Janet earned a Bachelors Degree in Nursing at the University of Minnesota, a Masters Degree in Community Health Education at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, and a second Masters Degree in Community Counseling at Winona State University. She was named Executive Director at Options in Reproductive Care, Inc. by the board of Directors in 1996. Prior to her work at Options Clinic, Janet was employed by Gundersen Lutheran Hospital as a nurse educator in Teen Health Services.

Options Clinic is a non-profit agency that provides family planning and reproductive health care services to a five county area including La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, Crawford, and Richland counties. As executive director, Janet has the opportunity to insure that children and parents receive the health care services they deserve and to help parents become the sex educator for their own children. Janet shares her special skills with our community through her concern for children’s well-being, young adults’ proper reproductive care, and affordable health services for all people. She strongly believes that all children deserve to be well cared for and made a priority in their parents’ lives. Janet is passionate about educating young people about sexuality and reproductive care, so that they can make the decision to  “have children when they are ready to make them a priority

Another role Janet has at Options Clinic is finding the money needed to maintain quality health services to all families. Approximately 63% of the patients at Options are at or below the poverty level and do not pay for their health care, so Janet must find a way to cover those costs. Her dream is “anyone who wants access to reproductive health care services will have that access.” She believes that our community must have resources available to anyone who would want them and that a basic level of health care be available to build a healthier future for our children.

In addition to health care, Janet is active in many other community organizations including La Crosse Rotary, Wisconsin Public Health Association, Wisconsin Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, the National Family Planning Reproductive Health Association, Sierra Club,Girl Scouts of America, and The Nature Conservatory. She has served on numerous local and state boards and trained and spoken to audiences on a local, national, and international level. She even ran the Portland Marathon and participated in The March for Women’s Lives.

Over the years, Janet has been recognized for her devotion to children and health care services in the La Crosse community and has made major accomplishments. Janet received the Champion of Children award from the La Crosse Children’s Museum, the Jacqueline Lawrence Outstanding Advocate award, and served as Board President of Planned Parent Advocacy of Wisconsin.

Her message for future generations is to set goals no matter how small and achieve them. Then set more goals and see those through to the end. These accomplishments will build confidence.  Janet believes that everyone should dare to take calculated risks and take time to volunteer, to help those less fortunate than yourself, and her message to parents is love your children and make them a priority in your life.