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The Village Doctor Newsletter – Week of January 20, 2025

Happy New Year, all! As we wrap up a busy 2024, and look forward to 2025, I wanted to share all of our wishes for a happy, healthy, full and fulfilling new year! We are honored by being part of your lives and well being.

This note wouldn’t be complete without a heartfelt acknowledgement of our friends, family, and all Agelinos suffering through the most devastating beginning of the new year and these horrible fires burning through, still even as you read this, Los Angeles. If you have the inclination, please consider donating to one of the many non-profit organizations gearing up to work in Los Angeles: American Red Cross, California Fire Foundation, or World Central Kitchen.

Also important, this is a good reminder about fire (and earthquake) preparedness in NORTHERN California, as in for you and your home. What a perfect time for a New Year’s resolution!

Key Steps for Home Emergency Preparedness in San Mateo County:

  1. Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a family disaster plan that includes communication strategies, meeting points, and evacuation routes. Ensure all family members are familiar with the plan.
    San Mateo County
  2. Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit: Prepare a kit containing essential items to sustain your household for at least 72 hours. Include water, non-perishable food, medications, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and important documents.
    San Mateo County
  3. Stay Informed: Sign up for SMC Alert, San Mateo County’s alert-notification system, to receive urgent or emergency notifications.
    San Mateo County
  4. Secure Your Home: Identify and mitigate potential hazards in your home, such as securing heavy furniture, reinforcing structures against earthquakes, and creating defensible space to protect against wildfires.
    San Mateo County
  5. Educate and Train: Participate in local training programs like Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) to learn skills that can help you respond effectively during emergencies.
    San Mateo County

Yours in health, wellness, and preparedness,

Eric

Eric Weiss, MD, DTM&H, January, 2025

Pediatrics - Newsletter

Talking to Your Children About Wildfires: A Guide for Parents

Many of us have likely been glued to screens as we monitor the wildfires and talk to family and friends who have been directly affected in Los Angeles. As parents, we also face the challenge of addressing our children’s fears and questions about this disaster. While it’s natural to want to shield children from upsetting realities, open and honest communication can empower them and alleviate anxiety, especially young children who might not understand the geography and worry the fires could hurt them. Here are some guidelines for talking to your children about wildfires in a way that is informative, reassuring, and age-appropriate.

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Preschooler Bedtime Battles: 3 Things You Need to Know about 3 to 5 year olds and Bedtime

So many parents struggle through bedtime battles especially starting around age 3.  With a sleep consultant with over 11 years of experience, a REI®️ Theories and Foundations graduate, I want to share with you the 3 reasons why this age group struggles with bedtime battles and give you tips to start tonight to maintain connection, while easing the tuck in process.

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Internal Medicine Banner

Understanding Hormone Replacement Therapy

As a primary care provider (PCP), I am frequently asked about the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy in peri and postmenopausal women. I spent roughly four years after my residency working in women’s health clinics. During that time, this is what I essentially learned about the use of HTR.

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the Village Square

It takes a village”. This of course resonates across The Village Doctor and also applies to our relatively small local communities. To that end, and in the spirit of disaster preparedness (and new year’s resolutions) please take a moment to read the following informative paragraph:

In the event of a disaster like a fire or earthquake, the community of Woodside and San Mateo County can work together by fostering preparedness, sharing resources, and maintaining strong communication. Residents can join or form local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) through San Mateo County CERT to gain essential skills in disaster response. The Town of Woodside offers tailored emergency preparedness resources, including neighborhood evacuation plans and wildfire safety tips, which can be found on the Woodside Emergency Preparedness website. Signing up for SMC Alert, the county’s emergency notification system, ensures timely updates during crises. Additionally, community members can organize neighborhood drills, check on vulnerable neighbors, and pool resources such as water, food, and medical supplies to strengthen resilience and ensure a coordinated response to any disaster.

Lastly, TVD Newsletter is a labor of love. If you enjoy reading this, please share widely! Was this forwarded to you by a friend? Please subscribe here.

*****

Yours, in health,

Eric and the TVD MD team…

The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general informational and education purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider to discuss whether any treatment, medication, or information is appropriate for you, and for guidance on any emerging updates in care. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice based on the information provided here. 

TVD MD Team

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