​As Diwali ends, I hope each of you found moments of joy, peace, and connection amid the celebrations.

This time of year always reminds me that light doesn’t just come from diyas or fireworks, it comes from healing, kindness, and the small acts of care that keep us connected. Whether it’s holding a patient’s hand, calling a loved one you’ve been too busy to reach, or simply taking a moment to rest, these are our everyday lights.

Diwali is about renewal and a fresh start after darkness. In medicine, I see that renewal every day: the strength of patients fighting to recover, the resilience of families showing up for each other, the quiet courage that keeps hope alive even in difficult times.

May the light of Diwali continue to guide us toward empathy, balance, and well-being. In our hospitals, our homes, and our communities. May we carry that same spirit of healing forward, together.

Wishing you all a healthy, peaceful, and purpose-filled year ahead.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#PostDiwaliReflections #RenewalAndResilience #OBGYN #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

As a doctor and a proud American, yesterday moved me.

More than 7 million people across the country stood together — patients, parents, nurses, teachers, neighbors — united under one message: No Kings. Marching for freedom, democracy, and the right to make our own choices about our bodies and our futures.

I see every day what happens when healthcare is treated like a privilege instead of a right. I’ve held the hands of women afraid of losing access to care. I’ve seen families struggle because politicians think they know better than patients and doctors.

Yesterday wasn’t just a protest against Trump, it was a reminder that America belongs to all of us. That healthcare is freedom. That democracy only works when we protect each other’s rights and dignity.

No kings. No masters. Just compassion, choice, and care for one another.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com
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#NoKings #ProDemocracy #HealthcareIsAHumanRight #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

October 11, Celebrates The International Day of the Girl Child. 


In my profession, I see every day how strong, resilient, and full of potential girls and young women are. Let us all take a moment to celebrate that strength, and to remember the responsibility we all share to protect and nurture it.


The International Day of the Girl Child is about more than recognition. It’s a call to make sure every girl grows up with access to education, healthcare, and the freedom to make decisions about her own body and her own future. Around the world—and even here in the United States—those rights are far from equal. Girls and women still earn considerably less than men for the same work, and in many places, reproductive care and the right to choose remain restricted or uncertain.


These issues aren’t abstract, they affect real lives, real families, and the health and wellbeing of generations to come. Equality in pay, access, and healthcare is not only a matter of fairness; it’s essential to a healthier, more just society.


I celebrate every girl’s strength, curiosity, and courage, and I stand for a future where every one of them can grow, dream, and decide freely.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#equality #freedomtochoose #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

Nobel Prize in Medicine 2025: Keeping the Immune System in Balance


This year’s Nobel Prize in Medicine goes to Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for discoveries that help explain one of biology’s most delicate balancing acts — how the immune system defends us without turning on the body itself.


Their research uncovered how certain immune cells, known as regulatory T cells, act as peacekeepers, preventing the immune system from attacking healthy tissue. The key was a gene called FOXP3, which proved to be essential for these cells to function properly.


That finding reshaped how scientists understand autoimmune disease — and opened up new possibilities for treating conditions like type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. It’s also changing how doctors think about cancer, where easing up on these “brakes” can sometimes help the immune system fight tumors more effectively.


The Nobel Committee described their work as revealing how the body “preserves harmony within its own defenses” — a poetic reminder that good health depends as much on restraint as on resistance.


What makes the 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine so important is that it captures a shift in how we understand the immune system. For decades, medicine focused on how to boost immunity — vaccines, antibodies, anti-cancer drugs. Brunkow, Ramsdell, and Sakaguchi showed that health also depends on knowing when to hold the immune system back.


In short, their discovery reframes medicine’s biggest challenge: how to fine-tune the immune system rather than simply switch it on or off.
As one immunologist put it, “They didn’t just find a new gene — they found the language the immune system uses to make peace with itself.”




www.ruthhaskinsmd.com




#nobelprize #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to pause and remind ourselves of the importance of paying attention to our health. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, yet when it’s caught early, it can often be treated successfully. That’s why awareness matters so much.

It’s important to notice changes—whether it’s a new lump, a shift in the way the breast looks or feels, or skin and nipple changes that don’t seem normal for you. These things don’t always mean cancer, but they’re worth having checked by a doctor.

Awareness isn’t just about knowing the signs. It’s also about remembering regular screenings, talking to your doctor about mammograms, and encouraging loved ones to do the same. Taking care of ourselves in small ways—staying active, eating well, resting, and limiting alcohol—also supports long-term health.
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This month is more than just wearing pink. It’s about starting conversations, raising awareness, and reminding one another that early detection saves lives.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#breastcancerawareness #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

​Hello, October! 


As cooler days settle in and the holiday season draws nearer, it’s the perfect time to pause, refresh, and put your health at the top of your list.


Whether you’re due for your annual exam, want to check in on your reproductive wellness, or simply wish to stay proactive before the busy months ahead, our team is here with expert, compassionate care.


We’re honored to be your trusted partners in Obstetrical and Gynecologic health.


Call us on (916) 817-2649 or visit www.ruthhaskinsmd.com to schedule your appointment.


#Octoberhealth #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd