IGO Medical Group, AMC

I have never been as proud to be an Iranian as I am today. We are witnessing our 41st day of a woman led revolution, with men, and children standing up in solidarity against a sadistic patriarchal regime. We are no longer going to accept anything but freedom to be whatever we want to be. Iranian women are some of the most educated, intelligent, and brave women in this world. They are no longer going to be oppressed, harassed, jailed, beaten, and murdered. This Revolution will change the course of history for the world. We need to stand in solidarity with these incredible women who are fighting for basic rights. And if we do, we will realize that we can also fight for the freedoms and the opportunities that we don’t have in the rest of the world. This is a historic moment. Please share their voices. Sign petitions to help change our government’s policies and involvement with the Islamic regime. Together we can change the world.

Save the date! November 16!! Join your favorite doctors of IGO at Kettner Exchange for a memorable night (and some cocktails🎉)to raise money for one of our favorite charities, Mary’s House in Vietnam.

In 2012, Dr. Robertson and her wife Jen Flynn started Mary’s House, a foster home for girls in DaNang, Vietnam. Generous donations have helped support over 60 children, and 6 now college grads!

For the first time since 2019, we are back doing a live fundraiser!

All of the money raised goes directly to the kids.  Mary’s House is run through the 501(c)3 non-profit Giving It Back to Kids.  Local staff look after the girls like family and take care of all of their daily needs.  Mary’s House relies completely on the support of our generous donor community to provide food, housing, health care, counseling for life skills, school tutoring, after school activities, and secondary education after the girls finish high school.  

Please join us for an amazing evening November 16th at Kettner Exchange. We would love to see any of you there!!

Tickets, online silent auction, and donations: http://www.maryshousevietnam.com

The San Diego Magazine Top Docs 2022 issue is out!! And once again, IGO has a whole lot of docs on the list! 🎉🎉Congratulations are in order for Dr Buchi, Dr Guru, Dr Greenberg, Dr Gafori, Dr Gunnarson, Dr Bui, Dr Robertson, Dr Wilkinson, and Dr Berg! Thank you and thank you to our peers for voting for us. We are so proud of the care we offer to our family of patients and feel honored to be celebrated for our hard work. And thank you to our patients for entrusting us with your care.

Hi, this is Dr Gafori. As an Iranian woman and a gynecologist it’s hard for me not to say anything about the misogynistic hateful crimes that are occurring in my homeland. Since 1979 women in Iran have been forced by the religious regime to wear hejabs to cover their hair. For years women have been harassed, imprisoned, and tortured if they were thought to be unsuitably dressed or even if a lock of their hair showed from under their hejab. Recently, a young woman named Mahsa Amini who was traveling with her family was detained by Iran’s “morality police” and beaten until she suffered brain damage and a heart attack. After being hospitalized in a coma she died a few days later. Mahsa is not the first Iranian to suffer such a fate but her name and her story have become a cry for change. Women in Tehran have risen in protest, calling out for change, and burning their hejabs as they march through the streets. They ask for, or should I say, demand the freedom to have control over their bodies, to be able to feel the sunlight on their hair, to not be harassed and unjustly imprisoned. Their bravery is astonishing to me because they are risking their lives with every word of protest. Iranians have had access to the cellular services and the internet taken from them so that the world cannot see the heinous crimes against humanity that the government is perpetrating. This is no longer just an Iranian story. This needs to be a global feminist outcry for the right to control over our own bodies and our futures. We must tell their stories and bring awareness to the abuse from this regime. We must help them to have a voice. Thank you for reading. Painting by

Almost 1 in 3 Americans will be diagnosed with a malignancy in their lifetime. That is an incredibly daunting statistic. Last night at the .cancer benefit, we watched a beautiful human become a hero in front of our eyes. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 Brain cancer (Glioblastoma), made a promise. She was going to take everything that she learned during her fight with cancer about seeking the best medical care, wellness, nutrition, and self healing and find a way to get it to cancer patients that might not have the support or access to care that she did. She is a survivor teaching others to survive because everyone deserves this access to knowledge. Please check out her non profit’s website, www.docancer.org to donate, to learn, or to find out how you can support yourself or loved ones with their diagnosis. The Do Cancer Healing Cancer Kit is a great gift for someone going through the frenetic aftermath of a new diagnosis.

Almost 1 in 3 Americans will be diagnosed with a malignancy in their lifetime. That is an incredibly daunting statistic. Last night at the .cancer benefit, we watched a beautiful human become a hero in front of our eyes. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast cancer (Glioblastoma), made a promise. She was going to take everything that she learned during her fight with cancer about seeking the best medical care, wellness, nutrition, and self healing and find a way to get it to cancer patients that might not have the support or access to care that she did. She is a survivor teaching others to survive because everyone deserves this access to knowledge. Please check out her non profit’s website, www.docancer.org to donate, to learn, or to find out how you can support yourself or loved ones with their diagnosis. The Do Cancer Healing Cancer Kit is a great gift for someone going through the frenetic aftermath of a new diagnosis.

Almost 1 in 3 Americans will be diagnosed with a malignancy in their lifetime. That is an incredibly daunting thought. Last night at the .cancer benefit, I was able to watch a beautiful human become a hero in front of my eyes. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 Brain cancer made a promise. She was going to take everything that she learned during her fight with cancer about seeking the best medical care, wellness, nutrition, and self healing and find a way to get it to cancer patients that might not have the support or access to care that she did. She is a survivor teaching others how to survive because everyone deserves this access to knowledge. Please check out her non profit website www.docancer.org to donate, to learn, or to find out how you can support yourself or loved ones with their diagnosis.

Beautiful night for a work dinner with a girlfriend. Many of our IGO patients already know Dr Denise Kalmaz. She’s our go to colonoscopist (Gastroenterologist) at UCSD. Here is why this is important: The guidelines for colonoscopy have changed. Screening starts at 45 for people without an increased risk for colon cancer. Sure, it’s not the easiest or the most glamorous screening test we have (can you say bowel prep?) but it’s a truly preventive procedure. If your doctor finds a polyp, she removes it immediately and sends it for pathological assessment. Polyps can develop into colon cancer, so removing them can save your life. Early detection means higher chances for successful treatment and survival.
and sends it for pathological assessment. Polyps can develop into colon cancer, so removing them can save your life. Early detection means higher chances for successful treatment and survival. Dr Kalmaz has really enjoyed taking care of our IGO patients and is adding extra time to her schedule to fit in our patients for their screening or diagnostic tests.

A woman’s reproductive right is a human right. It is the right and freedom to control our bodies and our destinies. It is the ability to make sound decisions for ourselves and our families. It is a right that should not be tampered with nor taken. The repercussions of overturning Roe vs Wade may not affect you directly but will be damning for many years to come. We will see maternal mortality rates rise, childhood poverty rates rise, and domestic violence rates rise. This decision will compromise training for doctors learning to save lives, while woman who have been assaulted, r***d, and traumatized will lose the right to make decisions for their futures. We cannot and should not stay silent. We must stand against this outrageous threat to our basic human rights.

Happy Mother’s Day! Being a mother encompasses so much more than those words, but it’s a start ❤️. To all of you who survive all of the ups and downs, the good days, and the bad, know that you are appreciated and loved. Have a beautiful day!

Happy Earth Day! 🧐One day late. But shouldn’t every day be earth day? 🌸🌺🌲Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

On International Women’s Day, I can’t help but think how things in our world today might play out if we had more women in political office. Today is a day where we should celebrate our achievements, continue to work to realize our dreams, and to reach out to help our sisters throughout the world. There are atrocities occurring all over our earth. Through technology, social media, and the power of the internet we can actually DO something to help others and make our voices heard. Let’s do it. Love and empathy can trump hate.

Ever wonder what we are doing down there at your annual exam?? 🤷‍♀️
It’s cervical cancer awareness month and thought we could answer some of the questions that may have been racing through your minds. The annual exam has almost become synonymous with the Pap smear. But, we have come a long way over the years. In the past, your gynecologist would take a sample of the cells of your cervix (the lowest part of your uterus that happens to be at the top of the va**na) and send them to a pathologist that would use different stains to better visualize the cells and check for dysplasia (precancerous changes) or cancer cells. Over the years, HPV testing on the pap specimens that we collect have made preventing the progression to cervical cancer much easier. Pap smears combined with HPV testing can be done less often if the cervical cells look normal and the high risk HPV testing is normal. The HPV vaccine was also developed to help prevent infection by some of the higher risk strains and a few of the strains that cause ge***al warts. So, with screening tests and vaccines we can help fight this mostly preventable disease! If you haven’t scheduled your annual exam, call us!

Just a friendly reminder that healthcare workers are overworked and understaffed all across the nation. It is our priority to give all of our patients the best care and to see our patients in a timely manner. But, remember we are human too and appreciate being treated with respect during these trying times. We thank our staff at IGO and at Scripps Memorial Hospital for their professionalism and great work ethic during this pandemic. A simple thank you goes a long way. And, we always appreciate a mask worn correctly and throughout your entire time in our office. We can survive this together with kindness (and vaccines). ❤️

Happy New Year!! What we learned in 2021 is that time still flies when you aren’t having that much fun. 😂 So, cheers to a redo in 2022. We look forward to helping you grow your families, to laughing and sometimes crying with you, and to keeping your minds and bodies happy and healthy!

Last night was magical 🌟. Dr Gafori joined at Coast Pediatrics Del Mar to vaccinate over 240 children aged 5-12 against Covid-19. Kids lined up for the vaccine so that they could spend time with grandparents, travel safely, enjoy school sports, and help our community continue to fight this pandemic. We had some VIP kids show up! Dr Bui and Dr Gafori’s kids and so many of our IGO babies that are now in elementary school!! It was a night to remember!!!! ❤️❤️💉💉

We are so excited to Congratulate SEVEN of our docs for being voted as TOP DOCS by their peers. Our doctors are honored to be recognized by San Diego Magazine for their hard work and dedication. These last 2 years have been hard on the healthcare community and we thank our staff for working so hard to allow us to be able to take the best care of our patients every single day. Congratulations! 🎉 Dr Buchi, Dr Bui, Dr Gafori, Dr Gurushanthaiah, Dr Gunnarson, Dr Robertson, and Dr Wilkinson.

ONE IN EIGHT…
One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (Lung cancer is the first). Breast cancer is the second most common breast cancer in women (Skin cancer is the first). 85 percent of women with breast cancer do not have a family history of breast cancer. Ladies, get your mammograms and see your OBGYN yearly for your breast exam (That’s why we call it an ANNUAL exam😉). IGO has a state of the art 3D mammogram machine and you can book your appointment at the same time as your yearly exam. We are a one stop shop! 🙌

Never Forget. It’s hard to believe that this was 20 years ago, yet most of us still remember exactly where we were standing when we heard the news. Let’s not forget what united us, the pain of the lives that were lost, the first responders that are still sick from the exposure to toxins while saving others lives, and our feelings of fear and vulnerability. Hopeful that we continue to rise up as as a united people now when we need to most.

This goes without saying, the Corona virus vaccine is essential in preventing serious illness and hospitalization rates from skyrocketing. Please get vaccinated. Help yourself, help your family, help your friends, help your workplace, and help your friendly neighborhood healthcare worker. Team IGO is happy to answer any questions you have about the vaccines available, their side effects, and their proven safety.

Let’s go San Diego! We are so close to controlling this pandemic. The more people that get vaccinated the faster we get there.

Let’s show corona virus to the door!!!! Bye!

For more info, visit myturn.ca.gov

This thoughtful gift from a patient made me think about how often people take for granted that pregnancy is “safe”. Often, patients forget that maternal morbidity and mortality are even a factor because their focus is directed to the baby’s safety and health.

In fact, maternal mortality rates are not low in the United States and they rise with age as mother’s over 40 are more than seven times as likely to die compared to their 25 year old counterparts. The maternal death rate for black women is more than double that for white women.

Severe bleeding and hemorrhage, high blood pressure and the spectrum of disease known as preeclampsia, and infection are the leading causes of maternal death.

It is clear that medical care before conception, throughout pregnancy, during childbirth, and in the postpartum period are essential to decreasing morbidity and mortality.

The doctors at IGO are well trained in handling all types of obstetric emergencies, as well as in providing comprehensive healthcare before, during, and after childbirth. We highly recommend preconception counseling visits in which we review your medical history and address any medical issues that could affect your pregnancy.

After all,
Healthy mom + Healthy baby = Happy OBGYN doc. ❤️❤️

Hate crimes against Asian Americans have risen at an alarming rate this year.

Asian women have been targeted most, likely because of cultural stereotypes that constantly objectify them and paint them in a negative light. Statements like “the China virus” and “Kung Flu” used by individuals in our country have done much more harm than we realize and those words have now led to undeserved resentment, resulting in more deliberate and exacting racism.

Our country's strength depends on the diversity and beautiful mix of cultures that coexist and enrich it.

We stand, with disgust, against the crimes and slanderous insults imposed on our Asian friends, family, and neighbors.

If you are struggling to have a baby, you are not alone. 10-15 percent of couples have infertility in the US.

If you have been actively trying to get pregnant for one year without success or you have irregular, absent, or painful periods, have had a history of endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease you may benefit from a consultation with your IGO doctor.

Not every patient needs IVF, sometimes it’s as easy as reviewing timing of ovulation and in*******se, or treating underlying medical problems including anovulation or hormonal problems. And for those of us starting our families after age 35, an earlier consultation may be more helpful.

Remember, IGO has your back!

These words could not ring truer right now. Women are disproportionately affected by the economic and social impact of pandemics. Though we have made so much progress over the last few decades in becoming an equal percentage of the work force, we are now seeing how quickly our strides have been threatened by our increased responsibilities this year. As women typically bear the brunt of most childcare or elder care in our society, we are watching as we lose jobs, lose income, and lose our independence. Our Mental health as well as our physical health is affected by these increasing stressors. Getting our children back into school safely is essential for our society’s existence. Our county needs to work to open our schools quickly, safely, efficiently and NOW.

Hey, ladies!!!!

Even during a pandemic, it is incredibly important for patients to keep up with their preventative care appointments. Yearly annual exams with your gynecologist are important even if you aren’t due for your Pap smear. During these visits, Medical and family history review, as well as breast, and pelvic exams help us rule out any potential problems. We discuss contraception options, talk about mental health issues, and review other recommendations for your care based on your age and your medical history.

Plus, We miss you!!! It’s the perfect excuse to get to see you all and check in with you.

Love, the IGO Docs ❤️

The Dream Team! Dr Gafori joined and Dr. Vi Gigler to give Covid-19 vaccines to some very grateful seniors last night! Thanks and for helping us get patients roomed and registered.

What a rewarding night after a historic day. The excitement was palpable and we are looking forward to helping to continue this vaccination wave. Healthcare workers everywhere are volunteering to help get our high risk vaccinated.
This is how we can finally work towards a return to normal. Wear your masks, wash your hands, get vaccinated, and let’s do this!!!!

Hey everyone, IGO wants to hear from you!

DM us or comment below with any questions you have about women’s health, infertility, or s*x!

We will respond to your top questions anonymously and you will get an answer while helping us educate.

It’s a win win!! 😷🎉

This is an antibody test from a doctor 14 days after he received his Covid-19 vaccine. This test shows that he has antibodies that were formed in response to the vaccine. These antibodies will protect him from getting Covid-19!

How does the Corona virus mRNA vaccine work? This vaccine has similar end results as our natural immunity after an infection, without us actually getting infected. The vaccine instructs cells in our bodies to make spike proteins (these are proteins unique to the Corona virus). Our immune cells then exhibit the protein pieces on their surface. Our bodies then recognize these proteins as intruders and make antibodies to fight the virus. All of this happens, without us having an actual infection from the virus. So, the next time you are exposed to Covid-19, your antibodies recognize it and prevent the virus from entering your cells, replicating, and infecting you!

FACT: mRNA vaccines do not use live virus so you will not get Covid-19 from the virus. You may have some mild injection related symptoms like a sore arm or fatigue.

Why get the vaccine? :
1. The vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in preventing Covid-19 infection.
2. It will help you protect vulnerable people around you.
3. If you are one of the few patients that receives the vaccine and still gets Covid-19, you will likely have a much milder illness.

We still need to wear masks, wash our hands, and refrain from high risk activities because it is going to take some time to reach a point where we will all have a level of immunity.

Thank you for reading!! Feel free to ask any questions either by DM or comment below.

Happy Holidays from IGO!

2020 has been a very difficult and painful year for most of us, but let’s remember some of the great things we’ve learned along the way.

✨ We have each other’s backs.

✨ We really can adapt.

✨ We don’t actually need all the “stuff” that we thought we needed.

✨ We don’t need to have 50 things going on to actually feel accomplished.

✨ Having time alone with our loved ones is priceless.
Science is soooo cool.

✨ We hate homeschooling and teachers are essential.

✨ Lounge wear is da bomb.

✨ San Diego might be the greatest place to quarantine.

✨ Netflix and chill is not a bad way of life.

✨ We will never take our health for granted again. (Until we do).

Cheers to the New Year!!

It’s here!!! The BioNTech/Pfizer CoronaVirus vaccine has arrived in San Diego. Healthcare workers are receiving doses as we speak! We are so thankful to the scientific community for putting every effort into rushing to develop a safe and effective vaccine to help stop this pandemic in its tracks. We have lost 300,000 lives in the United States alone and so many of us know someone who has been affected by this virus.

The IGO doctors will begin getting our vaccines this weekend. We are so hopeful that this Pfizer vaccine and the new Moderna vaccine that was recommended for approval today will lead us to a healthier and safer 2021.

Studies have shown incredibly high efficacy levels with few side effects other than injection site reactions, fatigue, and muscle pain. At this time, the general public will not be receiving doses as high risk personnel and people with medical problems that put them in very high risk categories will receive the first batch of doses. We are excited to see more and more people vaccinated as we enter 2021.

Thank you to all of the hardworking scientists and staff that made this momentous leap possible. And, as we always say, please continue to wear masks, wash hands, and social distance because Vaccines can’t stop the virus on their own!! We need to help.

YAY Science!!!

Yep. We are back to the beginning again, except it’s worse now. Our ICU and hospital beds across the country are filling at an alarming rate. The only way we can get this under some sort of control and buy our healthcare workers, family, and friends some time is by limiting our nonessential exposures. I know we are all fatigued but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, finally. The Corona Virus vaccines are making a healthy future look promising and the FDA is due to issue EUA or emergency use authorization for them this week.

Today the county of San Diego has been asked to comply with stay at home orders for the next 21 days beginning at 1159 pm tonight.

Wear your mask, wash your hands, stay at home except for essential activities, and please don’t think that you are above this. We are all, after all, fighting for the same dream.

Thanks for the stickers!

Just a reminder that we are in the middle of a very large surge in Corona Virus cases in San Diego and across this country. We are so lucky to live in a beautiful city with weather that allows us to spend time outside and still enjoy having safe social contact. But, the holidays are here, and it’s difficult not to miss the feeling of having all of your family and friends around you. Please, remember that what you choose to do may affect more than just your immediate contacts because it sometimes seems that there are a lot fewer than six degrees of separation amongst us.

Eat well, Celebrate outdoors, wear masks, wash your hands, and stay home if you have any cold or viral symptoms. Also, get tested and quarantine if you have been exposed. (Reminder: testing is more accurate 3-5 days after exposure)

It is our duty to protect those more vulnerable than us. So, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being careful this holiday season. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Meanwhile, how gorgeous is this photo at Torrey Pines Golf course ??? 😍

(Photo cred To our beautiful and insanely talented photographer friend Rachel McFarlin Photography)

October's Team Highlight: Dr Buchi!

Did you know that Dr Buchi used to be a competitive ice skater? Or that she is a master cake maker and decorator? Dr Buchi is our CEO, probably our most diplomatic member, and our fearless leader. She hails from Southern California and specializes in comprehensive gynecology and laparoscopic and robotic surgery.

Thanks Dr Buchi for all that you do!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Given that 2020 has already been so complicated and stressful, squeezing in a mammogram before the end of the year might seem like a huge feat. But, we can’t stress enough the importance of continued preventative healthcare even in the middle of a pandemic.

1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. Early detection not only saves lives, it improves quality of life and improves survival.

Women 40 and above should have yearly mammograms. Women with a family history of breast cancer or those who have tested positive for mutations that put them at higher risk for breast cancer may need earlier and more thorough surveillance. If you have questions regarding when or why you need to have a mammogram, please contact your IGO physician for an appointment.

IGO is proud to say that we have a state of the art 3D machine in our office available to all of our mammogram patients. How convenient!

Rip RBG. You ARE a force not a mere mortal. You showed us to fight for what we believe in and for what we are about. You showed this to us as a leader who we were proud to have lead us. You are an icon not only for women but for anyone who fights for justice, kindness, and just plain common sense. Thank you for worrying about us until your last breath. Thank you for leading us to seek truth. Our hearts are heavy with your loss. (photos: / )

We got ours! Now you get yours!! IGO has flu vaccines available to all of our patients. 🙌🙌🙌

This year, more than ever, it is important to get your flu vaccine. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we need to try to prevent respiratory illnesses this Fall and Winter. This will help to keep you out of the hospital and help prevent coinfection with Corona Virus.  The flu vaccine is safe and recommended for pregnant patients.

Help us help you! Get the flu vaccine!!

Thank you to all of the first responders that risked their lives that day and the many difficult days that followed. Our hearts go out to the families of those that lost their lives.  

We will never forget.