MOCI Wellness

A few weeks ago, I recorded this on my first morning seeing patients at the Kind Clinic in Turlock and am still feeling the same excitement!

Through my partnership with LHE and the Women’s Health Initiative 360, we are expanding access to midlife and menopause care across more communities in California’s Central Valley, helping more than 200 women receive specialized women’s health care that has too often been unavailable or out of reach.

The reality is that we are facing a major menopause care gap. There are not enough providers trained in perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause care, and many women are navigating this phase of life feeling dismissed, confused, or alone.

That’s why this work matters so much.

Menopause literacy isn’t just about information: it’s about access. It’s about meeting women where they are and making sure they feel seen, heard, and properly cared for. It is about the necessity in receiving care, education, and support that should never have been difficult to find.

I’m incredibly grateful to be part of an initiative working to change how women experience healthcare in midlife, and I’m excited to continue bringing these conversations and this care to more communities!

Part 2 of yesterday’s reflection 💛

Caring for women through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond isn’t just my profession: it’s a privilege.

So many communities still don’t have enough resources or spaces dedicated to midlife women. I meet patients every day who have been searching for answers, wondering if what they’re experiencing is “just aging” or something they’re supposed to push through alone.

Midlife is a long journey. It isn’t always easy, but when women find the right support, treatment, and understanding, the change can be extraordinary. Feeling better isn’t just about today; it’s about protecting your future health, your relationships, your joy, and your sense of self!

If there’s one message I want women to hear: stay persistent. Ask questions. Seek resources. Advocate for yourself until you find someone who truly sees you, validates your experience, and helps you move forward.

And a special thank you to the patient who inspired this reflection! A powerful reminder that speaking up for yourself can change everything. It is never too late to find help, feel better, and reclaim your life✨

Fresh out of bed, in between some household errands, and just have something that has been on my mind.

Almost every week, I meet women who have asked about hormone therapy and were told it isn’t safe, not only that but that it causes cancer, heart disease, or blood clots.

Here’s the reality:

Menopause medicine has evolved!

We now have updated research, clearer risk stratification, and established clinical guidelines supporting hormone therapy as a safe and effective option for many women when appropriately evaluated.

For the right patient, it should be part of a preventive health strategy: supporting brain health, bone density, metabolic health, pelvic tissues, sleep, mood, and overall quality of life. What frustrates me most is not disagreement in medicine, it’s when outdated information prevents women from even having the conversation.

Women deserve informed discussions.
Women deserve individualized care.
Women deserve providers who stay current.

If you’ve been told hormones are “never safe,” it may be time for a second conversation!