Washington Township Medical Foundation

As you may have heard, the Centers for Disease Control recently updated its COVID-19 booster guidelines. Now, certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago are eligible for another booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. This info and all of the CDC’s updated COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations are explained at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html. Our Washington Hospital and Washington Township Medical Foundation vaccine clinic is available to schedule your vaccine or booster. Call us at 510.248.8200 for an appointment, or to find out if you qualify for another booster.

Did you know that our Russell Nord, MD, was host physician for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds of March Madness in San Francisco last month? It was particularly exciting considering he was right there on the sidelines when his undergrad alma mater, Duke University, took the floor. This prestigious role in the Sweet 16 grew out of his longtime status as tournament physician for the annual West Coast Conference Men’s and Women’s NCAA Basketball Championships. To find out more about Dr. Nord, medical director at Washington Sports Medicine and an orthopedic surgeon with Washington Township Medical Foundation, visit www.whhs.com/Sports.

Next week, on March 30, it’s National Doctors’ Day! We’re grateful for all the Washington Hospital doctors and staff who are there for us for life’s most important, and challenging times. Take a moment today to honor a Washington Hospital Doctor by making a gift in their honor at www.whhs.com/donate. Read more below from John Combs, a Washington Hospital patient, on why he loves his team at the UCSF-Washington Cancer Center.

* “I’m very pleased with the level of care I’ve received at Washington Hospital. Dr. Eftimie is a fantastic and caring doctor, and we’ve developed a good friendship. Dr. E and the staff take such good care of me and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.” – John Combs

UCSF Health

Brain Injury Awareness Month is recognized each March in the U.S. It’s an opportunity to bring attention to the prevention and care for those suffering damage to the brain or an impact to the head. Our Steven Zonner, DO, a Family and Sports Medicine physician with Washington Township Medical Foundation, has more than 30 years of experience. He is a leading expert in the field, especially on concussions. Dr. Zonner not only works with area schools and athletes on concussion prevention and care, he’s also a researcher who’s studying the effects of repeated subconcussive hits among high school football players. Find out more about Dr. Zonner and his clinic at www.mywtmf.com. Pictured are team members, from left: Merzedes Rivera; Cheryl Marcajida, CMA; Osay Wardak; Dr. Zonner; and Gustavo Silva.

Pictured here are first-time mom Sara Malhotra and her healthy, active son Riaan. Born in August 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, the Fremont parents take Riaan to Bhaskari Peela, MD, for well-baby checkups. The Washington Township Medical Foundation pediatrician is dedicated to guiding parents and families through a child’s preventive care and development. “Dr. Peela has been wonderful at helping us navigate parenthood,” said Sara, “especially through the challenges of a pandemic. She’s very caring, answers all our questions, and is totally committed to Riaan‘s health.” Meanwhile, mom said Riaan is entertained by animals and books. Find out more about Dr. Peela and make an appointment at https://www.mywtmf.com.

This is an important update about our COVID-19 testing. Our drive-thru testing tent is now offering COVID-19 tests to any community member that is symptomatic, or has a confirmed exposure. A physician’s order is no longer necessary. As a reminder, testing at this location is not for travel or sporting events. The tent is located in the parking lot of Washington West at 2500 Mowry Ave., facing Civic Center Drive. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 510.248.8200. Locate other community testing sites in Alameda County at https://www.fremont.gov or at https://covid-19.acgov.org/testing.

It's American Heart Month and today, February 4, is National Wear Red Day –– a day to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke as the #1 killer of women. Pictured are members of our Cardiology team at Washington Township Medical Foundation, who provide local access to the highest level of heart care available. They’re wearing red, the color of our hearts, to highlight the dangers of cardiovascular disease and to help save lives. At https://www.heart.org, you can learn more about your risks. Reach our team at mywtmf.com/cardiology or call 510.248.1670.

Washington Hospital collaborates with UCSF Health to provide oncology patients with the most up-to-date research, technology and treatments. Today, February 4, on International World Cancer Day, we celebrate the many ways we improve the lives of the patients we serve. Fremont’s Bobbe Newray, 85, is proof. She’s pictured, center, with members of the UCSF – Washington Cancer Center and Sandy Amos RN Infusion Center. Bobbe’s breast cancer was detected through a mammogram last summer at the Washington Women’s Center, and she praises every bit of the treatment she’s received. “The oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, nurses, technicians and more have all been marvelous,” said Bobbe, a very active woman who stays busy with yardwork, puzzles and family. “I am super thankful to have local access to such wonderful and highly coordinated care.” Find out more at https://www.whhs.com/services/cancer-programs.

If you have a physician order for a COVID-19 test, Washington Township Medical Foundation offers a testing tent in the parking lot of Washington West at 2500 Mowry Ave., facing Civic Center Drive. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 510.248.8200. You can find other community testing sites in Alameda County at https://www.fremont.gov or https://covid-19.acgov.org/testing. City of Fremont, CA Government

It was one year ago today, on Feb. 1, 2021, when Washington Hospital and Washington Township Medical Foundation opened a COVID-19 community vaccination clinic. “As of today, our vaccination clinic has administered more than 85,000 vaccine doses to community members,” said Kimberly Hartz, CEO, pictured center with members of the vaccination team. “We are very proud and grateful to the community, and Alameda County, for being in the top 10 counties in the state for the highest vaccination rate.” Nice work. Schedule your vaccine or booster at our vaccine clinic by calling 510.248.8200.

If you experience pain or swelling in your legs while walking or exercising –– or if your legs feel tired and heavy at the end of the day –– it might be more than just muscle strain. It could be a serious condition known as chronic venous disease (CVD), which includes a number of complications that primarily affect the veins in your legs. The Washington Vein Rejuvenation Center offers comprehensive care for people with varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis and other vascular conditions. More info at http://www.mywtmf.com/veinrejuvenation.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could just send your health care provider an email whenever it’s convenient for you? You can with MyChart, a free, confidential and secure online service offered by Washington Hospital Healthcare System. It lets you message your provider, access your medical records, make appointments and so much more. It’s a very easy and efficient way for patients to receive more personalized, accurate, and timely care. The free service is available to patients in the Washington Hospital Healthcare System, Washington Hospital inpatient and outpatient clinics, Washington Township Medical Foundation clinics, Washington Radiation Oncology, and Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. If you haven’t already, create your password-protected, encrypted account at https://mychart.whhs.com. Questions can be emailed to [email protected].

Washington Hospital’s 2022 Health & Wellness Catalog for January through June is available for viewing or download at whhs.com/catalog. In the catalog, you’ll find our many upcoming Community Health Seminars & Events. Each is free and being conducted virtually through Facebook and YouTube. In addition, the catalog provides a two-page, easy-to-hang calendar that allows the schedule to easily be viewed. There’s also an area for notes and reminders. Printed versions, using recycled paper, have been mailed to the community.

OK, so you can't make it to the COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Washington Hospital and Washington Township Medical Foundation? No problem. The State of California offers https://myturn.ca.gov. That’s where you can easily find a walk-in clinic or make an appointment at a clinic that is near you –– free, and regardless of immigration or insurance status. Stay healthy, protect others and help us end the pandemic.

My Turn - California COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling & Notifications Safe, free, effective COVID-19 vaccines are available to you regardless of immigration or insurance status. Stay healthy, protect others and help us end the pandemic. Find a walk-in clinic or make an appointment today.

COVIDtests.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.

January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month, and Washington Hospital urges women to get a checkup by scheduling a well-woman visit. That’s because more than 14,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable through vaccinations, Pap tests, HPV tests and proper screening. Pictured are a few of the team from our Washington Women’s Health Specialists, where patients receive discreet medical advice and a variety of treatments, including birth control, endometrial ablation, stress urinary incontinence, and more. Additionally, Washington Women’s Health offers extensive pregnancy care, aiding women from the time of conception to the date of delivery. Find out more at mywtmf.com/obgyn or call 510.248.1470.

Fremont resident Alex Reyes recently stopped by our vaccine clinic for a booster shot. “It was very important for me to take care of this,” said Alex, who was also born at Washington Hospital. The Fremont Unified School District staffer and well-known local DJ is happy to spread the word. “I want to do everything possible to protect myself from COVID-19,” he told us, “and to do my part in helping end the pandemic.” Thank you, Alex. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine or booster appointment, please call our scheduling center at 510.248.8200.

Wajeeha Khan, MS, recently joined the Washington Township Medical Foundation behavioral health team as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. “I’m thrilled to be working with an organization that sees the value of community mental health,” Kahn said. She works in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, psychiatrists and other providers. “The same concepts apply whether working with individuals or with couples, who may feel the other person doesn’t understand what they’re going through,” Kahn explained. “I facilitate conversations in couples’ therapy by reflecting what each person says, or what they are trying to convey. This is often hard for couples to do on their own because each person may find it difficult to regulate their emotions at that very moment.” For more information, visit the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences page at www.mywtmf.com, or call 510.248.1820.

It’s not too late to get a flu shot this season. Colder weather means more people will spend time indoors in close proximity, raising their likelihood of spreading the flu. For most people, the flu vaccine is a safe way to reduce the chance of getting the flu or infecting others with it. Washington Township Medical Foundation’s board-certified internal medicine specialist Rajvir Shahi, MD, advises that anyone 6 months or older receive a flu vaccine. “Simply put, the flu vaccine saves lives,” Shahi said. “A lot of people don’t think the flu is a big deal, but that just isn’t true. Every year, millions of people contract the flu, and thousands are hospitalized or die from it.” Washington Township Medical Foundation offers flu shots at multiple walk-in locations for patients throughout the Tri-City Area. To find out more, visit mywtmf.com/flushot. (And don’t forget your COVID-19 vaccine or booster –– call to schedule at 510.248.8200. You can even get a flu shot at the same time as your COVID-19 shot.)

WTMF presents "Sleep Apnea Can Be a Killer" Dr. Jason Van Tassel discusses sleep apnea causes and treatments.

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard setting, which promotes cancer prevention, research, education, and monitoring of comprehensive quality care. In 2022, we will celebrate the CoC’s 100th anniversary. Our cancer programs at Washington Hospital are proud to receive CoC accreditation as programs that have “demonstrated an uncompromising commitment to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients by providing the highest-quality, patient-centered cancer care.” Find out more at www.whhs.com. American College of Surgeons

Surbhi Pir is on the other side of her breast cancer journey. She finished treatment at the UCSF - Washington Cancer Center in July, and after a clean MRI was declared cancer-free. Her journey started with finding a lump in her breast during a self-exam, followed by a diagnostic mammogram that confirmed it was cancer. She went to see Dr. William E. Dugoni Jr., a surgeon with Washington Township Medical Foundation and medical director of the Washington Women’s Center. “I knew as soon as I met him that I was in the right place,” Pir said. “This guy just instilled confidence in me. Everyone at Washington Hospital was amazing. There’s something special about the people who work there.” For more information about cancer programs at Washington Hospital, visit www.whhs.com/services/cancer-programs. To learn more about the Washington Women’s Center and the advanced technology of 3D mammograms, visit www.whhs.com/WomensCenter. UCSF Health

WTMF presents "3 Reasons You Must Have A Primary Care Doctor (at any age)" Dr. Harpreet Singh on health, care continuity and physician access.

Did you know that more than 1,500 babies are born at Washington Hospital every year? While many of these families have the resources and support to ensure a healthy childbirth experience, others are not as fortunate. The Maternal & Child Health Fund at Washington Hospital was created to ensure that all families, regardless of their income, can access the resources they need to ensure positive pregnancy outcomes and support healthier babies. Every dollar you give this Giving Tuesday will provide free and low-cost childbirth education programming and infant care supplies for new families in need, help provide support and bring awareness to new mothers and fathers experiencing perinatal mental health disorders, and assist families in grief who’ve experienced fetal loss. Your dollar will go further this Giving Tuesday thanks to a generous matching gift from Dr. Gene and Barbara Barrie, so visit whhs.com/givingtuesday or click on Facebook’s DONATE button above to show your support!

Soraya, age 11, recently got her COVID-19 vaccine. To celebrate, this avid gymnast showed us a favorite move. Thank you, Soraya. We wish we could do that. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for your child, or for any person who qualifies for the vaccine or booster, please call our scheduling center at 510.248.8200. The clinic is located on the first floor of Washington West, 2500 Mowry Ave. in Fremont.

WTMF presents “What All Women Should Know About Mammograms" Dr. Hanh (Jenny) Tran, Ob/Gyn speaks about breast health and screenings.

WTMF Spine Your Back Pain: Is Surgery Necessary? Dr. Saigal explains when surgery is needed and when it isn’t.

Great news!

Washington Hospital is pleased to share an important and happy milestone. For the first time since admitting our first COVID-19 patient in the spring of 2020, there are zero COVID patients admitted to the Hospital. “This moment shows we’re making significant headway in beating the pandemic,” said Kimberly Hartz, CEO. “A big, big part of this is the community’s commitment to vaccination and COVID prevention best practices. Getting to zero is also the result of an unbelievable, 24/7 commitment by our physicians, nurses and staff. They’ve battled the virus with talent, strength, and determination, and this milestone is proof.” Washington Hospital and Washington Township Medical Foundation continue to offer the vaccine to individuals 5 and older who are patients of the Healthcare System, or live or work in the Washington Township Health Care District (Fremont, Newark, Union City, Sunol and S. Hayward). Booster shots for eligible people are also available. Vaccination appointments can be scheduled by calling 510.248.8200. And while we currently have zero COVID patients hospitalized, the pandemic is not over. Please continue to take precautions to help avoid another surge in cases and hospitalizations.

This Saturday, Nov. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Washington Hospital Healthcare System and Washington Township Medical Foundation are offering a final flu vaccination event for 2021. Flu vaccines will be provided to patients of all ages, including pediatrics. However, we will not be offering high-dose flu vaccines. Please note this is not a drive-thru event and vaccinations will take place inside the Washington West building at 2500 Mowry Ave. in Fremont. To schedule your appointment for Saturday, call 510.248.8200.

The CDC’s Data Tracker says that 194 million people in the U.S. are fully vaccinated so far, and the numbers are rising. Our communities are doing their part, even the kids. As you know, the FDA and CDC have approved COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 through 11 –– and that means our vaccine clinic has been very busy. The kids pictured and their families are thrilled to be doing their part to help end the pandemic. To schedule an appointment for your child, or for any person who qualifies for the vaccine or booster, please call our scheduling center at 510.248.8200. The clinic is located on the first floor of Washington West, 2500 Mowry Ave. in Fremont.

As you may have heard, the FDA and CDC have both provided authorization for use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for the prevention of the disease in children 5 through 11 years of age. It’s administered as a two-dose primary series, 3 weeks apart, and in a lower dose (10 micrograms) than for individuals 12 and older (30 micrograms). How effective is it? Research states that the immune responses of children 5-11 were comparable to those of individuals 16-25 years of age. In addition, the vaccine was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children 5-11. To schedule an appointment for your child, or for any person who qualifies for the vaccine or booster, please call our scheduling center at 510.248.8200. The clinic is located on the first floor of Washington West, 2500 Mowry Ave. in Fremont. (Pictured is Johnny Lee, age 10, along with Arlene Hernandez of our vaccine clinic.)