying criminal justice. I believed that by working within the system, I could help guide people and make a meaningful impact in their lives. But as I delved deeper into the field, something shifted. The more I learned about the U.S. judicial and carceral systems, the more I realized how difficult—if not impossible—it would be to truly interrupt these systems from within. The rigidity of the structures and the overwhelming forces at play made me question whether I could actually create the change I wanted to see.

It was during this time that I was introduced to public health as a framework. Public health offered something that criminal justice couldn’t: a broader, more holistic view of the factors that shape a person’s life. It wasn’t just about laws and enforcement—it was about understanding the social, economic, and environmental contexts that people are positioned inside of. This realization opened my eyes to a new way of thinking and set me on a path that would come to define my career.

Lessons Learned

My college years were a time of intense learning, not just academically, but personally as well. I took more courses in public health, immersing myself in the theories and practices that would become the foundation of my work. But it wasn’t just the classroom that taught me. It was during these years that I faced one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I got someone pregnant, and together, we had to navigate the difficult and emotional process of deciding what to do next.

Living in the Midwest, where the social and political climate around abortion is fraught, made the situation even more complex. Ultimately, my partner had an abortion, a decision that was deeply personal and incredibly challenging. This experience forced me to confront the realities of reproductive health in a way I never had before. It was no longer just an abstract concept; it was something I was living through.

Family Ties and Personal Revelations

As I went through this experience, I began to learn more about my own family’s history with abortion. It was eye-opening to discover that my mother, my sister, and other close family members had also faced similar situations. Each of their stories was different, yet they all shared a common thread: the compounded disadvantages and struggles they faced as a result of their circumstances. These revelations were both heartbreaking and empowering. They made me realize just how deeply rooted these issues were, not just in my life, but in the lives of those closest to me.

The amalgamation of these personal experiences and family stories lit a fire in me. I became desperate to find solutions, to help others navigate these same challenges with more support and understanding than I or my family had. It was no longer just about my career—it was about something much bigger. It was about making a difference for people who were going through the same things we had, and doing everything in my power to make their paths a little easier.

A Call to Action

With this newfound drive, I threw myself into public health, focusing on reproductive health. I knew that I couldn’t change the past, but I could work to ensure that others had better options and more support than my family did. Every project I’ve undertaken, every organization I’ve been a part of, has been driven by this desire to create real, meaningful change.

Today, my work continues to be fueled by these personal connections. The challenges I faced in college, the stories I learned from my family, and the realization that change often has to come from outside the systems we’ve been taught to trust—all of these have shaped who I am and what I do. I am committed to making a difference, not just for myself or my family, but for everyone who finds themselves in these difficult situations.

A Mentor's Influence

When I first began my career in reproductive health, I didn’t realize how profound an impact my time with Dr. Leroy H. Carhart would have on my life. For four years, I worked closely with him at his family planning clinics in Nebraska and Maryland. During those years, I was deeply involved in every aspect of the clinics—procedural abortion care, fundraising, community outreach, security, administrative and clinical operations. It was an immersive experience that exposed me to the full spectrum of what it takes to provide reproductive health services in an environment that was hostile and unforgiving and in places where people were seeking abortion care when everyone had turned them away.

Nebraska was not an easy place to provide abortion care. The social and political climate was fiercely opposed to what we were doing. I quickly realized that providing these essential services in such a setting required not only skill and knowledge, but a tremendous amount of courage, resilience, and grit. It was in this environment that I truly cut my teeth, facing challenges that would shape my approach to this work for the rest of my career.

One of the most significant and harrowing experiences I had while working with Dr. Carhart was learning about the aftermath of the murder of his mentor and close friend, Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller was shot and killed at his church for being a later abortion provider—a stark reminder of the very real dangers that come with standing for justice. This event, more than anything, showed me the extreme lengths to which opponents of abortion care would go to intimidate and silence those who dared to provide this care.

But the violence didn’t stop there. I also learned of a devastating arson attack on Dr. Carhart's home, where more than seventeen of his beloved animals were killed. The shock and grief of losing these innocent lives were palpable, and it was a chilling reminder that those who oppose our work are willing to go to any lengths to cause pain and suffering. There was also an arson at the clinic itself. These events further solidified the brutal reality of what it means to be on the front lines of the fight for reproductive rights.

Despite these horrifying acts of violence, Dr. Carhart’s response to these tragedies was what left the deepest impression on me. Rather than giving in to fear, he remained steadfast in his commitment to his work. He wen't from providing abortion care part time to dedicating the rest of his life providing abortion care and training others to expand the provision of care globally. He taught me that resilience is not just about enduring hardships; it’s about refusing to waver in your beliefs, even when faced with intimidation and violence. Through him, I learned that our belief set must remain unshakeable, that doing the right thing is never easy, and that the fight for reproductive freedom requires a militancy in conviction that few are willing to maintain.

Perseverance in the Face of Adversity

After everything I had experienced and learned while working in Nebraska, my journey with Dr. Carhart took another critical turn when we faced a major setback in Germantown, Maryland. The clinic there had been a vital part of providing abortion care as well as part of the financial infrastructure that maintained abortion care availability in Nebraska, but our work was abruptly interrupted when the building’s owner made the decision to sell the property to anti-abortion opposition. It was a calculated move, designed to shut us down and silence the services we were providing to the community.

But if there’s one thing I had learned from my time with Dr. Carhart, it was that setbacks and opposition, no matter how severe, would never deter us from our mission. We weren’t about to let this victory for the opposition keep us from continuing our work. So, we regrouped, and with determination, we set out to establish a new clinic, this time in Bethesda, Maryland.

Opening the Bethesda clinic was no small feat. It required not just a physical relocation, but a renewal of our commitment to ensuring that those who needed care would still have access to it. The move was a clear message: no matter how hard the opposition tried to shut us down, we would find a way to persevere. The Bethesda clinic became a symbol of our resilience and our unwavering dedication to providing care, even in the face of relentless adversity. I was tasked with driving medical supplies and equipment from Omaha, Nebraska to Bethesda, Maryland to ensure we were patient ready. I remember we received death threats that shook me to my core on my drive out to Maryland. Luckily, we had federal and local support. It was a surreal experience being swarmed by protestors and surrounded by the FBI, U.S. Marshalls, police, and bomb squads for providing compassionate medical care to patients who needed us. I recall being in tears for fear of losing my life simply for helping open a clinical lifeline to patients who desperately needed care. The clinic remains operational to this day.

Today, I carry that same militancy in my beliefs. My experiences under the mentorship of Dr. Carhart, have made me who I am: someone who refuses to back down, who cannot be swayed by opposition, and who will continue to fight for what is right, no matter the cost-even if it means facing the gravest of consequences. This resolve is the foundation upon which I have built my career, and it continues to drive me in everything I do.

Looking Forward

As I look back on my journey, I can see how every step led me to where I am today. The desire to help people, the shift to public health, the personal challenges, and the family stories—they all come together to form the foundation of my work. But this is just the beginning. There is still so much to be done, and I am more determined than ever to keep pushing forward. My story is not just about where I’ve been, but where I’m going. And I’m excited to see what comes next.

Pictured

LeRoy "Lee" Carhart & Founder Michael Saenz

Dr. Carhart - Learn More

We dedicate our services to people in honor of LeRoy H. Carhart, M.D.

Health Justice International was born from a desire for social change that was heavily influenced by Dr. LeRoy H. Carhart, M.D. Lee was a fierce abortion provider and advocate.

Dr. Carhart completed his surgical residency at Hahnemann Hospital and its affiliates, and served as Chief Resident from 1977 to 1978 at Atlantic City Medical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Dr. Carhart retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving 21 years in the United States Air Force. He went on to work full-time providing abortion care, teaching other providers in the techniques of first, second, and third trimester abortion, and acting as a consultant to abortion and family planning clinics throughout the United States.

None of us imagined I would go on to spend the first four years of my career in abortion care under his mentorship at his practices in Nebraska and Maryland. He was a complicated person whom I grew to love and care for. He provided my family with abortion care long before I knew what it was. With Dr. Carhart's death on April 28th, 2023, came the loss of a giant in the abortion care movement.

It was an honor to stand on your shoulders and learn beside you.

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