Planned Parenthood and San Rafael Chamber Celebrate Grand Opening of New Health Center in San Rafael

(Marin County, CA) Planned Parenthood Shasta Pacific (PPSP) and the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce commemorated the opening of PPSP’s new location at 2 H Street in San Rafael with a grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration on July 17.

More than 120 supporters, elected officials and community members, including Marin Board of Supervisors Susan Adams, Vice Mayor Barbara Heller, San Rafael City Councilmember Kate Conlin and the Marin Health and Human Services Director Larry Meredith joined Planned Parenthood and the Chamber for the celebration.  Planned Parenthood is excited and optimistic about becoming part of the Chamber and Marin business community.

“Planned Parenthood is thrilled to be operating once again in San Rafael.  We look forward to working with community leaders and other health care providers to ensure that all Marin County residents and the surrounding areas receive the health care they need to live healthy and productive lives,” said Heather Saunders Estes, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Shasta Pacific. 

“We are particularly grateful to Supervisor Susan Adams and the entire Board of Supervisors for securing $250,000 from the County in capital funding to help open our new facility so that Planned Parenthood can continue its 83-year tradition of being a safety net provider for low income women, men and families in Marin,” said Estes.

Planned Parenthood will provide a full-range comprehensive reproductive health services including birth control, breast and cervical cancer screening, STD testing and treatment, HIV testing, emergency contraception and abortion care, among other health services, including services for men.  The organization estimates that the health center in San Rafael will provide 8,000 to 12,000 client visits annually.  The facility will also house two health educators dedicated to providing health education in Marin, San Francisco and Sonoma Counties. 

“With the Affordable Care Act set to be fully implemented in 2014, we are pleased that, with our new facility, we will be able to meet the demand in Marin for our essential health services,” said Estes.

Planned Parenthood began operating in Marin County in 1930.  Today, PPSP provides health services, information and education to more than 130,000 people each year in 17 counties in Northern California.

The San Rafael Chamber is celebrating its 93 year anniversary in 2013 and represents nearly 600 members with over 10,000 employees. The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce is a member- based business advocacy organization providing a strong voice in support of the economic vitality of our community.