Planned Parenthood merger announced with Burlington center

Iowa's last independent affiliate of Planned Parenthood will merge with Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, officials announced Monday, May 23, 2011.

Burlington-based Planned Parenthood of Southeast Iowa and the Des Moines-based site have signed a letter of intent to merge into one affiliate by June 30, 2011.

Once the merger is complete, the only affiliate in Iowa will be Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.

The Burlington clinic currently does not provide abortions.

Cherry Klein, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southeast Iowa, said she is unsure if abortion will be added once the merger is complete.

Other potential new services include adoption, sexual assault exams and expanded services for men.

“Some of these may be found to be needed in southeast Iowa,” said Klein, who will stay on with Planned Parenthood as a regional director. “I'm really excited. I think this will allow us to bring more services to the area.”

Klein said staffing levels also will be assessed to see if changes are needed.

A merger between Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa, with offices in Cedar Rapids and Dubuque, was completed earlier this year.

Jill June, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, will continue in her position. The joint administrative office will remain in Des Moines, under the name Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.

After the merger is complete, the affiliate will operate 25 health centers in Iowa, four in Nebraska and three Education Resource Centers in Des Moines, Lincoln and Omaha.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland serves more than 75,000 patients annually.