Southeast native and long-time Planned Parenthood leader, Jenny Black, took the helm of one of Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s largest affiliates in the region, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (PPSAT), as president and CEO last week.
Black joined the newly formed organization, with headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina following the merger of Planned Parenthood Health Systems and Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, two strong affiliates founded more than 30 years ago that came together officially through merger earlier this year after decades working in partnership.
The new affiliate operates 15 health centers providing high quality, affordable health care, including three in Virginia in Blacksburg, Roanoke and Charlottesville. PPSAT also has health centers across North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
“As Planned Parenthood South Atlantic’s first CEO, I am honored and humbled by the prospect of building on the legacy of two strong affiliates and CEOs, who paved the way for us to come together as one to provide health care, education, and advocacy across our region,” Black said of her new role.
“While we face unprecedented challenges in a rapidly changing healthcare environment and political landscape hostile to women’s health, we also have an unprecedented opportunity to work together to meet these challenges head on with more combined capacity and expertise than ever before.”
Black is a long-time Planned Parenthood leader who started her career with Planned Parenthood of New Mexico in 1999 as Vice President of Operations and Patient Services. In this role she gained a deep appreciation and understanding of the daily challenges and rewards involved in delivering healthcare to thousands of patients annually who rely on Planned Parenthood to provide high quality, nonjudgmental care.
Black was promoted to CEO of Planned Parenthood of New Mexico and later returned to the east coast in her most recent role leading Planned Parenthood of Maryland. She joins Planned Parenthood South Atlantic with more than 15 years of leadership experience and a deeply held commitment to Planned Parenthood’s mission.
“I believe strongly in Planned Parenthood’s role as a trusted provider of healthcare and education as well as our role as an advocate, particularly for the patients we serve,” Black said.
“We have a responsibility to make sure that the women, men and young people who rely on Planned Parenthood in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia continue to have access to high quality, compassionate care. Together with our dedicated staff, supporters, community partners, and volunteers this is what we will do, no matter what.”
Black’s first day with Planned Parenthood South Atlantic was April 7.
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