U. of Nebraska Professor Who Performed Abortion at Campus Clinic Resigns Under Pressure By KATHERINE S. MANGAN
A professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center who performed an abortion in a university-owned clinic resigned this month after university officials threatened to fire him.
Meryl Severson, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, handed in his resignation this month after a meeting of the university's Board of Regents.
Although he didn't do anything illegal, he did violate a policy established in 1979 by the board that prohibits physicians from performing elective abortions in university-owned facilities, said the university system's vice president and general counsel, Richard R. Wood.
Dr. Severson declined to comment on the matter.
University officials, who were tipped off by an unnamed employee, said the abortion was performed after hours in late August or early September in an off-campus clinic owned by the university. The clinic is located in south Omaha.
James O. Armitage, dean of the medical college, said he had no reason to think that Dr. Severson had performed more than one abortion. He said he was certain the doctor was aware of the university's rules that ban abortions unless the mother's life is in danger.
"No one here is confused about the policy," said Dr. Armitage. If he hadn't resigned, "actions to terminate him would very likely have been taken."
University officials said Dr. Severson told them he felt that the first-trimester abortion was in his patient's best interest. They declined to discuss the specific case further, but said it was the first time they were aware of that a university doctor had violated the anti-abortion policy.