PACN community panel speaks to meeting needs of medically underserved

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - PACN today hosted a panel of community members to discuss the need of no-cost well-woman services in Montgomery and north Harris counties. Members addressed the economic, business and medical stand-points of a clinic completely funded by grants and community donors, which offers a “whole care” approach for medically underserved women.

Panelists included PACN Executive Director Cindy Sunday Powell, Lonestar Family Heath Center Director of Business Development Marilyn Kasmiersky, PACN's Claudia Riedlinger, FNP-BC, and Robert Squire, LPC, Crossroads Christian Counseling Center.

Eighty-six percent of the clients PACN serves come from low-income households making under $30,000 annually. These clients make too much money to qualify for government assistance, yet not enough to pay for insurance on their own. Without insurance, a typical well-woman exam costs $150 out of pocket.

“Not only will PACN’s services continue to be no-cost, but each client will be able to sit down with a nurse practitioner and discuss valid health concerns she may have, while receiving medically accurate, educational materials to aid her in making healthy lifestyle choices. It’s so much more than just a medical check-up,” stated PACN's Claudia Riedlinger, FNP-BC.

Panelists discussed how critical preventative reproductive health care can play a large role in addressing the spread of STDs. In addition to a Pap smear and breast exam, PACN clients can also be tested for HPV, HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Many women do not immediately recognize or even present symptoms associated with these STDs. Regular well-woman exams and Pap smears with HPV testing are a critical step in addressing cervical cancer, reducing the spread of STDs and other serious health conditions.

“Many of our clients have expressed that they would like to receive additional services from PACN. We believe this is because of the type of care and respect that is given. Out of the 254 counties in Texas, 35 account for 80 percent of the uninsured population with Houston, making up 30 percent,” said Cindy Sunday Powell, Executive Director for PACN. “PACN has served the under-resourced of Montgomery and north Harris counties for more than 20 years, and will continue to serve clients with excellence and the highest level of dignity and respect.”

The panel lunch concluded with a tour of the Spring/Woodlands center and an exclusive preview of the expanded medical wing to open this fall..

PACN's well-woman clinic will be open two days each week, and will initially see 10 patients each week. Beginning in January 2015, the number of patients seen will increase to15-20 a week.

About PACN
PACN (Pregnancy Assistance Center North) is a 501(c)3 non-profit pregnancy medical clinic that empowers and educates regarding pregnancy and sexual health issues. PACN offers free and confidential services including ultrasounds, pregnancy and STD/HIV testing, educational classes and programs, and support groups. PACN also operates “It’s All Good,” a thrift store in Conroe. To learn more, visit www.pacn.org.