Editor’s Note: The FACTS Advisory Council consists of a talented and diverse group of individuals whose guidance and support are central to the success of our organization. Being a member of our Advisory Council is a voluntary position and all their work with FACTS is a generous contribution of time and expertise. This year, we are featuring one of our Council members each month to highlight their unique contributions to our mission. Our series continues with Dr. Kathleen Raviele, whose training in multiple fertility awareness based methods (FABMs) equipped her in a unique way to assist women and couples throughout her career as an OB/Gyn physician.
Meet Kathleen Raviele, MD
Dr. Raviele, a recently retired Board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, was in private practice in the Atlanta area for thirty-three years. She is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Albany Medical College of Union University. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Case Western Reserve University Hospitals of Cleveland and a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at Emory University.
She completed training as a teacher for the Couple to Couple League’s Sympto-Thermal Program, the Marquette Model of Natural Family Planning, the Creighton Model Fertility Care practitioner and medical consultant programs, and the Georgetown Institute for Reproductive Health methods. She gives presentations about the various FABMs in parishes and pre-marital programs and has participated in several published research studies on the Marquette Model, which she has taught for eighteen years.
As an OB/Gyn physician, Dr. Raviele integrated FABMs into her practice of medicine successfully for many years. FACTS co-founder, Dr. Marguerite Duane, admires how Dr. Raviele initially trained in the Creighton Model and then learned the Marquette Model. Through her openness to more than one method of natural family planning she learned to appreciate the advantages and challenges of each one, which enabled her to work with women and couples to find the best method for them.
Unique Contributions to the Mission of FACTS
Dr. Raviele has a profound understanding of the diverse health applications of FABMs. She is an outstanding advocate in making the case for why women should learn to chart their cycles from a health perspective. “Monitoring their cycles and ovulation can provide clues to an underlying problem and assist (women) to avoid or achieve pregnancy,” explains Dr. Raviele. “All the FABMs empower women to live with their fertility instead of it being a mystery.” She also advocates for OB/Gyn physicians to learn to interpret and use the female chart as a tool to manage women’s health concerns rather than suppress the female reproductive system through conventional approaches to care.
In Her Own Words
When asked about favorite aspects of her work with FACTS, Dr. Raviele pointed to the FACTS team,
“It is so encouraging to see the enthusiasm of Dr. Duane and others at FACTS in their outreach to young medical students and residents to educate them about FABMs. After nearly sixty years of birth control pills being offered as the only effective way to prevent pregnancy and as the primary treatment for many gynecologic problems, young women today are seeing the downside of being on synthetic steroids. Fertility awareness based methods and techniques are not covered in medical school in either a complete or positive way. Yet, they are safer and provide the woman with an understanding of her fertility that often her physician does not have.”
Reflecting on the future of FABMs, she expressed hope while highlighting the need to raise awareness about these methods.
“This generation is very concerned about the environment and choosing organic foods. These methods need to be promoted more for women to live healthier and happier lives.”
We agree with this wholeheartedly and are grateful to have Dr. Kathleen Raviele as an integral part of FACTS and our Advisory Council.
More About Dr. Raviele
Dr. Raviele is a past president of the Catholic Medical Association and a former board member of Georgia Right to Life. Dr. Raviele also represents the Catholic Medical Association as a consultant to the Pro-Life Secretariat of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Inspired by what you read?
You can support the ongoing work of FACTS here. To connect with a member of our team, please email development@FACTSaboutFertility.org. Interested in becoming an individual or organizational member? You can learn more and register here. To discuss with a member of our team, please email membership@FACTSaboutFertility.org.
