Georgetown Health Center is one of four Indianapolis Planned Parenthood locations. The teamwork, dedication, and support of their staff, patients and community are perfect examples of how our mission positively impacts people for the better.
Located just northwest of the heart of downtown Indianapolis, Georgetown Health Center is one of the largest in the area and serves over 7,000 patients annually. It is equipped to offer a full range of procedures, including abortion services, with some patients traveling considerable distances to be seen.
“Many patients have come to us during this time of COVID-19 when their regular care providers were not available for appointments,” said Health Center Manager, Michelle Steele. “Patients and staff here are both thankful that our patients can still come to our health centers to continue to receive the care they need.”
But the care and support for others does not stop in Georgetown, solely with Georgetown patients.
“We are providers helping and teaching other providers,” Steele noted, proudly. She explained that the health center serves as a hub for a variety of resources with other local Planned Parenthoods. Steele said she and staff travel to other health centers regularly to provide labor resources like training, teaching, and extra hands.
“We have the freedom to be flexible,” Steele said. “I have one employee that goes up to Bloomington to help out on abortion procedure days. I’m in Lafayette a lot. We all just pitch in for each other.”
Georgetown also serves as a repository of medical supplies. “We’re an abortion as well as a family planning site, so we have a lot of supplies and resources,” Steele explained. “We can network supplies to other nearby health centers, and we keep weekly, ultra-accurate counts of PPE. [Health centers] can always help each other out.”
Regarding the impact of COVID-19, although patient volumes have not been heavily affected, Steele mentioned there have been many changes made in how care is provided: “The clinic has also been able to practice social distancing without having to limit our scheduling or turn patients away. Thankfully, the Georgetown clinic has kept a full schedule daily. We have implemented quite a few new policy changes and guidelines that coincide with CDC guidelines, county guidelines and social distancing. We are fortunate to have a triage team specifically for COVID-19 precautions that has been implemented for both patients and staff.”
Steele added she and staff have received many positive messages from patients and supporters, and summed up: “Our community – staff, patients and supporters – are all helping each other through a difficult time.”
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