Summer is here and so are our favorite outdoor activities. When spending time in the great outdoors, it’s important to take all the necessary precautions, including protecting oneself from harmful plants and insects. Below, Nikki Pham, MD, a Family Medicine physician with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group, shares tips on how to safely enjoy the outdoors this summer.

This June, we’re sharing insights from clinicians across our Dignity Health Medical Groups on topics that are crucial to men’s health. Earlier this month we heard from clinicians specializing in cardiology, behavioral health and urology about important reminders for men in each of their respective areas.

Studies show that men tend to visit doctors less than women. Routine checkups are key to finding problems before they turn into major health issues. We caught up with Joshua Ostrue, DO, a Family Medicine physician with Dignity Health Woodland Clinic about other important health considerations and screenings men should be aware of.

Whether you have an official break from school or simply want to take advantage of warm weather, spring travel is top-of-mind for many of us. Whatever your plans, keep in mind that COVID-19 is still poses a health concern and the virus can spread easily among groups of people during travel and in places like museums, sports venues or amusement parks.

We caught up with Kelley Brinsky, DO, a family medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine physician with Dignity Health Medical Group — Sequoia, to discuss tips for safe and healthy travel this spring.

Many people mark the first day of January as a new beginning and a chance to reset bad habits. After a busy holiday season, Christopher Swales, MD, a family medicine physician with Dignity Health Woodland Clinic, shares how to jumpstart your health and wellness, and build better self-care habits in the new year.

Halloween is just around the corner, marking the beginning of the holiday season. With pandemic guidelines having loosened in many parts of the state, people are excited for an end-of-year holiday season that’s reminiscent of pre-pandemic celebrations from years past. Even with vaccination numbers on the rise, we should continue to recognize that we are still in the midst of a pandemic. This Halloween, it is important to continue taking precautions against spreading the COVID-19 virus whenever possible.