Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Newsletter
SAFE
HEALTHY
SUMMER 2018
STRONG
PPWI Hosts the 2018 Safe, Healthy, Strong Conference
“PPWI is there for women in ways they didn’t even realize.” Recently, I found myself having a conversation with my cab driver about health care. I’ll call her Rebecca. Rebecca shared she was experiencing some serious health issues and didn’t have health care. She lost her job and her employer-sponsored health care because of her health condition. She found herself in that place, familiar to so many, working very hard at a job that doesn’t provide health care, and unable to afford the high cost of health insurance plans that will cover her health condition and medication. Rebecca was very frustrated with the state of health care in America. Leaning forward, I told her I work at Planned Parenthood, and please consider us a place that she could receive needed health care. I shared the services that PPWI provides. She was blown away. She said “Wow! I didn’t realize you provided all those services. I thought you just provided birth control and education to teen-agers. That’s the Planned Parenthood I remember.” As I was getting out, I reminded her that Planned Parenthood is here for her. No matter what. It is our hope to be there for all the Rebeccas who need us and be a catalyst for change so that all people can access the health care they need. Part of increasing access to care is advancing our own services for those who need us. Last month, Planned Parenthood’s doors reopened in Sheboygan at a new, beautifully renovated and conveniently located health center! The new center at 909 South Taylor Drive provides the full range of reproductive health care, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control, well woman check-ups, STD testing and treatment, testicular exams, honest sex education, and health care referrals for prenatal care, adoption and cancer treatment. I’m also excited to announce that we added three new medical services since we were last open in Sheboygan: endometrial 2 | Moving Forward
biopsy, early pregnancy complication assessment, and medication abortion. Thanks to generous donors, health care partnerships, and unwavering supporters, we were able to make this a reality, and develop a beautiful health center that expands access and reflects the dignity our patients deserve. Safe, Healthy and Strong, All Year Long! It can be true that “PPWI is there for women and men in ways they didn’t even realize.” You, your friends and your family can elevate the vital mission of Planned Parenthood every day by being visible with your support and an ambassador for our services. Share information about our services with the people in your life (for a full listing visit ppwi.org). Share the importance of Planned Parenthood in your own life on Facebook or Twitter by tagging #WILovesPP! For a full list of ways you can stay involved, visit PPWI.org and click on ‘Take Action.’ Together, we can continue working to ensure Wisconsinites never need to worry about access to essential health care. Your support is essential to PPWI’s mission and our ability to be there for people who need us – no matter what! With respect and gratitude,
Tanya Atkinson, President & CEO
Meet Andrea Khan, member of the PPWI Board and Polly’s Circle I started on the Planned Parenthood Leadership Council for about a year or so and then was asked to join the board. I believe wholeheartedly that women should have access to healthcare especially things like birth control. Now that I have a daughter of my own, it has become even more important for me to rise up and use my voice to advocate for all women.
Meet Andrea Khan, member of the PPWI Board and Polly’s Circle “I have called Milwaukee home for over 10 years now so it truly feels like home. My husband and I are raising three kids ages 10 and under to be good citizens of the world. A huge part of that is leading by example and giving back to our community. After attending my first PPWI house party here in Milwaukee, I jumped at the opportunity to get more involved.
Polly’s Circle, a new PPWI giving circle for women who give over $1,000 annually, is a natural progression as a way to be visible in my community. I want to be a part of something that joins like-minded women together to stand up for what they believe in. I am honored to be on the board and involved with Polly’s Circle and I hope you will consider joining me!” In addition to being a PPWI board member and an active mom, Andrea is also the Chief Travel officer for The Family Backpack, a family travel website for parents researching and planning family vacations. For more information, or to join Polly’s Circle, contact Courtney Meyer at 414-289-3729 or courtney.meyer@ppwi.org.
New Matching Gift Challenge for the Be Visible Capital Campaign! The $28 million Be Visible Capital Campaign raised more than $26 million during its quiet phase, funding 21st century health care (via Milwaukee’s new Water Street health center and upgraded technology statewide) and program support for PPWI’s celebrated education programs and vital public affairs work. We are thrilled to announce a dedicated group of current and past PPWI leaders have banded together to form a generous $255,000 match pool. Their hope is to inspire supporters, like you, to join them in ensuring the campaign’s success.
Your new or incremental campaign gift will be matched, so please consider making a special investment today to secure the future of women’s health care in Wisconsin!
How to make your gift • By mail: Please use the donation envelope found with this newsletter • By phone: Please call Kim Ellingson at 414-289-3793 • Online: Please visit our secure website at support. ppwi.org/BeVisible Special thanks to the Be Visible Leadership Matching Gift Challenge funders:
Chris Abele, Jeanne Bissell & Jeff Rudd, Harry & Barbara Drake, Nancy Heiden, Judith McGregor & Dick Gallun, Genie & Tom Smith, Martha Vukelich-Austin & George Austin
Thank you!
Spring 2018 | 3
Safe Healthy Strong Co Celebrates Another Su
Presenters and attendees enjoy the conference
PPWI’s education department recently hosted its seventh annual Safe Healthy Strong Conference. This highly regarded conference provides training to a diverse group of professionals, including health care workers, social workers, health promoters and educators. The conference continues to grow and attract attendees and presenters from around the country. The 2018 conference was sponsored by a generous donation from Tashia and John Morgridge.
The 2018 conference workshops featured a variety of topics, including additional sessions on Trans and LGBTQ issues. Other sessions explored such topics as: HIV prevention; human papillomavirus (HPV) education; reproductive justice; race and sexual violence; implications of pain disorders and disabilities on sex and sexuality; and the intersection of faith, sex and pleasure. Conference workshops were offered in both English and Spanish.
An intensive preconference was also offered, focusing an entire day on “Providing Exceptional Sexual Health Care and Education for Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Nonconforming/Diverse (TNG) People,” which drew a record number of attendees. This work is especially important, as these patients are often marginalized and experience significant rejection, discrimination and even violence when attempting to access care.
Several general sessions were also held for attendees. One featured a youth panel, allowing participants to gain insight about how teens and young adults would like to receive their health care, and how to provide care in a way that is comfortable for them. Ed Talks also returned this year, offering several short educational presentations on topics including STD rates in Milwaukee and Christianity and pleasure. Bedtime Stories,
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onference uccessful Year
a popular evening storytelling event, featured speakers sharing their personal stories about sex and sexuality. The Safe Healthy Strong Conference is one of only a few conferences in the country focusing on sexual and reproductive health. It is also an important professional resource, offering continuing education credits for social workers and Certified Health Education Professionals. PPWI is grateful for the generous support that makes this valuable annual event possible each year – thank you to our presenting sponsor, Tashia and John Morgridge, and other generous sponsors, the Tool Shed and Tegrete.
Summer 2018 | 5
PPWI Takes on Increasing STD Rates Sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates have been increasing nationwide for the past several years. In fact, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data from 2016 shows STD rates hit record highs, with over two million new cases of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia reported. Wisconsin is not immune to this trend. In 2016, Milwaukee ranked number one in the nation for gonorrhea and number four for chlamydia, when compared with similarly sized cities. Preliminary statewide data from 2017 shows an increase of nearly eight percent over 2016 numbers. Looking at the rates by county, Racine County showed the largest percentage of increase in the state—almost 61 percent— with that county’s young adults (ages 20-24) showing a 74 percent increase. Other counties experiencing increases include Kenosha, Sheboygan, Eau Claire and Winnebago. Most STDs have few or no symptoms and when left untreated can cause serious health problems, like infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, neurological problems and increased risk for HIV. Long-term effects of having an untreated STD make it critical for testing to be a routine part of health care for those who are sexually active. Planned Parenthood has long been recognized for its expertise in STD testing, treatment and education. Late last year, PPWI stepped up as an important community partner to address a concerning increase in STDs at several Milwaukee area schools. Officials in Milwaukee turned to PPWI, along with Diverse and Resilient (D&R) and the Aids
Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) to assist with educational intervention.
6 | Moving Forward
STD prevention assemblies were quickly prepared and presented—in less than two weeks’ time—at every MPS middle and high school, with a goal of providing medically accurate information about STDs and prevention in a way that avoided shaming or fear among the students. PPWI’s education staff also offered training to school nurses and are looking forward to continued collaboration with MPS to support this important work. Every April, PPWI also participates in Get Yourself Tested (GYT) month, a national program to raise awareness about STDs, especially among young people. Throughout the month, testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV is offered for free at all PPWI family planning health centers. PPWI’s education and public affairs staff also hit the road during GYT month, appearing at community outreach events to raise awareness and promote this vital service. And of course, PPWI health centers continue to ensure patients are regularly screened for STDs throughout the year. PPWI also sponsors frequent social media campaigns and maintains a special website, BeSafeWI.org, which offers information and videos that remind people testing is easy and an important part of their health care. With increased STD rates trending, PPWI has most recently formed an internal STD subcommittee to explore more ways PPWI can actively address this critical public health need. Your generous support helps PPWI remain a leader in STD testing, treatment and community outreach that keeps Wisconsin safe, healthy and strong.
In Memory of Dr. Frits Broekhuizen (aka Dr. B) around the world. He frequently treated patients in low-resource settings throughout Africa, Asia and South America. According to current PPWI Medical Director Dr. Kathy King, Dr. B was an expert in areas such as cervical cancer prevention, population health, maternal fetal health and perinatal mortality reduction. “The breadth and depth of his knowledge never ceased to amaze me,” says Dr. King. “As if that weren’t enough, he also brought his passion, his humanity, his warmth, his humor and his endless sense of purpose to everything he did and everyone with whom he interacted.”
Dr. Fredrik “Frits” Broekhuizen, better known as “Dr. B.” among Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin patients and staff, recently passed away at the age of 72, following a long battle with cancer. He assumed many different roles with PPWI over the years, eventually serving as Medical Director from 2001 to 2015. He was a long-time champion, proud advocate and relentless defender of women’s health and reproductive rights, and was committed to improving health care for all girls and women. Dr. B was outspoken in his passion and commitment to PPWI’s mission. He was instrumental in advocating for reduced fees for patients in need of treatment to remove abnormal cells to prevent cervical cancer. Additionally, Dr. B’s commitment to improving health care for all women took him
“He expected the best from himself and his staff,” explains PPWI Director of Colposcopy and Cytology Robin Janzer. “His passion for women’s health, social justice and the patients at Planned Parenthood made a lasting impression on me. I truly believe I would not be the nurse I am today nor be as strong at patient advocacy if not for him.” Through his work as a physician, teacher and advocate, Dr. B left behind a truly inspiring and lasting legacy. His memory holds a special place in the hearts of many and he will be sincerely missed by his patients, colleagues, students and friends. “He was my friend, mentor, colleague and boss for most of my career at Planned Parenthood,” says Registered Nurse Janzer. “I deeply miss him and thank him for his spunk, spirit, support, advocacy for our patients and his quirky sense of humor.” Dr. B’s memory is honored every time a person stands up to support Wisconsin’s women and families.
Summer 2018 | 7
Save the Date for the 2018 PPWI fall events! Thursday, September 27th
Appleton dinner Pullman’s Restaurant
Wednesday, October 17th
Madison dinner
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center Friday, October 26th
Milwaukee luncheon Italian Community Center
Stay tuned for additional details! Sponsorships for all three events are available please contact Courtney Meyer at 414-289-3729 or courtney.meyer@ppwi.org for more information.
© 2018 Planned Parenthood® of Wisconsin, Inc. 302 North Jackson Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 ppwi.org