It may surprise you to know that there is a system in your body so complex that it contains almost 500 million neurons, linked to your brain. Would you ever guess that it is your gastrointestinal (GI) system, otherwise known as your gut? To help shed some light on the importance of gut health for the whole body, we talked to Jagrati Mathur, MD, a gastroenterologist with Dignity Health Medical Group — Saint Francis/St. Mary’s.

Mercy Medical Group, a service of Dignity Health Medical Foundation, announces that Folsom OB/GYN is joining their group. The office will remain at the same location at 1735 Creekside Dr., Folsom and specializes in prenatal care, offering a full range of obstetrical and gynecological services on September 2, 2021.

August 1 is World Lung Cancer Day, a day aimed at raising awareness about the causes and treatment of lung cancer and the importance of early detection through lung cancer screening. It is especially important to encourage education around the prevention and treatment of lung cancer, as it is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the U.S. To share more insight on this disease, Cindy Vu, NP, with Dignity Health Medical Group — Dominican has provided important information on lung cancer symptoms, screening and treatment.

This next school year will be different for students and parents alike. While school systems are finalizing details for the 2021-2022 school year, you and your family should also prepare a plan-of-action to stay healthy in and out of class. Mercy Medical Group pediatrician Kimberly Hart, DO has some advice that can ease any concerns you may have about sending your kids back to school in this phase of the pandemic.

Summer for most kids means no school, road trips, and days well-spent in the sun. With that, your child’s body needs to be well-fed and hydrated in order to power through summer activities. For some kids three square meals will do the trick, but for others, snacking can keep them going between meals. Melody Steeples, MPH, RD, with Woodland Clinic, shares some insight on why snacking can be helpful for your child, as well as some advice on how to snack healthily this summer and beyond. Read to the end for a special summer recipe from Melody Steeples!