Today we welcomed Crystal Collette, CEO of Planned Parenthood of the North Country New York (PPNCNY), as our guest speaker. Drawing from her deeply personal journey—from her an impactful career in hospice and aging services and now to Planned Parenthood, Crystal shared a powerful vision of healthcare equity. She emphasized that true healthcare is about helping people take control of their own lives and bodies, ensuring they are active participants in their care alongside their doctors. While many know PPNCNY for family planning, Crystal reminded us that they are one of the largest primary care providers in the North Country, offering essential services like cancer screenings, STI treatment, gender-affirming care, and sexual violence prevention programs in local schools.
Crystal also directly addressed the realities of human trafficking in our region, highlighting how PPNCNY collaborates with community partners to identify risks and support vulnerable individuals near the border.
Despite current legal divisions and looming cuts to Medicaid funding that threaten patient coverage, PPNCNY is fighting back. Thanks to a generous $50,000 marketing grant from the Cloudsplitter Foundation, the organization is launching a major campaign this fall to reach patients, expand care like menopause and men’s sexual health services, and ensure no one is left behind.
Crystal also directly addressed the realities of human trafficking in our region, highlighting how PPNCNY collaborates with community partners to identify risks and support vulnerable individuals near the border.
Despite current legal divisions and looming cuts to Medicaid funding that threaten patient coverage, PPNCNY is fighting back. Thanks to a generous $50,000 marketing grant from the Cloudsplitter Foundation, the organization is launching a major campaign this fall to reach patients, expand care like menopause and men’s sexual health services, and ensure no one is left behind.
