Women Physicians OB/GYN Blog

In November 2009 a temporary visiting restriction policy was implemented in response to the H1N1 influenza outbreak. Since that time, children under the age of 16 have been restricted from visiting hospitalized patients at El Camino Hospital. Even though this policy was necessary for the protection of vulnerable hospitalized patients, we know it has been very disappointing for our recently delivered moms and their children.

In the past few months the number of H1N1 infections has decreased substantially. According to the CDC the current influenza activity is relatively low throughout the country. Furthermore, most children in our area have been vaccinated for H1N1 influenza. El Camino Hospital has decided to remove the temporary visiting restrictions effective February 26, 2010.

We at WPMG still want to stress the importance of hand-washing precautions, especially around newborns or anyone who may be immune suppressed. We still strongly recommend that any potential hospital visitor, including children of patients, should be in good health and free of cold or flu symptoms (e.g. sore throat, cough, fever, runny nose.) We still encourage H1N1 vaccinations, especially for anyone in high risk groups or in close contact to anyone in a high risk group.

WPMG is once again joining the Fight Against Cancer at Relay For Life of Mountain View from 5/22/2010 at 10 am until 5/23/2010 at 10 am at beautiful Cuesta Park. This unforgettable 24 hour experience celebrates survivors, remembers loved ones, and gives us all a chance to fight back against a horrible disease. WPMG invites all of our friends and patients to join our team. Our team pledges to keep a walker on the track at Cuesta Park at all times for a 24 hour period. After all, cancer never sleeps. Fortunately the 24 hrs is packed with fun, entertainment, games for kids, food, ceremonies, and more.

Dr. Sutherland feels especially passionate about this event as she herself is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed and treated in 1995. Fortunately, the diagnosis was made early and she is happy to count herself among the many survivors, in large part due to our improved methods of detection and treatment. We’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go.

If you have battled a cancer of any kind, we hope you will join Dr. Sutherland in the survivors lap which takes place at Cuesta Park at 10:00 am on May 22, 2010. And join all of us again at dusk for the luminaria ceremony, a moving event with lighted personalized luminaria in memory of or in support of the victims of cancer. And don’t miss the inspiring Fight Back ceremony and pancake breakfast on Sunday morning. But we also hope you will join our team and walk as many laps and donate as much money as you feel able.

To learn more about Relay and all the ways you can participate in the Fight Against Cancer, join us at the Relay Rally on 3/5/2010 at 6:30 pm at the Mountain View Community Center, 201 South Rengstorff Avenue.

You can join our team on-line at www.RelayForLife.org/mountainviewca or contact Randy at 650-988-7557 or e-mail us at info@elcaminoobgyn.com.

You can donate to our team on-line at www.RelayForLife.org/mountainviewca or bring your donation to our office.

You can register for the survivors’ lap on-line at www.RelayForLife.org/mountainviewca and receive a free Relay purple survivor t-shirt. Show your strength and share your feelings with newly diagnosed cancer patients.

You can purchase a luminaria in honor of a cancer victim on-line at www.RelayForLife.org/mountainviewca. If you would like to decorate your own luminaria bag, you can purchase one directly at our office.

To form your own team, contact the 2010 Team Chairperson, Maria Carl at mariac13@gmail.com

To join the Steering Committee, please contact the 2010 Event Chairman, Jess Anders, at jessanders2001@yahoo.com . The Steering Committee meets monthly on the first Tuesday of each month.

Join WPMG as we dance our way to good health at the El Camino Hospital sponsored Day of Dance. On Saturday, February 27, from 1 to 5 pm at the Santa Clara Convention Center, you can enjoy dance and exercise demos and instructions, free health screenings, and informative presentations. Look for Dr. Rita Leard and Dr. Katherine Sutherland at the “Ask A Doc” booth. Meet KGO Radio host Joanie Greggains. Have you ever wanted to try Bollywood, Latin dances, line dancing and more? This event will be fun for the whole community!

Admission is free. You can preregister at 800-216-5556 or www.elcaminohospital.org/dayofdance. With your preregistration you will automatically be entered in a raffle.