Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Announces Merger with Essential Health Clinic

Today, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) is proud to announce a merger with Essential Health Clinic in western Wisconsin to protect and expand patient access to community-based health. The merger will be official later this summer.

“We are excited to welcome Essential Health Clinic into the Planned Parenthood family. Both Essential and PPWI have worked together to provide high quality, nonjudgmental and confidential reproductive health care to keep our communities safe, healthy and strong,” said Tanya Atkinson, president and CEO of PPWI.

“Essential Health Clinic is pleased to join forces with PPWI to continue to serve the health care needs of patients in western Wisconsin. Like Essential Health, Planned Parenthood is a trusted reproductive health provider with a long history of providing affordable health care and education services. For more than 40 years we have provided excellent care to those in our communities, and we welcome Planned Parenthood to meet our patients’ needs together,” said Carol Kratz, board president of Essential Health Clinic.

Like any other health care provider, PPWI is always contemplating ways to enhance services and meet the unique needs of communities across the state. This includes monitoring and evaluating new opportunities to protect and expand access to health care. Through the merger, Essential Health Clinic’s La Crosse, Sparta and Blair health centers and staff will join with 21 Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin health centers providing family planning services in Wisconsin. Through the availability of convenient online appointments, expanded center hours and a growing menu of service options, Planned Parenthood looks forward to the ability to enhance area patients’ health care experience.

“During our 125-year cumulative history, PPWI and Essential Health Clinic have been there for women, men and families during some of the most important and intimate moments of their lives,” said Atkinson. “Together we are a stronger, more sustainable health care provider for our patients. We look forward to expanding our reach and the opportunity to make sure patients can get the care they need in their own communities.”

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Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is a nonprofit health care provider serving 60,000 patients annually at 21 health centers. Planned Parenthood provides the full range of comprehensive reproductive health care including well woman exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, birth control and abortion care.