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.

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.

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.

“Home for the holidays” may have a different meaning this year. This year has been especially stressful and everyone is looking to reconnect with family and friends this holiday season. However, assessing your loved ones risks, and determining how to celebrate this year can raise questions, bringing it’s own share of anxiety.

Patrick Cudahy, MD, a family medicine physician with Dignity Health Medical Group — Dominican, offers some advice for navigating how to best celebrate the season with others.

Halloween will look a bit different for many families this year as parents and kids navigate how to have a fun, safe Halloween amid the ongoing pandemic. As a pediatrician at Dignity Health Medical Group - Dominican, Komal Afzal, DO, understands there is a healthy balance we must achieve to ensure children’s safety while fostering their continued development.

With Halloween around the corner, she urges parents to continue the conversation around safety and encourages open dialogue about how the holidays will look different while finding ways to still make them special. Usual traditions such as costume parties and door-to-door trick or treating may not be happening, but there are certainly still many ways to celebrate Halloween this year.