Many of us are looking forward to bringing back family traditions and spending time with loved ones this holiday season. As we prepare to gather with friends and family, it is important to acknowledge the ongoing pandemic and make the right preparations ahead of celebrations and holiday travel.

Finding the perfect gift for each child on your list is no small feat. To help you make the best choices, we talked to three Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group child and adolescent psychiatrists about thoughtful, clinician-approved gifts for every child on your shopping list.

The holidays are here, and so are tasty treats and holiday staples. Whether it's childhood favorites, or shared family recipes, holiday foods tend to be sweeter and richer than we’re used to. While these foods are traditionally less healthy, they do not have to be off limits. We spoke with Melody Steeples, MPH, RD, a registered dietician with Woodland Clinic, about her recommendations for enjoying this time of year without overindulging.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the CDC estimates that 122 million adults are living with diabetes or prediabetes in the United States. We spoke to Jeffrey Williams, MD, an endocrinologist with Dignity Health Medical Group — Dominican about steps to help manage and prevent diabetes.

Dignity Health Medical Network – Santa Cruz and Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group were two of just a few physician organizations in California to receive the 2021 Excellence in Healthcare Award, California’s top honor for provider organizations, from the Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA) for its top performance in clinical quality, patient experience and cost measures.