Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette Appoints Dr. Sara Kennedy as Chief Executive Officer
For Immediate Release: Feb. 1, 2024
Portland, Oregon – Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette (PPCW), the largest nonprofit sexual and reproductive health care provider in Oregon and SW Washington, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sara Kennedy as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective March 4, 2024.
Dr. Kennedy expressed excitement about joining PPCW and the opportunity to collaborate with PPCW’s talented team. “I am honored to join the PPCW team, an outstanding Planned Parenthood affiliate with a deep commitment to delivering equitable, quality, and inclusive health care and education throughout Oregon and SW Washington. At a time when reproductive and human rights are under attack, we will work together to expand our services and our reach, to be a safe place for all people to receive quality health care in Oregon and SW Washington.”
Dr. Kennedy is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, with a Fellowship in Family Planning, specializing in abortion, contraception, and clinical research. She also has a Master of Public Health. With a distinguished career spanning 15 years, Dr. Kennedy has held various leadership positions, most recently at Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNorCal) where she was both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer. During her tenure at PPNorCal, Dr. Kennedy oversaw all operational and clinical aspects of health care delivery in their seventeen health centers and Telehealth across Northern California. Her primary interest is providing organizational leadership centered on health equity to improve public health outcomes. During her tenure at PPNorCal, Dr. Kennedy spearheaded a statewide collaborative project with the California Department of Public Health and the seven California Planned Parenthood affiliates to prevent congenital syphilis and address the epidemic of sexually transmitted infections. She is also a trained forensic medical examiner for individuals seeking asylum in the U.S. from sexual violence and torture. Dr. Kennedy is moving to Portland with her husband and three children later this spring.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sara Kennedy as our new CEO,” states Kenji Nozaki, PPCW Interim President and CEO. “Sara is well-known for her outstanding leadership and expertise throughout Planned Parenthood and will be invaluable in guiding PPCW through the next phase of growth and development, especially as more people nationwide look to Oregon for access to reproductive care.”
PPCW Board Chair Sally Brown states, “We are deeply honored to have Sara join our organization. Sara’s extensive experience and knowledge consistently demonstrate exceptional vision and strategic acumen. We are thrilled that she is bringing her driving innovative approach to PPCW.”
Dr. Sara Kennedy will fill the President and CEO position vacancy after Anne Udall’s retirement in August 2023. During her six-year tenure, Udall played a pivotal role in PPCW’s growth and achievements, and the organization extends its gratitude for her contributions.
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Founded in 1963, PPCW is the largest sexual and reproductive health care and education nonprofit in Oregon and SW Washington, serving communities at their eight health center locations.
Contact: [email protected]