Primary care for the whole family. Most insurances accepted.
03/31/2026
"Phthalates are often called “everywhere” chemicals because they are used in so many consumer products. The chemicals provide flexibility in children’s toys, art supplies, food storage containers, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, garden hoses, medical devices and more.Phthalates also help lubricate substances and carry fragrances in personal care products, including deodorants; nail polishes; perfumes; hair gels, sprays or shampoos; soaps; and body lotions.wrapping plastic that is commonly used in food packaging,” Trasande said.
Research has linked phthalates with reproductive problems such as ge***al malformations and undescended te**es in baby boys and lower s***m counts and testosterone levels in adult males. Studies have also linked phthalates to childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular issues and cancer."
A chemical used in toys and consumer products is linked to thousands of infant deaths and millions of preterm births worldwide, a new study found.
03/02/2026
2025 and 2026 has shaped us in a new way. My heart goes out to all of us navigating loss and grief while also trying to stay present as parents for our children.
Toxic “forever” chemicals known as PFAS have been found at levels above the EPA’s safety thresholds in all but three states: Arkansas, Hawai’i, and North Dakota. PFAS exposure has been linked to serious health effects, from cancer to reduced fertility. We have been working to uphold the standards that protect Americans from PFAS, despite the current administration’s moves to weaken them. Explore the map and learn more: https://on.nrdc.org/49XurkD
We had virtually eliminated measles in the U.S. through herd immunization immunity. Measles is really a terrible and extremely contagious infection. The vaccine is safe and effective. But when a large portion of the population declines preventative immunity, it can spread like a wildfire, especially between those not vaccinated and those who are immune compromised.
If you had the vaccine as a child and want to check your immune status, it can be ordered at the lab. Bend county public health has a wonderful vaccine nurse ❤️ for those that want to get caught up or re-vaccinate.
Measles, one of the most contagious viruses in the world, is regularly infecting people in the U.S. again.
More here: nbcnews.app.link/2RB00U2Xq0b
02/03/2026
Flu is raging locally right now. Flu shots and flu mist (alternative to flu shot) work by reducing the severity of illness as well as hospitalization from secondary flu complications such as asthma flares and pneumonia.
It does typically take about 2 week for a vaccine to start working most effectively after getting it.
Working on our physical & mental health takes a commitment to push through the hard days, the sh*tty times, the low motivation days, the disappointments and sadness, the grief, the fatigue, the defeat, the negative self-talk, the desire to give up... ...just like a partnership.
Getting out of a funk takes courage to take the first step. If you can only do One push up, do one push this week, and try for 2 next week.
If you only think negative thoughts, think one positive thought today to exercise your brain-- say that positive thought on repeat so tomorrow you can have two positive thoughts.
Getting back to the gym after a major mental or physical set back and/or with excess weight can feel foreboding and vulnerable.
Getting back to exercise through defeat, grief or depression can feel impossible. But exercise promotes endorphins and serotonin, allowing the mind and body to heal, strengthen, and build resilience.
I know because that was my 2025-- a traumatic, devastating loss, a fully torn ACL on the left, a fully torn MCL on the right, and every desire to just give up and let defeat win.
But I made myself go back to the gym. One class per week turned into a slow but transformative healing process for me.
01/23/2026
Working on our physical & mental health takes a commitment to push through the hard days, the sh*tty times, the low motivation days, the disappointments and sadness, the grief, the fatigue, the defeat, the negative self-talk, the desire to give up... ...just like a partnership.
Getting out of a funk takes courage to take the first step. If you can only do One push up, do one push this week, and try for 2 next week.
If you only think negative thoughts, think one positive thought today to exercise your brain-- say that positive thought on repeat so tomorrow you can have two positive thoughts.
Getting back to the gym after a major mental or physical set back and/or with excess weight can feel foreboding and vulnerable.
Getting back to exercise through defeat, grief or depression can feel impossible. But exercise promotes endorphins and serotonin, allowing the mind and body to heal, strengthen, and build resilience.
I know because that was my 2025-- a traumatic, devastating loss, a fully torn ACL on the left, a fully torn MCL on the right, and every desire to just give up and let defeat win.
But I made myself go back to the gym. One class per week turned into a slow but transformative healing process for me.
In a concerning trend, colorectal cancer now appears to be the deadliest cancer for young adults. https://cnn.it/3NFGs5u
01/20/2026
01/16/2026
Flu season is ramping up right now locally big time. Reminder that the flu vaccine doesn't fully prevent flu infection, but it does do a great job at reducing overall risk of symptom severity, flu complications such as pneumonia, and risk of hospitalization. We advocate for flu vaccinations, handwashing and mask hygiene, whole food nutrition that supports our immune systems, and specific natural agents that aid the body's ability to fight infections better, such as omega 3, vitamin D, zinc, vitamin A, elderberry, just to name a few.
Ellie Rudd will be buried in a light blue and white Princess Elsa costume, made for her as a last gift from her aunt. "Frozen" was one of her favorite movies.
The rambunctious 4-year-old – who loved mud and getting dressed up and having dance parties with her brother and sisters – died January 6, after the flu and a co-infection with an adenovirus turned into pneumonia and sepsis. "She was probably my healthiest of all my kids," said her mom, Sarah Rudd. https://cnn.it/3LOr6uU
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Our vision is to reduce barriers to care and increase access to bilingual primary care, including immunizations, for the young and the old regardless of financial status, documentation status, or ability to be seen in a traditional clinic setting due to mental health, physical health, or transportation.
Having been on the “other side” as a patient, I too often felt rushed, unheard, and overwhelmed while getting medical care in a traditional office setting. I felt I had a specialist for everything but not just one provider who knew me well, who saw me regularly, who understood me or had time. And then I had children, and getting to the clinic became even harder--I hoped for a different experience, something with a more old fashion approach, a medical provider that had time & patience, maybe even a more holistic approach to medicine.
As a medical provider in a traditional clinic setting, I wanted to spend quality time with my patients but my appointment slots were 15-20 minutes per patient on average. I knew I could give my patients something better. I also wanted to practice in a less conventional setting and offer my patients a more holistic approach to their care, integrating alternative medicine and preventative medicine whenever possible.
And so was birthed the idea returning to a more simple, more personal medical practice--house calls. Hearthside Medicine is unique in that patients can use their insurance or pay cash at an affordable rate. We also offer an income-based sliding scale. We offer long appointments (45-60 min directly with provider) in our clinic or in your home. We aim to remove the barriers that prevent folks from getting the care they need by coming right to their door, offering everything a clinic offers but in the comfort of home.
My practice is unique in many ways, the first being that it is small, with only one provider--myself, a dual-certified acute care and family care nurse practitioner. My practice model is to see only 5-6 patients a day, spending unrushed, quality time with them. To keep my services affordable and be able to offer sliding scale care to those in need, I keep my overhead low. That means, instead of interacting with multiple different staff members, my patients generally communicate directly with me and have increased access to me over phone or email.
I offer concierge-style medicine without concierge prices or costly membership fees, just your co-pay. I also offer a very affordable cash rate (discounted about 60%) or income-based sliding scale for those who are uninsured or under-insured. In addition, services in Spanish are provided as I am bilingual. Everyone is welcome to medical care, regardless of documentation status, gender, ethnicity, race, age, religious or political preferences, or sexual orientation.
A few of our high-focus areas of service in addition to general primary care include non-judgement, non-pressured immunization counseling and consults for those who are curious or cautious or questioning about vaccines. I serve and respect patients of all different beliefs on the topic, though I personally encourage full vaccination on schedule. I discuss vaccine ingredients, safety, pros/cons, risks/benefits as objectively as possible, knowing this topic is difficult at best, and not at all black and white.
Other areas of interest include community education and support groups, including perinatal depression and anxiety support. I founded and direct a local medical organization that provides continuing medical education to all health professionals and sometimes to the community at well, called COAPP (Central Oregon Advanced Practice Providers). Teaching and learning, networking and building community are important to me, as is community service and improving access to healthcare, a basic human right.
