UHPP 90th Anniversary Gala

JUNE 13, 2024

Message from the President/CEO & Board Chair

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP) is thrilled to welcome you to our 90th Anniversary Gala, we could not be more excited to celebrate this important milestone with all of you!

Tonight, we will reflect on our rich history, the struggles we’ve endured, and the incredible tenacity, courage, and leadership of those who have made us who we are today. We are proud of how far we’ve come. We’re stronger than ever because we’ve needed to be.

In New York State and at UHPP, we stand resilient, bolstered by unwavering community support. For our work to continue, we rely on strong alliances with local elected representatives, our coalition partners, dedicated advocates, and philanthropic support.

All proceeds from the 90th Anniversary Gala will go toward delivering care at over 16,000 visits each year in Albany, Columbia, Greene, and Rensselaer counties through UHPP’s three health centers (Albany, Hudson, and Troy), and our education programs.

By celebrating with us tonight, you keep our movement alive and inspired. Your support helps to secure our future, while also honoring our past. You ensure we can advocate for the freedoms we all want and deserve, so that they can be protected and enjoyed for generations to come. Together we can make UHPP the best it can be every day for our patients, community, and ourselves.

Thank you for standing strong in support of our mission. Because of you we will continue delivering on our promise of care, no matter what; today, tomorrow and long into the future.

In solidarity,

Chelly Hegan President & CEO

6:30PM Welcome

7:00PM Remarks and Award Presentations

7:45PM

Dessert and dancing

Our HONOREES

Assemblymember George Michaels Award for Bravery

Patricia A. McGeown

This award is named for the late Assemblymember George Michaels, whose courageous vote played a pivotal role in the passage of abortion rights law in New York in 1970. We are honored to commemorate his political bravery and celebrate the fearless advocacy of a local champion.

Patricia A. McGeown served as UHPP’s President and CEO from 1995-2012. During her tenure, UHPP withstood significant challenges to federal and state funding; alarming threats to staff and patient security; several major changes in health care financing; and relentless attacks on the organization’s brand and reputation. Despite this constant opposition, under her leadership, UHPP grew to meet the needs of our community through improved facilities, expanded services, and educational programs.

Pat started at Planned Parenthood during a time of escalated violence against abortion providers across the country. Pat immediately increased security measures and procedures at the UHPP health centers and developed what continues to be a strong relationship with local, state, and federal law enforcement officials. She helped organize local coalitions and a strong activist base that worked to pass both New York State’s clinic access law and the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. She participated in state level negotiations and lobby efforts that led to the Family Planning Benefit Program and the Women’s Health and Wellness Act. These initiatives help ensure that people in New York, regardless of their income or insurance status, have access to preventive reproductive health services are a cornerstone of our vision of care, no matter what. A cornerstone of our vision of care, no matter what. Pat’s leadership inspired new vision and growth for our organization and toward the end of her journey as CEO, she successfully launched a Capital Campaign to relocate the agency’s administrative offices and Albany health center from Lark Street to a larger, state-of-the-art facility at 855 Central Avenue.

Pat has also held an appointment as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University at Albany’s School of Public Health for over 20 years. Pat remarks on so many great experiences in her life, but she describes the most incredible experience of all as becoming mother in-law to her son Michael’s wonderful wife Kasuni and grandmother to the amazing Kiran.

Volunteer of the Year Award

Abortion Doula Program

Presented by Dr. Lee Stetzer, UHPP Medical

Director

Accepted by Mallory Emerson and Tamara Stewart

In late 2023, UHPP introduced an abortion doula program aimed at offering comprehensive physical, emotional, and informational support to patients throughout their abortion visits including during the procedure. The volunteer certified abortion doula’s role is to enhance the comfort of patients by ensuring they have essential amenities, such as providing snacks and maintaining a warm environment. Additionally, they can engage in discussions about feelings and thoughts, offer distractions through unrelated conversations, guide patients in practicing focused breathing and relaxation techniques, provide reassurance, offer hand-holding or comforting touches, and support patients in advocating for themselves. UHPP has wanted to offer our patients comprehensive physical, emotional, and informational support throughout their abortion visit. We appreciate their volunteer service to our patients and community and bringing their expertise and background to enhance our vision of care at UHPP. This volunteer program exemplifies what it means to care, no matter what.

Coalition and Community Partner Award

The Save Burdett Birth Center Coalition

Presented by New York State Assemblymember John McDonald

Accepted by members of the Coalition

The Save Burdett Birth Center Coalition (SBBCC) is a community of individuals and partner organizations committed to preserving Burdett Birth Center and its safe, respectful, midwifery model of maternity care. Through public awareness campaigns and direct conversations, SBBCC aims to organize community input and disperse information, holding Trinity Health, St. Peter’s Hospital, and the NYS Department of Health accountable for maintaining quality maternity care in Rensselaer County by ensuring that the doors of Burdett Birth Center remain open.

On April 29, 2024, St. Peter’s announced that with funding secured in the New York State budget, Burdett Birth Center would remain open for at least 5 more years, and they would rescind their closure plan.

Presenting Gala SPONSORS

Chet and Karen Opalka

Gold Silver

Noelle M. Kinsch and Hon. Darius Shahinfar

Dr. Elizabeth Warner and Dr. Graham Moore

Bronze

Ellen Cosgrove MD and Jeffrey Fahl MD

Drs. Maureen Killackey and Bruce Pinkernell

Diane Lombardi and Steve Greenberg

Mark Napier and Nicole Theodosiou

Frances Spark and Michel Goldberg

Carol B. Swyer

The Umlauf Family

Honorary COMMITTEE

Dr. Mary Applegate and Mr. Charles Fisher

Phoebe Powell Bender

Liz Benjamin

Michael Boots and Brian Barlow

Caroline Brancatella and Kent Sopris

Charlotte Buchanan

Meredith Butler and Gloria DeSole

CapitalWomen

Christa and Michael Christakis

Corey Jamison Consulting

Ruth Dinowitz

Judy Disco and Barbara Goldstein

Carolyn Ehrlich and Judah Eisenhandler

Hon. Ginnie Farrell

Judith Fetterley

Christine Florez

Cheryl Gelder-Kogan and Barry A. Kogan, MD

Karen and Mark Glaser

M. Sherry Gold

Jill S. Goodman and Arthur N. Malkin

Shirley and Herb Gordon

Margaret and Jonathan Harvey

Chelly and Padraic Hegan

Karen Kalaijian and David Shaw

Pauline Kamen Miller

Holly Katz and William Harris

Ellen and Gerry Katzman

Rebecca Keim and Nathan Pruitt

Amy Kellogg

Ruth S. Klepper

Lynn Kopka

Kasuni Kotelawala and Michael McGeown-Walker

Beatrice Kovasznay

Sara and Joel Kremer

Mollie Lampi and Bernard Melewski

Caroline W. T. Lang, Esq.

Dr. Jennie Law

Martha and Leo Levy

Cathie Love and George Berg

Barbara and Charles Manning

Susan McCormick

Pam McDevitt

Patricia A. McGeown and Donald Walker

Dr. Kerstin Medwin and Sean McGarry

Daniel Melamed, M.D. and Gabe Brown

Annette Nanes

Katie Neer and Brad Fischer

Carol Nersinger

Cassie Prugh and Dave Dutkiewicz

Jackie Roberts, In Memory of Walter

Douglas Payne

Margaret and John Sherman

Dr. Rebecca Stetzer and Dr. Lee Stetzer

Kathleen Tanner

Paul D. Tonko

Melanie Trimble

Josey Twombly

Dr. and Mrs. Sanford Ullman

Stephanie Wacholder and Ira Mendleson III

Christine Ward

Gwen Wright and Geri Pomerantz, Esq

Hon. Deborah Zamer and Dr. Josh Zamer

List as of June 7, 2024

Our BOARD

Gwen Wright, Chairperson

Charlie Ferrusi, Vice Chairperson

Tricia Asaro, Treasurer

Jennie Law, Secretary

Katie Neer, Past-Chairperson

Liz Benjamin

Courtney Brunelle-Kim

Phil Burse

Kathleen Godfrey

Sharece Johnson

Diane Lombardi

Adolfo Lopez

Pamela McDevitt

Mark Napier

Josh Oppenheimer

Shontell Smith

Our MISSION

Our mission is to promote healthy sexuality and protect reproductive choice for all through exceptional services, honest education and fearless advocacy.

Each year Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood offers comprehensive sexual health care and education programming throughout Albany, Columbia, Greene, and Rensselaer counties at our three health centers (Albany, Hudson, and Troy).

Albany

855 Central Avenue

Albany, NY 12206

Hudson

804 Columbia Street

Hudson, NY 12534

Troy

120 Hoosick Street

Troy, NY 12180

By the NUMBERS

2023 Data

8,700 Patients

16,594 Patient visits

12,685 birth control services

20,299 tests and treatments for STIs

1,318 pap tests and breast exams

1,316 behavioral health sessions

2,575 abortion vists

2,192 transgender health care vists

1,916 education program attendees

Upcoming EVENTS

Please join us for one of our upcoming actions or events! Visit uhpp.org for more information.

Phone Banking; We have begun calling supporters to build our base of volunteers to support our work on the NYS Equal Rights Amendment. Join us for an upcoming phone bank - you will be trained on the spot, no experience necessary! Each session begins at 5:30pm at our Albany Health Center; 855 Central Ave. Albany, NY. Monday, June 10, Monday, June 24, Monday, July 8 and Monday. July 22.

Hudson Pride; hosted by OutHudson; Saturday, June 22 at 2pm; 7th Street Park, Hudson, NY

End of Summer Celebration with UHPP; Thursday, September 12; Union Street Brewing Co.; 716 Union St. Hudson, NY

UHPP’s Fall Advocacy Summit; Wednesday, October 9; Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle St. Albany, NY

Help us celebrate our 90th anniversary! Please consider a donation of $90 today!