In July RETA will begin looking for a like-minded, pro-life nurse practitioner who will provide free gynecological exams for women. These exams and basic testing will be at no cost to our clients. Our hope in offering gynecological care is to help educate women about sexual health, provide more comprehensive STI testing and treatment, and promote overall health especially within our vulnerable population.

Within 2 years of adding gynecological care for women we hope to extend our services to include prenatal care up to 20 weeks. This would help pregnant women get early prenatal screening at no cost to them. We would also be able to connect them with Healthy Babies who will help them navigate getting set up with Medicaid, so that we can get them plugged in to a provider. All while having no delay in the prenatal care they need. This helps remove a barrier women have when considering different life options for their pregnancies.

We believe both the immediate and short-term vision of adding a nurse practitioner helps support our mission of providing life affirming services, while building Christ centered families. We will be able to come alongside these women at different stages of care and guide them in decision making. This may be before they are pregnant by talking about sexual health and risk and boundaries while meeting their immediate needs. It may be during early pregnancy while they are faced with an unplanned pregnancy and the choices that come with parenting, adoption, or abortion. Lastly, after having a baby, they are still able to care for themselves while taking care of their children. Overall adding a nurse practitioner provides more holistic care to a woman and her baby and directly supports our mission here at RETA.

by Brittany, Clinic Director