TRAVERSE CITY — Planned Parenthood's East Eighth Street health center will be renamed to honor a local woman and mark a generous gift.
Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan, Inc. will change the name of its Traverse City Health Center to the Karen Christensen Walker Health Center. Walker, a former president of the agency's board, and her husband Edward C. Walker donated an undisclosed but "significant" sum, officials said.
The donation helps jump start a $3 million fundraising campaign for the Planned Parenthood affiliate, which raised $2.5 million toward that goal. Officials this week announced the public phase of the drive that will pay for technology, health center renovations and expansions, and go toward the endowment fund. The local affiliate covers a 52-county area, from Grand Rapids through the Upper Peninsula.
"We just want to assure that Planned Parenthood will always be here," said Karen Christensen Walker, of Traverse City.
Men's and women's reproductive health issues are "very important," she said, and "we care greatly about health care for everyone."
Planned Parenthood is in the process of assessing how its health centers can improve and become more efficient, said Karen Griggs, regional medical services manager north. The Traverse City center serves just under 2,000 patients a year for a total of about 5,000 annual visits. The campaign, which is in addition to a yearly operational fundraiser, will help the agency switch to electronic medical records and meet the region's needs.
"There's been a greater need from our patients for low-cost and affordable services," Griggs said.
The economic downturn as well as changes in health care coverage are reasons for the increased demand for care, officials said. Building the endowment fund allows Planned Parenthood "to serve people of all ages and all economic status, regardless of their ability to pay," said affiliate President and CEO Katherine Humphrey.
Humphrey has been "thrilled" with the results so far from the fundraising effort.
"Planned Parenthood has some phenomenal supporters," she said. "They understand the enormous community need."
Region
Related Photos
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From left, Karen Griggs, regional medical services manager, Karen C. Walker and Jennifer Kirkpatrick Johnson, regional community services manager, at Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan in Traverse City. Record-Eagle/Keith King
Health Center named after local woman
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