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Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida Expands Gender-Affirming Care Program to Accept New Patients

Contact: Miranda Colavito | 941-356-1977 | [email protected]

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2024 (Updated: March 18, 2024, 1:16 p.m.)


The affiliate was forced to temporarily pause accepting new patients last year after the Florida legislature implemented additional restrictions for providers. 

SARASOTA, FL – Starting today, March 18th, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida (PPSWCF) announced that they are expanding appointment availability for gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) and will once again accept new patients in need of care. Though they continued to offer care for established patients, the affiliate paused accepting new patients last year following the implementation of SB 254, which banned minors from receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy and added significant barriers for adults seeking treatment. 

“Medical experts in endocrinology, primary care, psychology, and sexual and reproductive health all support gender-affirming care, which is medically necessary care. And every major medical association in the United States, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recognize the importance and efficacy of these treatments,” commented PPSWCF’s Director of Gender-Affirming Care, Mishya Nishioka. “Everyone deserves respectful and compassionate care that meets their health needs. However, gender-affirming care clinics and medical practices that emphasize knowledgeable and quality health care in a comfortable and affirming setting are scarce in Florida. We are thrilled to reopen this care for tens of thousands of patients across southwest and central Florida. 

Based on the most recent data available, there are an estimated 95,000 transgender adults living in Florida, according to the Williams Institute at UCLA’s School of Law, the second largest population of any state. By blocking patients from accessing GAHT, these laws created a ripple effect forcing many to seek care out of state or leave Florida permanently in order to meet their health care needs. 

PPSWCF’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robyn Schickler, also offered, “It’s been shown time and time again that providing transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals with medically supervised gender-affirming hormone therapy significantly improves mental health and has been directly linked to lowering the odds of depression and suicidality in transgender individuals. It is a crucial, life-saving treatment option and should be available to everyone who requires it.” 

Additional comment was provided by PPSWCF’s Interim CEO, Barbara Zdravecky, who stated, “Planned Parenthood knows that gender-affirming care is essential health care, that’s why we’ve worked diligently over the last year to amend our operations and reopen these services in compliance with the new laws. Today and every day, we will continue to do whatever it takes to provide the care our patients rely on - no matter what.” 

New patient appointments are available in-person at the PPSWCF health centers in St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Kissimmee. Follow-up appointments may be done via telehealth in some circumstances. To schedule an appointment, call 941-567-3800.  

Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, Inc., an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. began operations in 1966 and provides vital sexual and reproductive health care services and comprehensive sexuality education. Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida provides expert, affordable, and confidential health care to 41,000 patients through health centers in Fort Myers, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Naples, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Tampa, as well as through telehealth.  

The mission of Planned Parenthood is to ensure the right of all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health by providing medical services, education, and advocacy. For more than 100 years, Planned Parenthood has been one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, respectful sexual and reproductive health care and the nation’s largest provider of sex education.  

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