This blog post was written by Laura Anderson, Doctor of Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Clinic Manager at the Beloit Area Community Health Center.
October is just around the corner, and we are celebrating! What may you ask? Well, October is not only breast cancer awareness month, but also the First Anniversary of Beloit Area Community Health Center’s Prenatal Care Coordination program and Women’s Health services!
Tell me more!
The Prenatal Care Coordination Program and services are designed to help pregnant moms have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. We start by identifying risk factors that may contribute to poor birth outcomes such as infant death, still birth, and low birth weight babies. We then help moms improve those risks through access to resources, learning healthy habits, and promoting prenatal care. Early prenatal care is extremely important to help us identify potential complications with the pregnancy, so they can be managed effectively throughout the pregnancy. The PNCC program doesn’t take the place of prenatal care but works in coordination with your medical team to provide the best outcomes possible. Best of all, it is a benefit typically covered by mom’s insurance.
The Women’s Health Team includes Chief Medical Officer Dr. Prashanti Pilla, MD, Laura Anderson, DNP, Lori Soderberg, RN, PNCC, Zylvia Ramos, PNCC, and Medical Assistant Stephanie Kluck. To learn more about the Prenatal Care Coordination program and Women’s Health services, check out this page.
What else?
Women’s Health Services turns one! And to celebrate, we are honoring women on that date by focusing our efforts on the care of women. From well woman exams to birth control, to OB care, to menopause, we are here for you!
We know the statistics: One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes in the US. This makes it the most common cancer in American women. When caught early, the survival rate is up to 99%. Screening is done through a breast exam and mammogram.
Cervical cancer is the 4th common cancer in women. Screening is done with a test called a pap smear. This is a collection of cells from the cervix. Screening is done every 3-5 years and starts at age 21. The most common cause of cervical cancer is the virus called HPV. Best news yet, there is a vaccine that can help prevent HPV, which helps decrease cervical cancer. And, we have it available in the clinic.
Celebrate Women’s Health with us!
Come celebrate with us. Schedule your women’s health exam between 8:30am and 3pm on October 4th.
Join us for cake and cookies as we celebrate the prenatal care coordination program from 4pm – 5pm that same day.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Pilla and Laura at Beloit Area Community Health Center by calling 608-361-0311. Laura and Dr. Pilla accept most insurances and are accepting new patients. Learn more about Laura, DNP and Dr. Pilla, MD here.
