After extensive building and service expansions, Tempe Planned Parenthood re-opened their doors just a few blocks from ASU's Tempe campus on March 23. The health center provides important information and services to students and the Tempe community.
Director of Communication and Marketing, Melissa Fink, said the $450,000 building expansion provides more comfort, space and privacy to patients.
Yolanda Chavez, a sexual health educator at Planned Parenthood, said in addition to a beautifully renovated building with increased room and facilities, the Tempe Health Center has also expanded its educational role.
"Now the Tempe center has a place for classes and training for individuals who are apart of our community outreach programs," Chavez said. "They don't have to come all the way down to the administrative building in Phoenix anymore."
Planned Parenthood's community outreach programs welcome parents, educators and private groups to train in educating students, youth groups and communities in sexual health education.
Psychology junior Jessica Armendariz, noticed the Tempe Planned Parenthood Health Center open again.
"As a college student, I'd go to Planned Parenthood over ASU Campus Health Center for women's health issues because I hear they're cheaper, and being in college, money matters," Armendariz said. "But as a woman, I don't think it matters where you go as long as you are taking care of yourself and your body and getting the information you need."
Haley Carlson, a communication sophomore waiting for an appointment at Campus Health Service, said going to appointments on campus is still the easiest for her.
"Stopping off at Health Services is convenient in between my classes. I'm on campus all day," Carlson said. "I heard Planned Parenthood is a little cheaper, but if you're a student with health insurance, it's not that expensive to stay on campus."
Chavez said ASU students can benefit from Planned Parenthood's expansion by receiving more information on sexual health and services at affordable costs if they choose to do it in a private setting removed from campus, but still within walking distance.
"It would benefit students to find out the ASU costs and do a price comparison with Planned Parenthood, to see if our services are more affordable to students," Chavez said.
According to Planned Parenthood's Web site, birth control pills cost $15 to $35 a month. In comparison, ASU Campus Health Services' Web site says birth control pills start at $20.
ASU Campus Health Services provide physical exams, PAP smears, STD checks, contraceptive counseling and emergency contraceptives for women's health. In addition to those services, Planned Parenthood offers pregnancy and adoption planning, as well as abortion services within their facilities.
Although Planned Parenthood does not release information on the number of students utilizing their services, they provide medical services to about 60,000 people in their central and northern Arizona office locations.
Tempe's Planned Parenthood Health Center is located at 1250 E. Apache Blvd. For more information, visit www.plannedparenthood.org.
