On July 2 of this year, Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa (PPGI) left the Sherman Hill neighborhood where it had been since 1934. Recently, I spoke with Marketing Generalist Katie Bradshaw about the past, present, and future of PPGI. The history of PPGI and the organizations that proceeded it parallels the story of birth control and reproductive health in the United States. Looking at the PPGI of today and being old enough to have witnessed some of the challenges planned parenthood services faced throughout the 20th Century, I want to write a book about how the women of Iowa helped to build this amazing service organization. That is not the purpose of this blog, however.
PPGI has 16 clinics in Iowa, from Sioux City to Bettendorf. There are 3 clinics in Des Moines, including one for general family practice medical care. The organization provides services to 45,000 people a year. The clinics are usually open on weekdays, but not all clinics provide a full
range of services. This may be due to cost of machines and/or to the
availability of qualified personnel to perform procedures. For example, not
all of the clinics are able to provide a colposcopy test.
Providing contraceptives and an environment in which issues of birth control and sexual activity can be discussed openly and without prejudice continue to be core services of PPGI. There are many other reasons to visit Planned Parenthood, though. Men can get tested for testicular cancer. Both genders can be tested for sexually-transmitted infections and for HIV. Women can receive menopause-related services. Basic medical care is available at the clinic at 200 Army Post Road (515-953-7560).
Women who are pregnant can talk with someone at PPGI about options. The organization is partnered with the Avalon Center for adoption services and still offers abortion care, which represents about 3% of PPGI services provided.
The idea of prevention and wellness in health care, as well as personal responsibility, is a major political theme this year. Planned Parenthood first believed in the concept of prevention and personal control over one’s health decades ago. Today that belief is given substance through PPGI’s Education and Resource Center. Alas, I am pushing my word limit and cannot go into details about this wonderful tool available to the general public.
PPGI has about 160 people on staff, including medical professionals and
administrators. There are also many volunteers and financial contributors.
The PPGI book sale is always a big event and raises money to help with
education. On July 19, at 11:30 a.m., Helen Thomas will be speaking at a
fundraiser. (Disclosure: I contribute to Planned Parenthood and have
contributed copies of Leading Voices: Iowa to the PPGI book sale.)
If you need the services, don’t hesitate to call PPGI. If you have the time
and/or money to share, don’t hesitate to call PPGI.
Guest Author: M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa.
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