Planned Parenthood Leader Dr. Nicole Chaisson Awarded Health Care Hero Recognition
For Immediate Release: April 10, 2023
Dr. Chaisson is recognized for her immense contributions to LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming care
St. Paul, MN —Dr. Nicole Chaisson, Associate Medical Director and Director of Gender Affirming Care for Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS), has been named a 2023 Health Care Hero by Minneapolis, St. Paul Business Journal.
Dr. Chaisson is leading gender-affirming care in the upper Midwest for PPNCS, through volatile political environments, working to provide continuous care to patients across multiple states. She has spoken publicly about the life-saving nature of gender-affirming care, helping to break the stigma the trans community faces when accessing health care.
“All people deserve respect, dignity and kindness in the health care they access, and it is essential to continue providing expert health care to all patients but especially to LGBTQIA+ people during this difficult time,” said Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “Planned Parenthood is proud to offer gender-affirming care to patients that honor and respect their lived experiences. Dr. Chaisson is an incredible leader and advocate for her patients, and her team is leading the essential health care people need. I am extremely proud to see Dr. Chaisson being recognized for her immense impact.”
The Health Care Hero award honors people putting care and compassion to work in the Twin Cities health care field and community.
“Gender-affirming care is just that – affirming – and supportive of the patient’s goals, and it is rooted in our mission to support each person’s right to bodily autonomy and well-being,” said Dr. Nicole Chaisson, Associate Medical Director for Planned Parenthood North Central States. “When I work with gender-expansive people and their families, I'm proud to be in the room providing the best medical care possible that is supportive of their goals and future.”
Gender affirming care for minors was recently banned in South Dakota and Iowa and is being considered by legislatures in North Dakota and Nebraska. Gender transition is a deeply personal process and unique to everyone.
Planned Parenthood provides a wide range of reproductive and sexual health services, including cervical and breast cancer screenings, contraception care, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, HIV testing, PrEP and PEP, immunizations, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, gender-affirming care including hormone management, and abortion information and options.
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Planned Parenthood North Central States and its subsidiary organizations provide, promote, and protect reproductive and sexual health through high quality care, education and advocacy. A member of America’s most trusted reproductive health care provider, our affiliate is proud to support and operate 28 health centers across our five-state region (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota). Each year, we provide health care to nearly 100,000 people and health education to more than 55,000 people in our region.