Before you read the profile below and learn about Bré Thomas, CEO of the Arizona Family Health Partnership, let us drop some local Arizona family planning knowledge on you.
Arizona Family Health Partnership (AFHP) is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to making reproductive healthcare and education available and accessible to all women, men and teens in Arizona, even if they lack health insurance or money. Full disclosure, Jovanna sits on the board.
The majority of AFHP services are provided through Title X (title ten) funding. Title X is a federal program that ensures that high quality and cost-effective family planning and related preventive health services are available for low-income women and men. These services range from contraception to cancer screenings.
In 2014 alone, AFHP had a hand in preventing an estimated 6,800 unintended pregnancies and an estimated 510 cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. To break it down in dolla dolla bills: for every dollar spent of public funding spent on contraceptive and preventative health services, Arizona saves $11.27.
Needless to say, we are super excited about the services provided as well as what those services mean for the bodily autonomy, health/well-being, career trajectory, pocketbooks, etc. of those who receive them. Stay up to date on AFHP and Title X funding by visiting the AFHP site and subscribing to email alerts!
Name: Bré Thomas
Hometown: Olympia, WA (but have been in AZ since 1984)
Preferred title: Ms.
Favorite Arizona place: I love the Aravaipa Canyon
Favorite drink: Grapefruit Shandy
Favorite local project: Our new SexFYI.org program promotion effort to provide teens with medically accurate information on birth control. Check it out.
THIS or THAT:
Salty or Sweet?
I can’t possibly choose between the two, the best thing to satisfy this Trader Joe’s Salty, Sweet & Nutty Trek Mix.
What was your first real job?
My first real job was checking petition signatures for the Washington Secretary of State.
How do you describe the work you do?
I am the CEO of the best non-profit in Arizona. (We compete for a federal grant that allows us to provide birth control to low income individuals in Arizona.)
What activity do you consistently make time to do, or at least try to?
Exercise, I started doing triathlons last year and signing up for a race is the best motivator to get out of bed in the morning.
When do you feel most in your element, zone, etc.?
I feel the most in my element when I am hanging with my daughter who is 13 years old. We often times read or binge watch NCIS.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
Take better care of yourself, exercise more and eat clean!
What direction would you like your life to take from here?
I am practicing mindfulness and being present, so for now I am concentrating on the current moment and I know my life will unfold in the way it is meant to unfold.
schmooze 