Claudia Stravato retires after 10 years of service as CEO of Amarillo's Planned Parenthood
Claudia Stravato retires at the end of the year.
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Amarillo's Planned Parenthood is undergoing some major changes. None larger than the retirement of Claudia Stravato after 10 years of service.
Christina Paullus, president of Friends of Planned Parenthood for the past two years, will step in at the beginning of 2009. Despite the rumors that current changes or protestors impacted the decision, Stravato says none of that is true.
"I want to spend a little time with my grandkids. I love to teach and love to garden, and I feel like there's a staff here committed to women's rights and well being of the uninsured," said Stravato.
Recently the Amarillo Planned Parenthood location separated from the national federation of Planned Parenthood. The major factors were forced autonomy and mergers on smaller franchises.
None of the services, or staffing will change. Funding is also secured through the state of Texas, so citizens will not be able to tell much of a difference from before the change. The exception is that Stravato, who will be officially gone January 1.
For the next six months Stravato will help Paullus with contracts, legislation issues, and insurance coverage. The new name for the 40-year-old organization will be the Texas Panhandle Family Planning and Health Center.
Stravato currently teaches part-time at West Texas A&M and will continue that work. She also will spend some much deserved time in her garden.
