Santa Barbara Doctors ExtraCare – April 2020 Newsletter

April 2020 ExtraCare Newsletter

Did you notice the change in our Newsletter? This is because we have some great news!

Santa Barbara Doctors is proud to welcome Dr Alan J Viglione to the practice. Dr. Viglione will be working out of the 216 W. Pueblo Office as Dr. Danson transitions into retirement.

Here is a little bit about Dr. Viglione. He completed undergraduate and graduate degrees from Boston College and UC Santa Barbara prior to completing medical education training at SUNY Upstate Medical University and subsequently Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco, in Internal Medicine. He specializes in general Internal Medicine with particular interests in sports medicine, preventative care, nutrition, and health education through online blogging and community lectures. He practiced at the renowned Edinger Medical Group in Orange County prior to relocating to Santa Barbara.

Words can’t describe how excited I am to join Santa Barbara Doctors and continue the legacy that Dr Danson built for 35 years in the community of Santa Barbara. I’m humbled to be part of something special. These times are invariably challenging and I understand, more than ever, the importance of feeling connected to your care team and present with your physician. To me this means taking the time to listen, empathize, and educate: 3 words that meant so much more before medicine became clouded with distractions. The art of medicine wraps these principles into a cultural and emotional framework to create a wellness plan. This is my dream, and I’m beyond thankful to be part of a practice that values this.

My love for patient care is rooted in my years at UC Santa Barbara. Following my undergraduate studies at Boston College I serendipitously stumbled upon a Master’s degree program that allowed me to realize my love for teaching. While in SB, I taught and tutored over 10 courses in the biological sciences. Education aside, I fell in love with connecting with students and guiding them to achieve their best, and be their best. This active participation holds especially true with my practice of medicine, over a decade later; I intend to be your quarterback through these chaotic times and work with each and every one of you to realize the healthiest version of yourself. This includes an appreciation for diet and exercise, both of which are core to my own happiness and will transcend many discussions that we have on mental and physical health. Aside from being a certified personal trainer (CPT) and lecturer on exercise physiology, you’re very likely to see me running the streets of Santa Barbara, hiking, playing sports, or enjoying the sunshine. I’m so excited to be home and cannot wait to engage in your journey.

~Wish you all the health and happiness ~

Alan J Viglione, MD

Stay at Home – the new normal

As the days at home continue to drag on, I thought this would be a great time to remind you of some important ways to stay healthy and sane during this time. Some of these suggestions are based in medical fact and some just my personal opinion. Because no one out there can predict exactly how long we will need to practice physical distancing and my answer, when asked, is to get used to it for now.

So here is my list:

Stay home, especially if you are a high risk individual.
If you must go out, WEAR A MASK.
Incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet every day and avoid sugars.
Exercise daily, at least 30 minutes.
Incorporate healthy stress reduction techniques into your daily routine such as meditation or yoga.
Stay connected with friends and family members over phone or video.
Learn something new… take an online language course, learn to play an instrument, enroll in a master class.
Stop watching the news!

Reach out to us immediately with any health concerns, including possible COVID-19 symptoms.

And although this is something that no one ever wants to think about, it actually is the perfect time to make sure that your advanced healthcare directive is up to date and that you have shared your wishes with your family. Documents are available at https://mycare.cottagehealth.org/. Once completed it is important to upload a copy to Cottage Hospital and email us a copy as well.

I promise you that we WILL be able to leave our homes again at some point but until that time I hope you all remain healthy and happy.

Dr. Hrach