Clinic Ceremoniously Opens Franklin Village Location

Dr. Michele Oleksak and Dr. Mary Anne Galonski cut the ribbon before a location-opening event Monday evening for MyChoice Medical Clinic in Franklin Village Mall.

by Jonathan Weaver

Though locals might know it has been open the past few months, a Kittanning medical clinic cut the ceremonial opening ribbon Monday evening for its Franklin Village Mall location.

My Choice Medical Clinic – in the middle of Sears and Sirena Pizza – moved from above Plaza Electric in Manor Township to the East Franklin location and opened in July, but a ribbon cutting event was postponed to allow for renovations and its Executive Director Chelsea Frantz to return from the birth of her-now three-and-a-half-month-old son, Judah.

Nurse Manager Katie Stolitza of Worthington, began as a staff nurse in January 2012. She said the new location is busy, especially with the clinic’s new sexually-transmitted disease (STD) testing.

“It’s a great location, its storefront, people walk past it all the time – it’s been great to be an easy place for the community to see us and to find as well,” Stolitza said. “We have lots of girls who come from all over the place – Pittsburgh, Indiana (Pa.), even from (Punxsutawney) – and they sometimes had a difficult time finding us at our previous location, so we decided we wanted to add STD testing and we were growing out of (the previous location) and (the current location opened) up and we decided it would be a perfect place to start our new chapter.”

Between the Kittanning, Indiana (near Indiana University of Pennsylvania) and Butler clinics, five nurses are able to assist clients free and confidentially. The Kittanning location is open Mondays from 2-8PM and Thursdays from 11AM-5PM for appointments or walk-ins.

A $6,000 grant through the ACMH Foundation helped the non-profit purchase laboratory equipment, furniture

Medical Director Dr. Michele Oleksak (who’s also part of the ACMH Foundation) said the grant was extended this year and that the board of physicians will be considering applications again soon.

“Last year, when we saw this program, it fit everything: it was sustainable – Life Choices has been here over 30 years – and we’re providing a resource which unfortunately is very, very needed in this area,” Dr. Oleksak said. “Testing for sexually-transmitted infections is just lacking in the area.”

After a welcome and thank-you remarks by Frantz, directors, executive staff and guests were treated to tours of the new facility and refreshments.

categories Local News | September 16, 2015

  • By north end guy, September 16, 2015 @ 8:33 AM

    I wonder by its name ‘MyChoice Medical Clinic” will preform abortions there? I am pro life therefore I hope the place folds. I could b wrong. I hope I am.

  • By steve, September 16, 2015 @ 10:19 AM

    I’m sure your life will remain unchanged whether they provide abortion services or not…

  • By cementmixer, September 16, 2015 @ 11:29 AM

    Northend end guy: With comments like you made it’s a given you think with the southend. This group is a real plus for the area and not filled with high profile specialists who don’t either have or take time to see patients with issues they otherwise wouldn’t have reviewed or diagnosed. So get your head out of the southend and congratulate this group for its innovative thinking. With people like you it’s no wonder so many good possibilities pass this area by. And no I have absolutely no association with the group whatsoever!

  • By jorn jensen, September 16, 2015 @ 11:30 AM

    Agree north end guy, odd name for a clinic.

  • By Joseph73, September 17, 2015 @ 2:57 AM

    Guys, this clinic has been in the area for 30 years. They just moved and added STD testing. I’m thinking this is a traveling group of Nurse Practicioners taking care of things women receiving State medical assistance (Access) don’t need a full MD for, like yeast infections.
    Dr Oleksak works out of the ACMH primary care unit out in Elderton along with Dr Cipple. There is also a pediatric unit in there. The kids got their own lil table and chairs right in the middle of the waiting room. ACMH also has a Primary care unit in Cowansville. (Dr Logan, Dr Knepsheild ?).

  • By mad-2010, September 17, 2015 @ 8:35 AM

    This is a Great group of Doctors doing good things for this County! All the Best with the Clinic. And Thank You..

  • By north end guy, September 17, 2015 @ 9:15 AM

    I said I hope I was wrong cementmixer And Joe.I was wrong. But with their name it to me sounded like Pro Choise.But I will say I hate Planned Perenthood.I think they are a bunch of murders.

  • By blutoblutarsky, September 17, 2015 @ 12:34 PM

    Good call Joseph73. Some people are on a constant search for something to complain about.

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