Planned Parenthood Opens East Portland Health Center On June 8th

Downloadable file: The state-of-the-art new health center will feature an education and community space to host events with community partners in East Portland; signage in 4 languages; a large waiting area for patients equipped with Wi-Fi; light that simulates the outdoors;
Downloadable file: The Elsie H. Hillman East Portland Health Center is located at 14601 SE Division St., previously Duke’s Country Bar & Grill.

Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette (PPCW), the largest nonprofit provider of sexual and reproductive health care and youth education programs in Oregon and Southwest Washington, will open its biggest health center on June 8th.

The Elsie H. Hillman East Portland Health Center is located at 14601 SE Division St., previously Duke’s Country Bar & Grill.

“The COVID-19 pandemic created a growing urgency for increased access to essential health care in the region,” says PPCW Board Chair Kevin Diaz. “The Elsie H. Hillman East Portland Health Center will help meet an urgent need in the community. By providing the full range of reproductive health services, community education and other needed resources, PPCW is poised to improve the region's overall health and wellness during this unprecedented time.”

The 9,100-square-foot site was identified based on research in response to healthcare demands and unmet needs of East Multnomah County, Gresham and surrounding communities. It will replace the Southeast Portland Health Center at 3231 SE 50th Ave., which is PPCW’s busiest location and provides more than 18,000 patient visits annually.

Thanks to telehealth, patients can access services without leaving their home or needing to to visit the health center. The program allows patients from the privacy of their home to access high-quality, affordable healthcare services by phone and/or through a private and secure video conferencing platform that connects them with PPCW’s trusted providers.

“Even through these challenging times, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette won’t stop providing the high-quality care and education that people need,” says PPCW President & CEO Anne Udall. “Just as we are here with patients who depend on us for care, we will also continue to show up for our communities. As a frontline public health provider, we are proud to grow our partnerships and to serve the community in every way we can. We are excited to be working together with residents and community partners to meet the health needs of East Multnomah County, Gresham and surrounding communities.”

The state-of-the-art new health center will feature an education and community space to host events with community partners in East Portland; signage in 4 languages; a large waiting area for patients equipped with Wi-Fi; light that simulates the outdoors; an individually controlled sound system in each of the 12 exam rooms; and rooftop solar panels that will target 80 percent of the building’s electricity.

Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson says: “This new clinic demonstrates Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette’s commitment to addressing healthcare inequities in East Portland. I strongly believe improving access to sexual and reproductive health care will lead to positive outcomes in marginalized communities.”

Jenny Glass, Executive Director of The Rosewood Initiative, says: “The Rosewood Initiative is thrilled to welcome Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette to East Portland. We appreciate their continued efforts to partner with us and other community groups in breaking down the barriers that people face to access health care. The new health center will be an important piece of equitable health care in our neighborhood.”

PPCW announced in 2017 that Henry Lea Hillman Jr., who lives in Portland, along with his daughters, Juliet and Summer, as well as his siblings, Juliet, Audrey and William, have generously committed $1.15 million to create the center.

The center will be named after Henry’s mother, Elsie H. Hillman (1925-2015), who epitomized the best of philanthropy. She was a pioneer and a political leader, who helped to elect school board members as well as U.S. presidents. Her political work, civic activities and philanthropic efforts were always intertwined.

The new health center will offer high-quality, low-cost preventive sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including:

Low-cost birth control
STD testing and treatment
Emergency contraception
Annual visits
Pap tests and breast/cervical cancer screenings
Abortion care
Miscarriage management
PrEP
Gender-affirming hormone care

The Elsie H. Hillman East Portland Health Center is conveniently located close to TriMet bus routes 20 and within two miles of the MAX Blue Line.

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Since 1963, PPCW has successfully carried out its mission of providing, promoting and protecting access to quality reproductive and sexual health care. Each year, PPCW provides more than 74,500 patient visits at its seven health centers. For more information or to make an appointment, call 888.576.PLAN (7526) or visit PPCW.org.