Message From Board Chair
Reflecting on the impact you have helped Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest make this year, I’m filled with gratitude.
With your support, Planned Parenthood has been able to navigate an uncertain health care landscape, emerging stronger, more effective, and better prepared for what’s to come. Most importantly, Planned Parenthood has kept showing up for patients when they need us most.
A highlight of the year was reopening the Imperial Valley Homan Center after it was destroyed in a fire in 2023—a powerful reminder of Planned Parenthood’s resilience and dedication to providing care, no matter what. We also connected more patients to critical services such as gender-affirming hormone therapy, ensuring more people can get the support they need and deserve. And, as always, Planned Parenthood’s health centers delivered the essential day-to-day care that keeps our communities healthy and thriving.
As we thank Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson for her fearless leadership, we thank you for your continued partnership, and look forward to Planned Parenthood’s next great chapter of service and compassionate care. Thank you for standing with us.
With deep appreciation,
Naomi Soto
Board Chair
DARRAH’S LEGACY
After 20 years of dedicated leadership, Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson is stepping down as President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.
Darrah’s tenure has been defined by her deep, personal commitment to the protection and expansion of access to sexual and reproductive health care. “Great organizations like Planned Parenthood are strong, capable, and resilient because they are constantly evolving—and good leaders do the same,” Darrah says.
Over the course of nearly two decades, Darrah oversaw significant investment in the facilities, programs, and staff that would best support the agency’s vast service region. With warmth and wisdom, she led Planned Parenthood through both celebratory milestones and challenging times—including frequent political attacks, the global pandemic, and the end of Roe. Under Darrah’s guidance, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest has expanded its reach and improved countless lives. Her leadership and vision will be missed, but her impact will continue to shape the organization for years to come.
When I was in high school, I knew some girls who had a good experience at Planned Parenthood. I am in college now and I went to Planned Parenthood for STI testing.
Everyone there made me feel so welcome. They answered all my questions and gave me all the information I needed. When I heard on social media that the Homan Center burned down [in 2023], it was really heartbreaking. I heard stories of young people having to travel elsewhere for their health appointments. It put an extra strain on the whole community. It was definitely a relief when Planned Parenthood reopened.
Faith Imperial Valley college student
A year after it was destroyed by a fire, the Imperial Valley Homan Center reopened its doors to a grateful community in September 2024.
After the fall of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the Homan Center, located near the California-Arizona border, became a critical access point for patients forced to travel from hostile states. Due to its national reputation as a safe haven for patients, where necessary health care services were promised to be confidential, accessible, and compassionate, the speedy rebuilding of the center was Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest’s top priority.
Generous donor support to the Campaign to Rebuild & Restore Access facilitated the timely reconstruction of the Imperial Valley’s only health center dedicated to sexual and reproductive health care, as well as the continued provision of essential services during the rebuild. The swift sourcing and opening of a temporary unit in the center’s parking lot ensured that patients could still access birth control, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, cancer screening, and abortion.
When I started my transition, Planned Parenthood was the only trusted provider of gender-affirming care here in Imperial County.
They not only helped me start my transition, they also absolutely helped save my life from despair and even self-harm. After such a tragic fire, I was filled with hope to see this health center rebuilt, re-energized, and reimagined.
Raúl Imperial Valley patient and activist
At 17, I began my journey with Planned Parenthood, where I accessed birth control and STI testing at no cost.
As a young woman, it is vital to take care of your health. Their invaluable resources provided me with affordable and essential sexual health care, empowering me to take control of my health and future.
Jasmin San Diego patient
I was inspired to work here because of the mission.
In high school, I got birth control for the first time at Planned Parenthood. It allowed me to focus on my studies, go on to college and from there go on to grad school, being the first person in my family to do so, and now I am able to have this career and this life that I love.
Leiana Regional Director at Planned Parenthood
HEALTH CARE
Providing stigma-free STI screening, testing, and treatment
Last year, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest played a critical role in California’s ongoing efforts to combat record-high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and end the HIV epidemic.
All Planned Parenthood health centers provide stigma-free STI screening, testing, and treatment; PrEP and PEP prescriptions to reduce the chance of acquiring HIV; and compassionate, nonjudgmental education. We provided more than 430,000 STI tests last year.
Thanks to our new STI mail-in kits, patients with no symptoms could conveniently test themselves at home. With donor support, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest strives to make regular testing more accessible and affordable.
Unique to Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest is the David V. Karney Lab, housed at the First Avenue Michelle Wagner Center in San Diego. An in-house lab allows us to process the most common STIs and enables us to send patients their test results within 7-10 days, which means more peace of mind and faster access to treatment.
By The Numbers
Unfortunately, the center I used to go to in Arizona is no longer there.
It makes me sad to know that people growing up in the town where I grew up no longer have the access that I did. It’s so important to fight to keep these institutions open and safe for the next generation.
Katie San Diego-based craftivist and Planned Parenthood supporter
Education
Sex Ed 2.0
Students in many sex ed classes receive information about reproductive anatomy, birth control, and how to reduce their risk of getting STIs. Young people in our three-county region are getting an extra layer of sexual health education thanks to advanced classes developed and taught by our sex educators. These classes help students in our three-county region build the skills they need to form respectful relationships, develop a healthy self-image, and protect themselves on the internet. These courses are also available across the country and around the world through our free online teacher training resource, Sex Ed To-Go. This program equips teachers to provide sex education classes in person and provides online courses teachers can assign directly to students.
By The Numbers
When I graduated high school I wanted to seek out more information about my sexual health and wellness.
I sought out Planned Parenthood due to its strong mission of discretion, affordability, and education. They made me leave feeling confident and empowered to take care of my health!
Lex San Diego patient
Advocacy
Expanding Protection for Patients, Staff, and Health Centers
Thanks to new laws supported by Planned Parenthood, patients will have stronger legal protection from the harassment of protesters as they walk into our health centers. Across California, a person could face felony charges if they harass or intimidate staff or patients in our health centers or online. And in San Diego, protesters can only distribute flyers and approach people entering our health centers if they are explicitly asked for more information. These protections are more critical than ever because our patients, staff, and facilities are facing increased attacks.
By The Numbers
I am a longtime supporter of Planned Parenthood.
This year, I let my social media followers know how simple and easy it is to get tested for STIs at Planned Parenthood because I know how important it is to have that peace of mind.
Amber St. James San Diego patient and advocate
@mxsstjames
