Planned Parenthood

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Since 1971, Planned Parenthood of South Central New York, Inc. (PPSCNY) has been an important part of Norwich’s community, offering affordable, confidential family planning services and the Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP). The clinic is located at Suite 208 of the Eaton Center in downtown Norwich.

PPSCNY’s services are all provided on a sliding fee scale. No one is ever turned away due to inability to pay. Patients with low income can sign up for the Family Planning Benefit Program, which offers free exams, birth control and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. PPSCNY also accepts most forms of insurance including Medicaid and Family Health Plus.

The expert team of caring professionals includes physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses. PPSCNY’s medical services include birth control, annual gynecological exams, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy testing and counseling, screening for breast, cervical, testicular and colorectal cancers, and emergency contraception.

PPSCNY also offers confidential rapid HIV testing. Patients can choose a blood or saliva test, followed by Planned Parenthood’s non-judgmental, compassionate counseling, and know their HIV status in only 20 minutes. Director of Clinic Operations Marybeth Clark, LPN said patients find the rapid test less stressful because they get their results quickly.

Planned Parenthood is also the only Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP) provider in Chenango County. Women who are pregnant and meet the income eligibility requirements can join PCAP and receive free prenatal care through Chenango Memorial Hospital and help with applying for WIC and other services. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 607-336-8269.

Planned Parenthood also provides sexuality and health care education, working with parents and teens to encourage family communication and decrease risky behaviors. Our trained educator gladly helps teens, adults, couples, families, parents, and youth groups at schools, churches and other organizations.

Physician Assistant Meg Nowak sees patients full time, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Nowak brings eleven years of medical experience to Planned Parenthood. She previously worked at Chenango Memorial Hospital’s urgent care clinic and the Bainbridge-Guilford School Based Clinic. She graduated from the Physician Assistant Program at D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY.

Nowak enjoys serving many patients at Planned Parenthood and welcomes new patients. “I am pleased to be meeting the needs of the community,” she said. “I am at Planned Parenthood full time, including one evening per week, so patients can get appointments quickly.”

“I can also care for male patients, because Planned Parenthood treats men, too,” Nowak said. “People think we’re here for birth control only but we offer annual exams, cancer screening, STD testing and treatment, and so much more.”

Planned Parenthood also has offices in Binghamton, Lisle, Oneonta, Sidney and Walton. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 800-230-PLAN or go to www.ppscny.org

Back to Progress 2008 Listing