A Day in the Life of Planned Parenthood of South Central New York, Inc.
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Ever wonder what goes on behind the doors of Planned Parenthood? Step inside and see what a typical day in our clinics looks like. Every day, patients get quality reproductive health care and education under the supervision of a board certified physician.
8:30a.m., Oneonta, NY: A man closes his eyes as a nurse draws blood for an HIV test. They have spoken about risk reduction and disease prevention. The test is anonymous and when the man returns in a week for his results, he will only have to give a number, not his name.
10:00a.m., Walton, NY: The receptionist greets a young woman who has come in for a pregnancy test. The test is positive and the Nurse Practitioner and woman discuss her options.
11:00a.m., Norwich, NY: A Physician Assistant finds a suspected lump in a 42-year-old patient's breast during an annual exam. She refers the patient for a diagnostic testing and consultation with a breast care specialist. She also helps the patient enroll in the Healthy Living Partnership which will cover her expenses.
12:00 noon, Binghamton, NY: Lunch rush! Several teenagers come to the Crossroads educational drop in center. They chat with the educator who answers their questions and invites them to join a peer discussion group.
1:00p.m. Lisle's open! The loyal patients cherish this part time clinic in rural Broome County. "I'd rather get an exam from a woman provider and I can't drive all the way to Binghamton," said one longtime Lisle patient. "I'm so glad there’s a Planned Parenthood all the way out here!"
2:00p.m., Binghamton, NY: Our medical director, Dr. Diane Georgeson, explains to a patient what to expect during her upcoming LEEP, loop electro-excision procedure. The LEEP will remove pre-cancerous cells and possibly save the patient's life.
4:30p.m., Oneonta, NY: A Nurse Practitioner counsels a teen patient about risk reduction and gives her a package of two emergency contraception pills. The patient, relieved, has just avoided a possible unintended pregnancy.
5:00p.m., Sidney, NY: Two women get their coats in the waiting room. One has just had an STD test and her friend has come along for moral support. The patient is glad to hear her tests came back negative. Her friend, inspired, books an appointment for herself on the way out.
6:00p.m., Norwich, NY: A smiling pregnant woman leaves her Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP) appointment with a bag full of books, magazines, product samples, vitamins and diapers. This is her first pregnancy and the nurse was glad to answer all her questions.
7:00p.m., Walton, NY: A couple talks to a Nurse Practitioner about their desire to have a baby. She educates the couple about fertility, conception and health care.
8:00p.m., Several locations: Closing time. The last patients leave and the staff lock up the offices, eager to care for tomorrow's patients.
