We recently celebrated the 18th anniversary of The Haskins Practice with an afternoon of cake decorating at Sarvi's house. It was the perfect way to mark the occasion—festive, creative, and filled with laughter alongside the very best team anyone could ask for.


Our practice logo even got a beautiful Mexican heritage-inspired makeover.


One of my favorite memories is that my very first patient through the door in 2008 was Kara Lee. Later that year, I had the privilege of delivering her daughter, Kate, on 8-8-08. Moments and relationships like these are what have made the past 18 years so incredibly special.


To every patient who has trusted us to be part of your journey, and to every member of our amazing team—thank you. Here's to the next chapter!


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

​Today in the World Cup football (soccer) arena, the USA plays Belgium for progress into the quarterfinals. The United States has been one of the standout stories of this World Cup. This team has played with quality, courage, and has earned its following and respected reputation on the pitch. That is why what has happened off the pitch matters so much.

Folarin Balogun, arguably the teams best player, received a red card at the last match which resulted in immediate suspension and his mandated missing of the next game. That suspension has now been removed following a White House confirmed call from Donald Trump directly to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Those are the facts of the sequence. The debate of whether the red card itself was merited is irrelevant to what has occurred, as the referees decision on the field is final.

The President of the hosting nation, calling the head of the world football’s governing body, regarding his nation’s team progress, was followed by an immediate reversal of that disciplinary outcome. This is enough on its own to create a serious problem of perception.

Because in international sport, perception is legitimacy.

You do not need to prove improper intent for damage to be done. The moment political authority and sporting discipline occupy the same chain of events, the independence of the system is questioned. And once that question is asked, it does not go away.

This is not only about football.

The United States has always relied on the idea that its systems operate independently of personal or political pressure — courts, regulators, public health institutions, law enforcement, and international engagement. The moment those systems are seen, fairly or unfairly, as responsive to proximity to power, trust erodes.

And that perception does not stop at home.

Among allies, there is already an ongoing sentiment of how undue American political influence is exercised globally. When a superpower appears close to decisions in major international institutions — whether in diplomacy, trade, or even sport — it reinforces an uncomfortable conclusion: that access matters more than process, and that outcomes can be shaped at the highest level.

That is corrosive to trust. It is corrosive to sport. And it is corrosive to the credibility of the United States itself.

Back to football, none of this takes away from what the players have achieved. They have done their job with professionalism and pride, and they should be judged only on their performance.

But the noise around the tournament has ensured that their football is no longer the only story, and the world is now viewing us as cheats, having gained an unfair advantage. Support internationally has now shifted away from the US team. And that is the real loss, and is indicative of how we are perceived in a broader global sense.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

#anticorruption #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

​July has a way of reminding us to pause.


The excitement of summer is in full swing. Family vacations, neighborhood barbecues, time at the lake or pool, evenings spent outdoors, and celebrations with friends all become part of the rhythm of the month. It's a wonderful time to reconnect with the people and activities that bring us joy.


It's also an ideal opportunity to reconnect with ourselves.


Good health is rarely built through dramatic changes. More often, it comes from the small decisions we make every day—staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, wearing sunscreen, moving our bodies, eating well, and making time for preventive care before small concerns become bigger ones.


July is also recognized as UV Safety Awareness Month, a timely reminder that protecting your skin isn't just about avoiding sunburn. Consistent sun protection helps reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature aging, and it's a healthy habit worth practicing at every age.


For many women, summer can become another season of putting everyone else's needs first. Between children home from school, family gatherings, and busy schedules, it's easy to postpone your own appointments. But your health deserves a place on the calendar too.


Whether you're due for your annual well-woman exam, have questions about menopause, contraception, pregnancy planning, or simply haven't checked in for a while, we're here to provide compassionate, personalized care that supports you through every stage of life.


As we celebrate the heart of summer and our nation's Independence Day, may this month bring you good health, meaningful moments with those you love, and a little time to care for yourself along the way.


Happy July from all of us at the practice.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#JulyHealth #WomensHealth #ladydocfolsom #OBGYN #ruthhaskinsmd

As physicians, we're trained to follow evidence, not fear.


There has never been credible evidence of widespread voting by non-citizens in federal elections. Election officials from both parties have repeatedly found that such cases are exceptionally rare, and voting as a non-citizen is already a serious federal crime. 


Yet proposals requiring additional proof of citizenship to register to vote risk creating new barriers for millions of eligible Americans, especially women.


Why women?


Because millions of women changed their last name when they married. Their birth certificate often no longer matches their legal name. Under proposals like the SAVE Act, many would have to produce additional documentation to register or update their registration, creating hurdles that disproportionately affect women, even though the legislation includes a process for states to address name discrepancies. 


As an OB-GYN, I have spent my career advocating for women's health, women's autonomy, and women's voices. I know firsthand that women already navigate enough unnecessary barriers.


Our democracy is strongest when every eligible citizen can participate without unnecessary obstacles. Protecting election integrity and protecting voting access are not competing values but they should go hand in hand.


Evidence should guide medicine. Evidence should guide public policy.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#Democracy #OBGYN #LadyDocFolsom #RuthHaskinsMD

​Four years ago today, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.


For many, it was a political victory.


For those of us in women's healthcare, it marked one of the most significant setbacks to reproductive medicine and women's rights in modern American history.


The consequences have been real.


Women experiencing miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and other pregnancy emergencies have faced dangerous delays in care. Physicians have been forced to consult attorneys before treating critically ill patients. Hospitals have rewritten protocols around legal risk instead of medical urgency. Some OB-GYN residency programs have struggled to provide comprehensive training, and many physicians have chosen to leave or avoid states where practicing evidence-based medicine could put their careers—or even their liberty—at risk.


Here in California, we remain fortunate. Our state continues to protect reproductive healthcare and allows physicians to practice according to evidence-based medicine rather than political mandates. My patients are largely shielded from the devastating barriers many women now face.


But healthcare should not depend on your ZIP code.


A woman's access to timely, lifesaving medical care should never be determined by which side of a state border she happens to live on. Rights, safety, and dignity should not disappear when you cross a state line.


I find it deeply troubling that this debate has become uniquely American. In virtually every other Western democracy, disagreements over abortion exist, but physicians are not forced to choose between providing medically appropriate care and risking criminal prosecution. Women are not left wondering whether they will receive emergency treatment because their doctor first needs legal advice.


The damage extends far beyond abortion. It has affected emergency obstetric care, prenatal medicine, physician recruitment, medical education, and the trust women place in our healthcare system. It has created fear where there should be confidence, and hesitation where there should be decisive medical action.


As physicians, our duty is to our patients—not to politicians. Medicine works best when decisions are made in the exam room, guided by science, compassion, and the individual needs of the woman before us.


Four years later, the effects continue to ripple through hospitals, clinics, and families across America.


Women's rights are human rights. Women's healthcare is healthcare. We owe our patients better.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#roevwade #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

The reflecting pool in Washington isn't exactly critical infrastructure. It won't determine healthcare policy, lower prescription drug costs, improve maternal outcomes, or strengthen national security.


And yet, somehow, it perfectly captures what's wrong with this administration.


A straightforward restoration project became a case study in poor decision-making: limited oversight, questionable contracting, political connections outweighing expertise, unnecessary cosmetic changes, and a finished product that is already peeling, discolored, and plagued by algae. All covered in political propaganda and misinformation.


The reflecting pool matters not because it's a pool, but because it reflects a pattern.


At the same time we're attempting to navigate extraordinarily complex international challenges, including negotiating a peace deal with Iran, it's fair to ask: what confidence should Americans have in leadership that struggles to manage even the simplest of public projects?


Good government isn't about slogans or photo opportunities. It's about respecting expertise, following established procedures, hiring qualified people, not wasting money and understanding priorities.
When competence becomes optional, the consequences rarely stop at a peeling coat of paint.


Sometimes a pool is just a pool but sometimes it truly is a reflection!


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#poorgovt #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

​Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable cancers in medicine — yet it continues to cause thousands of deaths across the United States each year.


Despite the availability of highly effective screening and the HPV vaccine, too many cases are still being diagnosed late, when they are harder to treat.


Across OB-GYN care in 2026, a consistent concern is emerging:
HPV vaccination rates remain unacceptably low in many adolescent and adult populations, and follow-up after abnormal screening is still inconsistent.


This is where prevention makes the difference:
• HPV vaccination in adolescence provides the strongest long-term protection
• Routine screening detects changes before they become cancer
• Timely follow-up after abnormal results is essential — nothing should be left “on hold”


We know cervical cancer is largely preventable. The challenge now is making prevention universal, not optional.


Learn more: www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd #obgyn #cervicalcancerawareness #HPV 

​
June has arrived — bringing longer evenings, warmer days, school celebrations, Father’s Day, weddings, vacations, and the unmistakable beginning of summer.


It’s a season many of us look forward to all year. But as schedules become busier and temperatures begin to climb, it’s also an important time to pay attention to your health and well-being.


Early summer is a good reminder to slow down occasionally, stay hydrated, protect yourself from excessive heat and sun exposure, and make space for preventive care amidst the activity of the season.


June also highlights several important health observances, including Men’s Health Month, Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, and National Safety Month — all reminders that long-term health is built through consistent attention, early detection, and everyday habits.


For women especially, summer often becomes a season of caring for everyone else first. But your own health matters too.


Whether it’s scheduling your annual exam, keeping up with routine screenings, discussing hormonal or reproductive health, or simply checking in about how you’re feeling, this is a valuable time to prioritize yourself as well.


Our team is here, as always, to provide thoughtful, personalized care through every stage of life — and every season that comes with it.


Enjoy the start of summer, stay cool, and take good care of yourself and those you love. 


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#SummerHealth #PreventiveCare #ladydocfolsom #OBGYN #ruthhaskinsmd

​As we begin Memorial Day weekend, we pause to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. 🇺🇸
For many, this weekend brings family gatherings, travel, sunshine, and the unofficial start of summer — but beneath it all is a day of remembrance, gratitude, and reflection.
As both a physician and Air Force veteran, Memorial Day has always carried special meaning for me. It’s a reminder of sacrifice, service, and the enduring value of caring for one another.
Wherever this weekend takes you, I hope you find moments to rest, reconnect, and stay safe — and to remember those who never made it home.
Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful Memorial Day weekend.