Richards’ Announces Plans to Step Down

POUGHKEEPSIE – Planned Parenthood announced Friday that after 12 years of service to the organization, Cecile Richards will be stepping down as president in 2018. Under Richards’ leadership, Planned Parenthood has grown stronger than ever. Locally, at Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley, they’ve been fortunate to enjoy the same growth and ever-increasing commitment to providing high-quality, affordable health care to our patients.

“Cecile has been a truly inspirational leader whose vision for Planned Parenthood has brought the organization to new and exciting levels,” said Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley President and Chief Executive Officer Ruth-Ellen Blodgett. “We sincerely thank Cecile, who we had the pleasure of hosting for a patient roundtable discussion in Kingston last year, for more than a decade of dedicated service. Planned Parenthood’s health care, education, and advocacy efforts have been profoundly enriched by her leadership, and the impact Cecile’s work has had on women’s health and rights is unparalleled.”

During Cecile’s time as president, she grew Planned Parenthood’s base of supporters from 3 million to 11 million and helped to build the organization’s donor base to its largest ever. She has led efforts to create new ways for Planned Parenthood patients to get the care they need with the technology they use every day.

“Thanks in part to Cecile’s work at the national level, Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley is in an optimal position to continue delivering on our promise and mission to provide quality, accessible sexual and reproductive health care to all 20,000 of our patients and ensuring reproductive freedom for everyone,” said Blodgett. “We are committed to carrying on Cecile’s legacy here at Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley.”