Island Reproductive Health Initiative Holds First Public Meeting

On Monday, December 13^th, from 5:30 P.M. to 7:00, at the Orcas School Library, the Island Reproductive Health Initiative will hold a general meeting to review our progress and to plan for the future. All are invited to attend.

Island Reproductive Health Initiative (IRHI) was formed in June, 2009, and work began on implementing the proposed cooperative effort among Orcas Family Health Center, Orcas Medical Center, Treehouse Pediatrics, Orcas Island Family Medicine, and our certified Nurse Midwife. (Since then, Dr. Evan Buxbaum has had to close the doors of Treehouse Pediatrics.)

Word has spread quickly during this first year. The number of IRHI patients seen in the past three months has significantly increased. Our initial estimate of helping 35 to 50 patients annually is likely to be exceeded. Even so, through IRHI we islanders will be able to accommodate these patients, not for the originally-suggested $50,000.00 to would have taken to bring Planned Parenthood back to Orcas, but for only $25,000.00 per year.

IRHI is an example of the true collaboration that can take place here on Orcas.  Orcas Family Connection’s Board President, Ethna Flanagan, and Orcas Island Prevention Partnership’s Director, Marta Nielson, facilitated the early meetings. Orcas PTSA past president, Barbara Skotte, was a strong advocate for school-based education. Greg Ayers, of the Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF), and a physician himself, joined the group to help develop the protocols, as well as to set up working connections with the OMF and Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF). Jean Henigson became the fund-raising leader for the group, and coordinator of information and needs with other organizations through OIPP.

IRHI has been functioning for more than one year. Nielson says, “Now it is important to assess to what extent our initial goals have been achieved, report on our current successes and problems, and discuss how to solve the problems to insure that IRHI can continue to successfully meet these goals.

Prior to an open discussion, we will hear reports from several individuals who have been involved in the following specific facets of IRHI’s functions: medical providers,education, teen outreach, and fundraising.