The new Susan Knapp Health Center, the latest health care site under Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa, will open its doors Monday, July 2, at 2304 University Ave. in Des Moines.
The facility was named for a Des Moines businesswoman in order to honor her leadership and support of PPGI. A gift from Knapp and her husband, Bill Knapp, will help provide health care and family planning services.
The couple has made a significant difference in the vitality of the Drake campus and surrounding neighborhoods through both their philanthropic gifts and personal involvement. By serving on multiple boards which guide the development of Des Moines and Drake University, the Knapps have given of themselves as well as their resources.
"This generous gift will help support and maintain the new health center by providing essential resources for quality reproductive health care in a professional and respectful setting," PPGI President and CEO Jill June said. "The Knapps' support will also enable the Susan Knapp Health Center's education team to deliver medically accurate family planning education in a welcoming environment. This education is essential in helping create and maintain healthy families."
Outreach staff based in the facility will work with community and social service organizations to raise awareness of PPGI's health care and education programs.
The second such site to offer prenatal care, the Susan Knapp Health Center will provide complete family planning services for the neighborhoods north of downtown as well as the Drake community. Situated on a bus route, the health center will be accessible to all who desire services.
"We're pleased to be able to expand our prenatal programs to families in this part of Des Moines," June said. "This added dimension demonstrates PPGI's strong commitment to increasing health care delivery and supporting healthy families."
PPGI's prenatal program begin in 1998 at the Joseph F. Rosenfield Center in Des Moines. Prenatal patients are provided comprehensive physical exams and health counseling during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. At the 28th week, patients are transitioned to other health care providers who assist in the delivery of the babies. Patients return to PPGI for post-partum checkups.
The new center is one of 21 projects funded by the $11 million Responsible Choices Capital Campaign.
This is good news. Planned Parenthood is needed more today than ever before.