The team at the Choices Institute of Women’s Health is dedicated to our mission of restoring fundamental human and civil rights while enhancing health outcomes for the communities we serve, exemplifying our unwavering dedication to women’s health and rights in the face of challenging times.
CHOICES Institute of Women’s Health is dedicated to addressing the worldwide demand for women’s and girls’ education and services, fostering their health, well-being, and empowerment to fulfill their potential as complete individuals.
Merle Hoffman has been at the forefront of the reproductive freedom movement since the 1970s. Three years before the Supreme Court legalized abortion through Roe v. Wade, she helped to establish one of the United States’ first abortion centers in Flushing, Queens, and later went on to found CHOICES Women’s Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive women’s medical facilities. For the last five decades, Hoffman has been a steadfast warrior and fierce advocate for every woman’s right to choose when and whether or not to be a mother.
As Executive Director of the CHOICES Institute of Women’s Health, Kelly oversees development, communications, fundraising, and partnerships to advance its mission of empowering women and girls. Her journey in reproductive healthcare began in 2012 when she joined CHOICES Women’s Medical Center, igniting her passion for advancing women’s health and rights. In 2022, Kelly played a pivotal role in restructuring and relaunching the CHOICES Institute to address the urgent global demand for access to healthcare, education, and reproductive rights.
Rebecca is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience working in reproductive health and access. Proudly serving as Director of Community Programs, Rebecca develops and oversees such programs as CHOICES’ Out of Town Program and the CHOICES CAN (Community Aid Network) donation closet. Rebecca also provides outreach and educational programming in the areas of reproductive, sexual, and mental health. A committed advocate for reproductive health, rights, and justice, Rebecca is passionate about developing programs for the Institute that bridge gaps in access, meet needs, and foster strong relationships with the CHOICES community, near and far.
Mary Lou, a dedicated advocate for women’s reproductive rights, represents the CHOICES Institute of Women’s Health through impactful community outreach. She educates and empowers others by delivering presentations on reproductive health at schools, community centers, and health fairs.
John is an accomplished financial leader with over 16 years of experience in nonprofit and healthcare finance. As CFO of CHOICES Institute of Women’s Health, he oversees budgeting, financial planning, compliance, and resource optimization to support the organization’s mission.
With a background in laboratory and hospitality sectors, Dmitriy brings extensive experience in financial management to CHOICES Institute of Women’s Health. He oversees accounting operations, ensuring accurate reporting and compliance to support the organization’s mission.