Indiana Planned Parenthood Merges With Kentucky Branches
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Planned Parenthood of Kentucky today announced that, effective July 1, their nonprofits are merging to strengthen services in both states and ensure reproductive health care remains accessible and affordable.
The new nonprofit, which will be known as Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky will serve patients at 28 health center locations across the two states. All of the centers will offer preventive health care services such as Pap tests, breast and testicular exams, STD testing and treatment, birth control and pregnancy tests.
“Both PPIN and PPKY have been trusted providers of reproductive health care for more than 80 years. Our patients and supporters can count on our newly integrated team to be smart and do good, just as we have the past eight decades,” said Betty Cockrum, the president and CEO of PPIN who will serve in the same role for the merged organization. “The synergies introduced with this merger create a tremendous opportunity to better serve both Indiana and Kentucky through lifesaving preventive health care and honest, accurate education programs.”
Mergers are common both in the health care industry and within Planned Parenthood. At one time, the national Planned Parenthood family had more than 200 affiliates; there are now just 73. Both affiliates have experience with mergers. PPIN merged multiple times to become a statewide affiliate in 2004. Louisville and Lexington joined together in 2008 to become Planned Parenthood of Kentucky.
Today’s announcement, which was first made at the Planned Parenthood health center in Louisville, Ky., represents months of due diligence and collaboration between the two affiliates. The boards of directors of both affiliates approved the union. The two nonprofits have had a formal relationship since February, when a management agreement consolidated administrative functions for PPKY’s health centers in Louisville and Lexington with PPIN’s administration.
“The continued well-being of our patients is what drove this merger, and it’s our patients – current and future – who will realize the benefits,” said Kim Greene, chair of the PPKY Board of Directors. “Combined, PPINK’s strength and ability will allow us to meet the challenges of the swiftly changing health care landscape, and better address the sadly unmet need for family planning services throughout Kentucky.”
Fourteen members of PPKY’s board of directors will serve on the PPINK board. All 28 existing health center locations will remain in operation. Longer-term, the intent is to expand to serve more patients on both sides of the Ohio River.
Once administrative functions for the two affiliates were combined under the management agreement, a small number of staff positions were consolidated to achieve efficiencies. PPINK does not intend any further reduction in its workforce. The combined PPINK affiliate will have 190 employees in its 28 health centers and administrative office.
“This merger is incredibly exciting for our mission. We will serve our patients still better and we will strengthen our voice to better educate and advocate for sexuality education and reproductive health care and justice.” said Cockrum. “Over the past several months, we’ve had the opportunity to engage countless wonderful volunteers and supporters in both states to ensure a vital and energized new affiliate is ready to go come July 1. It is truly an exciting time with countless possibilities for great things to be accomplished by working together.”
Source: Planned Parenthood of Indiana, Inside INdiana Business