Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. Stress levels among Americans are on the rise largely on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent study by the American Psychological Association (APA). April is National Stress Awareness Month and while stress is a natural human emotion that helps us prepare and perform as necessary (think “fight or flight” mode), it can also negatively impact our health.

Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group Behavioral Health and Sacramento County have partnered in creating a new program to support children and families who are at risk of becoming homeless or are currently experiencing homelessness. The Children's Program applies a holistic approach to health. It treats both physical and mental health, while making sure families feel safe and self-sufficient.

Dignity Health Medical Groups rapidly scaled their virtual care capabilities at an unprecedented rate at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many patients have since enjoyed the safety and convenience of virtual visits. Dignity Health Medical Group Behavioral Health patients have especially shown a great interest in video visits, with more than 85% of appointments being conducted virtually since the beginning of the pandemic.

Mercy Medical Group has been awarded Elite Status from America's Physician Groups (APG), the nation's leading professional association for accountable physician groups. Mercy Medical Group is one of just 80 organizations nationally to achieve Elite Status (the highest recognition) in 2020.

Elite Status is earned through participation in APG's Standards of Excellence Survey, which analyzes physician groups' performances in improving patient experience, clinical care and affordability of care.

On March 30th every year, we celebrate National Doctors’ Day to honor the physicians that have dedicated their lives to improving the health of our communities. But this year in particular we want to honor the incredible sacrifices our dedicated doctors have made during the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked two of our doctors to share their stories and experiences in medicine: Tarandeep Kaur, MD, an endocrinologist with Dignity Health Medical Group — Stockton and Swapna Kudtarkar, MD, a pediatrician with Dignity Health Medical Group — Inland Empire.