​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.

Preventive medicine should be guided by evidence, not politics.


This week, the leadership of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) — the independent panel that helps determine recommendations for mammograms, colon cancer screening, cardiovascular prevention, and many other routine health screenings — was removed by HHS leadership.


For patients, this matters more than many realize.


The USPSTF has long played a central role in evidence-based preventive care in the United States. Their recommendations influence not only medical practice, but also what preventive services are covered under the Affordable Care Act without additional cost to patients.


As physicians, we rely on rigorous scientific review, long-term data, and independent expert analysis to guide screening recommendations. Preventive care works best when it remains grounded in medicine, research, and patient outcomes.


No matter what changes occur at the federal level, one thing remains true:
early detection saves lives.


Routine mammograms, cervical cancer screening, colon cancer screening, blood pressure management, and preventive women’s healthcare remain critically important.


Please don’t delay your preventive care because of political headlines or confusion in the news cycle. Continue regular visits with your physician and discuss what screening schedule is right for you personally.


Your health deserves consistency, science, and thoughtful care. 


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com




#PreventiveCare #ladydocfolsom #OBGYN #ruthhaskinsmd

Be the reason someone smiles today.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

#happymonday #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd