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The History
of Founder’s Women’s Health Center |
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The Supreme Court Decision
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On January 22, 1973 in the case of Roe v.
Wade, the United States Supreme Court ruled against the anti-abortion laws
in every state in the United States. However, these laws had to be
challenged individually in each and every state.
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The First Legal Abortion In Ohio
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Dr. Harley M. Blank was asked by the
American Civil Liberties Union to support them in the law challenge in
Ohio. This challenge was successful and in February, 1973 Dr. Blank
performed the first legal abortion in the State of Ohio. Over the
next few months, Dr. Blank continued to perform abortions at his office
along with his partner, Dr. Myron E. Moorehead while they developed the
plans for opening the Founder’s Women’s Health Center. |
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Founder’s Women’s Health Center |
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On June 3, 1973, Founder’s Women’s Health
Center opened at 340 E. Broad
St., Columbus, Ohio with Dr. Blank, Dr. Moorehead and Dr. Walter Bond as
owners. After Dr. Bond’s untimely death in 1977, Dr. Moorhead moved
to New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Tony Sarin and Dr. Karl Schaeffer
joined Dr. Blank as partners. When Dr. Sarin moved to Troy, Ohio in
1991, Dr. Robert Chosy took his place. Dr. Chosy retired in 2000 and
Dr. Blank and Dr. Schaeffer have continued to operate Founder’s Women’s
Health Center through the present.
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Founder’s Women’s Health Center had moved
twice in 33 years and is now located in its own building. With each move,
we have improved our facility and our ability to serve our patients in a
quiet, personal, and friendly environment. |
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Founder’s
Women’s Health Center Today |
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State Certified Ambulatory Surgical
Facility (ASF)
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Our home at 1243 E. Broad St., Columbus,
Ohio has over 5000 square feet designed to provide a safe and comfortable
environment while meeting the stringent standards of being a State of
Ohio Certified Ambulatory Surgical Facility (ASF). |
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In order to be an ASF all aspects of
clinic operation must be inspected and approved by a State of Ohio Inspector . This includes business records, personnel records and staffing,
medical record keeping, safety equipment, medical equipment, fire safety
standards (as approved by the Columbus Fire Department), and all parts of
building construction and maintenance. |
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Personnel
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In addition to our doctors, our staff
consists of registered nurses trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support by
the American Heart Association, medical assistants, trained patient advocates, and business
personnel. Our staff is dedicated to the goal of supporting women to find
a satisfactory resolution to an unplanned pregnancy. Most of our staff
has been with us for over 20 years demonstrating both their experience and
their commitment to this mission. |
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Our Patients |
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Our patients are our most valuable
asset. Over the last 33 years 3 research papers have been written by
graduate students at The Ohio State University defining our patient’s
background and where they are from. As a result we know that our patients
are representative of all women in Ohio, Northern Kentucky, Western
Indiana, and Northern West Virginia. There are just as many college
graduates, secretaries, school teachers, waitresses, store clerks, etc.,
as in the general population. The racial and religious backgrounds are
also evenly distributed. An unplanned pregnancy recognizes no
socioeconomic class, education, occupation, or religious origins. |
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Patient Counseling |
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Of course our primary responsibility is
to provide abortion services for patients who want and need this service.
However, we provide extensive counseling to make sure that this is the
right decision for each patient. We offer referrals to adoption services,
counseling and shelter for women who are experiencing abuse, referrals for
pregnancy continuation, and referrals for women who need services for
other psychological or emotional problems. |
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Other Services
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In addition to abortion, we offer annual
exams and Pap smears, exams for female related health problems, sexually
transmitted disease testing including AIDS testing, and birth control
counseling and implementation.
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Financial Aid and Consideration |
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In 33 years we have never denied service
to anyone due to an inability to pay for those services. We work with
several organizations in an effort to provide financial aid to those in
need of this consideration. |
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