LeRoy H. Carhart, M.D., has been performing abortions since 1973.  Dr. Carhart attended Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated in 1973.   He completed his surgical residency at Hahnemann Hospital and its affiliates and served as Chief Resident, 1977 and 1978 at Atlantic City Medical Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Dr. Carhart retired after serving twenty-one years in the United States Air Force, and now works full time providing abortions, teaching other providers in the techniques of first and second trimester abortions and acting as a consultant to abortion and family planning clinics throughout the United States. 

Dr. Carhart has been performing vasectomies since 1971 and has performed over 3,500 vasectomies to date.  In 1982, he established the first U.S. Air Force training program to teach vasectomy surgery to Family Practice residents. 

In June 1997, Dr. Carhart filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the State of Nebraska from enforcing their "Partial Birth Abortion Law, as Dr. Carhart saw this law as unconstitutional.  The District Court for the State of Nebraska agreed and issued a "Permanent Injunction" to Prevent the enforcement of this unconstitutional law.

The State of Nebraska appealed and lost a decision in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.  The State of Nebraska then appealed to the United States Supreme Court.  Oral arguments were heard on April 27, 2000 and the Supreme Court ruled on June 28, 2000 that the Nebraska law and also the laws in 31 other states were unconstitutional.

For his conviction and dedication to the Pro-Choice movement Dr. Carhart has received many awards.  These include.

California Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League "Emily Lyons Award for Courage", October 4, 2000

Harvard University Ethics Department "Larry Lader Reproductive Choice Guest Lecturer", October 10, 2000

Voters for Choice "8th Annual Gloria Steinem Reproductive Freedom Award", October 13, 2000 

National Abortion Rights Action League "Courageous Advocate Award" October 18, 2000

Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. "Ophelia Settle Egypt Award, October 19, 2000

Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles "Margaret Sanger Award" October 20, 2000 

Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, "Courage Award", October 21, 2000

Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project "Ades Award" October 22, 2000

Aradia Women's Health Center "Guardian of Women's Health Award", November 3, 2000

California Women's Law Center "Pursuit of Justice Award", November 7, 2007