Ruth Gingerich, BSN ’71, MA ’72

On Jan. 26, 2013, Ruth Gingerich wrote:

I always appreciate your newsletters, and always mean to respond telling about what I am doing.  I am keeping very busy and have a rather unique practice.

Twenty- eight years ago we moved to Carmel, California.  I taught MCH Nursing at our local Community College for 3 semesters.  That was all I could take because I really did not believe in 2 yr. programs (which abound in California) and I went from teaching MCH at UI where they had a 9% C-Birth rate to Monterey County where the  C-Birth rate was 33%.  Currently it is 30-40%.  Immediately on arriving  here I met the  local Midwives who wondered whether I could do the newborn exams and newborn screening tests.  I could, and have been doing it ever since.  That also started my CPNP independent practice.  For a few years I contracted 2-3 deals per week at th e County Health Dept. for their Well Child Clinics and then at the Ft. Ord Well Child Clinic.  After a few years my independent practice grew to be full time.  My main focus has been Preventive Health Care and common illnesses for the Pediatric years.  I refer patients who need more complicated diagnosis and treatment to any of the pediatricians in the area.  Through the years my interests have expanded to allergy, ADD-ADHD, Autism, herbal and nutritional medicine.  Recently I became an Affiliate with  the Amen Affiliated Education Center, part of the Amen Clinics.  Daniel Amen, MD, Psychiatrist is director.   Currently, I also do travel vaccines and counseling.

My practice is unique in that I am independent with an office in my home.  I have a good reputation among local physicians, several of whom have referred patients to me because the patients were too "alternative in their thinking for their medical practice.  Many of my colleagues are retired, but I am  having too much fun with  my practice to retire any time soon.

I am glad that I continue to see some familiar names in the College of Nursing Newsletters.  I wish there were more BSN programs out here, but California seems to be devoted to their Community College programs.  For a few years, I taught some classes in the Dominguez Hills RN to BSN Program.  That takes at least 3 years after their 2 yr. program.