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Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

The State and County have updated and reported their data, so today I will focus on everything Covid.

Needing surgery or a procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic may cause anxiety in some people. As the LVMC Chief of Staff and a surgeon, I want to assure you that the highest measures possible are being taken to ensure your safety -- and ours -- during this pandemic. We know you probably have questions, and it’s important that you have those answered. If you’re uncertain about something, please ask your surgeon or primary care physician.

There are things you can do every day to take control of your health and feel your best. Making healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way in helping you stay productive, keep up with your family, and take care of yourself to ensure you’re feeling good. 

Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

July has come to an end today, baseball has begun (kind of), you probably missed your window to get a haircut, and the Covid-19 (“Covid”) situation continues largely unchanged.

Residents at the Comprehensive Care Center who may not be able to leave their beds because of health issues can now visit an aquarium – at their bedside.

Nearly 1 million people get shingles each year in the United States, and almost 1 out of 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime. You can get it at almost any age, but it is more common in older adults. In most cases, shingles last anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Want to know more about shingles and how you can prevent it?  Read on to learn more about this common health condition and how to protect yourself.  

Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

I will do you all a favor and keep it short today. There is not too much new in the world of Covid this week, but there are a few things of note. As previously mentioned, each week I will provide information on a couple things of interest happening at LVMC (which includes the hospital, CCC, and Lompoc Health clinics.)

Skin malignancies are the most common cancers in the United States. They are responsible for more than half of all new cancer cases. With those kinds of statistics, you may want to know when should a simple mole or brown spot become worrisome? With longer summer days and the lure of gardening or simple walks in the sun, here are some tips to guide you.

Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

Although I always enjoy communicating with all of you, I was not particularly looking forward to writing this week’s letter, because there isn’t much good to report on the COVID-19 (“Covid”) front. I suppose “the good news is that the bad news isn’t that bad” (that sounds like Yogi Berra!).

Just a few months ago, the Centers for Disease Control reported that the number of routine childhood vaccinations was dropping because parents were not returning to their doctors for well-child visits due to fears of contracting COVID-19.

Congratulations to Dr. Anne Rodriguez on being honored as a Congressional Woman of the Year.

Dr. Rodriguez, who sees patients at Lompoc Health – North Third Street – was chosen by Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, as one of six winners. Other honorees were Kathleen Baushke from Santa Barbara, Tracy Beard from Solvang, Noha Kolkailah from Arroyo Grande, Pandora Nash-Karner from Los Osos and Biz Steinberg from San Luis Obispo.

Effective July 13, 2020,

Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Santa Barbara County, the California Department of Public Health and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department have implemented new hospital restrictions regarding visitors at all area hospitals.

The arrival of the novel coronavirus has introduced a cascade of concerns into modern-day society. At the forefront of these concerns is how to keep yourself safe while trying to navigate the new landscape of the world.

If you are an employer with a COVID-positive or suspected positive employee, there are actions you can take to limit the spread of the virus.

Employers can prepare and respond to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 by taking the following actions:

When Darth Vadar walked through the doors at Lompoc Health - Hematology-Oncology, the staff knew it wasn’t going to be a typical appointment for the man behind the mask.