Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic, or KBFPC, has been awarded the Alaska Community Service Award for Health by the Alaska Public Health Association.
The annual award recognizes an organization, business or group making a significant contribution to improving the health of Alaskans. Clinic Manager Catriona Reynolds and Youth Health Education and Programs Manager Anna Meredith accepted the award on behalf of KBFPC at the 33rd Annual Health Summit in Anchorage.
KBFPC was nominated by two representatives from the State of Alaska Division of Public Health: Kelly Keeter, adult health services and family planning program manager, and Jenny Baker, adolescent health project coordinator.
In their nomination Keeter and Baker noted that KBFPC “is well-overdue for recognition of its accomplishments and contributions to the public health of the lower Kenai Peninsula and the state of Alaska,” as it “continues to go above and beyond to meet the ever-changing needs of their community.”
The award recognized KBFPC’s community outreach and support; provision of high quality, low cost family planning and related preventive health services; coordination with local primary care and preventive services providers; collaboration with other health and social services agencies to assure the safety and health of all members of the community; tireless commitment to educating the community about the importance of healthy youth and individuals of all ages; and continuous improvement of services and processes.
KBFPC was formed in 1983 by a group of local volunteers concerned about lack of access to up-to-date, factual information on reproductive health. Today it offers breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraceptive counseling and supplies, pre-conception counseling, and STD testing and treatment for approximately 1,000 men and women each year, regardless of ability to pay.
The organization also provides youth health education through partnerships with local schools and healthy alternative activities for teens through The R.E.C. Room, a youth Resource and Enrichment Co-op.
To learn more, visit KBFPC.org and
HomerRECroom.org.
