It appears members of the San Antonio City Council are further hedging their bets to allow their friends at Planned Parenthood to operate afoul of city laws, as illustrated by their most recent appointment.
On August 6th, city council unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Chichi Junda Woo, OB/GYN, to the position of Medical Director for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD). As Medical Director, her responsibilities will include partially overseeing SAMHD’s $42 million annual budget, managing almost 1700 employees, and working with the Health Director on health code enforcement, health education, disease control and promoting healthy behaviors as the local health authority in the area.
Woo is listed on multiple websites as having been affiliated with multiple Planned Parenthood facilities and is a self-described “abortion provider.” Woo’s appointment is particularly concerning in light of the current controversy surrounding the new Planned Parenthood facility at 2104 Babcock in San Antonio.
We’ve previously discussed the 22,000 sq. foot abortion mega-facility and its violation of city zoning ordinances. In fact, after an objective analysis, the city’s own Senior Planner, Trenton Robertson, concluded that the facility was improperly zoned, and issued a letter to that effect.
Mr. Robertson no longer works for the City of San Antonio, and local residents are still fighting the operation of the illegally zoned abortion facility in their residential neighborhood.
Whether it’s a calculated move or poor timing, the appointment of a Planned Parenthood affiliate to such an important position with oversight over the controversy raises valid concerns. At the least, the appointment creates the appearance of a conflict of interest. At worst, it demonstrates that the San Antonio city council is colluding with Planned Parenthood to help them further avoid the city’s own regulations.
Update: As a result of grassroots pressure from the San Antonio Family Association and various other groups voicing their opposition to City Council, City Manager Sheryl Sculley has voluntarily rescinded the appointment of Dr. Chichi Junda Woo to Medical Director of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, and has appointed Dr. Lillian Ringsdorf, M.D. to the position. Dr. Woo will maintain her previous contract with the City of San Antonio, continuing to be responsible for the STD, infectious disease, and immunization clinics for Metro Health.
