Our Mission: To promote and ensure reproductive and sexual health, responsibility, and freedom.
Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan (PPWNM) is a nonprofit agency, and the largest provider of reproductive and sexual health and education services in the region. We are making sure people from all walks of life have access to affordable services that help them plan their families, prevent disease, and make responsible decisions about their sexual health.
What's New
CHECK YOUR PULSE
In September: New emergency contraception approved by the FDA; learn how you can help PPWNM Get Out the Vote!
PPWNM's The Public Affairs Pulse is a monthly newsletter focused on issues that impact reproductive health care, sexuality education, and freedom of choice.
CHECK OUT 'THE B-WORD' IN TC
PPWNM's VOX (Voices for Planned Parenthood) student group at Northwestern Michigan College is putting on a show! Check out "The B-Word: An Exploration of Gender, Sexuality, and Body Image" Thursday, September 9, and Friday, September 10, at the Inside Out Gallery, 229 Garland St., Traverse City, MI.
Thursday night features a drag queen show, panel discussion on a variety of sex-related topics, and screening of the cult classic Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Events get under way at 6:30 p.m.
Friday night features a live performance from Leslie and the LY's which combines music, comedy, and outrageous costumes! There will also be sex trivia, information tables, and a body-positive photography exhibit; kicking off at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $10 and are available in the NMC Student Life office, or online.
FDA APPROVES ELLA, NEW EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION OPTION
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) applauds the decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the sale and use of ulipristal acetate (UPA), a new form of emergency contraception (EC). The full FDA approval of UPA, a medication that can be used safely and effectively up to five days after unprotected intercourse, provides women with more options to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
This promising new emergency contraception, which will be sold under the brand name “ella,” is already being used in Europe by women to prevent pregnancy up to five days after unprotected intercourse.
“Every woman deserves every option available to prevent an unplanned pregnancy, and there are many reasons why a woman may face the risk of unintended pregnancy — from failure or improper use of birth control, to sexual assault,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “The FDA’s approval of this new form of emergency contraception gives women one more option.”
“Ella, or UPA, is safe and effective at preventing ovulation and therefore pregnancy in the five days after unprotected intercourse,” said PPFA Vice President for Medical Affairs Dr. Vanessa Cullins. “Given the fact that half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended, it is vital that women have an array of choices available to prevent unplanned pregnancy. Ella will become an important option for women.”
Per FDA protocol, clinical trials were conducted, and ella was proven to be equally effective throughout the five days after unprotected intercourse, thus expanding women’s reproductive health care options. The FDA Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs is a panel of medical experts who weighed all of the scientific information and provided a recommendation that the medication is safe and effective.
The mechanism of UPA is to prevent or delay ovulation and therefore prevent pregnancy. Pregnancy, according to widely accepted medical definitions, occurs when a fertilized egg implants into the lining of the woman’s uterus.
Click here for FDA news release
CONGRATULATIONS TO PPWNM AWARD WINNERS!
PPWNM's Founders' Award for Distinguished Service is presented to a PPWNM volunteer or supporter who has made a significant impact on Planned Parenthood services in the Petoskey area. The 2010 award recipients are Ann and Dave Irish, two of the co-founders of Planned Parenthood in Petoskey. Congratulations to the Irishes, and thank you for your service to the Petoskey community!
Click here for more on the Founders' Award
PPWNM's Martha Hatch Award is presented annually to a Marquette-area community member who has worked to promote and ensure reproductive and sexual health, responsibility, and freedom. The 2010 award recipient is lifelong Marquette resident Diane Valenzio, NP, who retired from PPWNM last year after more than 30 years of service. Congratulations Diane, and thank you for your service to the Marquette community!
Click here for more on the Martha Hatch Award
PPFA ANNOUNCES MAGGIE AWARD WINNERS
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) handed out its annual Maggie Awards at a luncheon July 16 in Washington, DC. Six journalists and news organizations received the awards for their exceptional coverage of reproductive rights and health care issues. Congratulations to all of this year's Maggie Award winners from PPWNM!
Click here for more on the Maggie Awards
HEALTH CARE REFORM WEBSITE
A new government website will allow you to take health care into your own hands, with information about insurance choices and your new rights under the new Affordable Care Act.
The new website also has tools to help you explore your coverage options, with additional information if you are a parent, a senior on Medicare, a young adult, a person with a disability, or an employer.
By answering a few easy questions, the website will present you with all the coverage options available to you. You can then learn more about each option, including comparing the health insurance plans and benefits available in your community.