Photo by Johnathon Kelso

ATLANTA—Pregnancy Aid Clinic (PAC) and the Archdiocese of Atlanta have partnered to help expand services for women and families facing unexpected pregnancies.

With a third clinic opening in the greater Atlanta area, the archdiocese provided a three-year grant to PAC to fund a director of medical services. The grant will pay for half of the position’s salary, giving PAC time to fully fund the position in the future.

“We are deeply grateful for the collaboration with the archdiocese on this important project to fund 50% of our lead medical position,” said Deacon Gary Schantz, PAC’s chairman of the board. “We hope this partnership sends a message of trust to our pro-life community throughout the archdiocese. This ministry really belongs to all of us. We encourage everyone to engage and support the lifesaving works of PAC.”

PAC is a nonprofit center that provides medical services, client advocacy, partnering education and post abortion healing to women, men and families. The three PAC locations are in Forest Park, Roswell and in Old Fourth Ward.

Elena Huston

“Pregnancy Aid Clinic perfectly embodies the Catholic belief in the sanctity of all life,” said Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. “Their work not only saves babies, but it helps their mothers and fathers recognize their own dignity and worth. It strengthens relationships and communities. It affirms the dignity of every human being. I am thrilled that the Archdiocese of Atlanta is able to partner with them in this important work.”

Elena Huston was hired as the director of medical services in early March. She has a master’s degree in nursing and hospital administration and a master’s in business administration in organizational leadership and project management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Huston was program manager for the Nurse-Family Partnership program in Greenville, South Carolina, an evidence-based home visiting program for first time moms in at-risk populations. She has more than 20 years of experience in public health, maternal child health, nurse-family partnership program development and in labor and delivery.

Her duties as PAC’s director of medical services include helping to grow the program, recruit and train staff, optimize client appointment and work flow, strengthen medical education within appointments, develop and adhere to medical policies and procedures and ensure medical compliance with a mission-centered focus.

“I am overjoyed with the opportunity to work in a faith-based organization that allows me to exercise my gifts in community outreach and education,” said Huston about her new role. “I am now working my passion.”

“With our third clinic opening in downtown Atlanta this year, we are in need of more medical, administrative and program leadership than ever before,” said Lisa Regan, executive director of PAC. “With Elena’s extensive background serving pregnant women and families in underserved communities, we hope to authentically deliver medical and advocacy services that make a real difference in people’s lives and allows them to see their inherent, God-given dignity and their ability to support life.”