Q&A with Dignity Health Medical Group Director of Clinic Operations, Francie Barnett

Q: Dignity Health Medical Group chose Tehachapi for their newest clinic location. What drew you to this community?

A: We are so honored to provide primary care to the Tehachapi community with our new clinic location at 707 West Valley Blvd. We have served Kern County for a long time, and we knew that Tehachapi was a fantastic, engaged community. When Dr. Pesche, who formerly practiced in the space, was looking to retire he approached us and we jumped at the chance to continue his legacy with patient-centered, high-quality care!

Sarah Abraham is a Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner with Dignity Health Medical Group – Ventura Region, and an expert on preventive health care. 

If you've recently been diagnosed as diabetic or pre-diabetic, you may be wondering what sort of diet is best for you. First, it’s important to realize the differences between type 1 and 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas (an organ in the abdomen) stops making insulin. This condition is usually diagnosed in childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes that we see in adults, this is when the body stops responding to normal or even high levels of insulin, and over time, the pancreas does not make enough insulin.

Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain hormones. It’s estimated that nearly 5 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 12 may be living with hypothyroidism. Below, Dr. Harshit Shah, an endocrinologist with Dignity Health Medical Group - Bakersfield, explains how hypothyroidism can impact weight gain. 

Talking about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be as uncomfortable as its symptoms. However, IBS is a relatively common condition affecting about 20 percent of the U.S. population, according to Dr. Kuldip Sandhu, an expert gastroenterologist with Mercy Medical Group. Dr. Sandhu answers important questions about IBS below.

If you have ulcerative colitis (UC), a type of inflammatory bowel disease, you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UC affects as many as 246 of every 100,000 Americans. But what is UC and what can be done about it?