High Desert Medical Group, Dr. Richard Merkin, CEO, Featured on CNN Discussing Critical Issue of H1N1 and Pregnant Women

LANCASTER, Calif., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- High Desert Medical Group is featured on CNN discussing the critical issue of pregnant women with H1N1. CNN Correspondent Kara Finnstrom, producer Paul Vercammen and camera crew traveled to Lancaster, California reporting a 3 minute feature story on High Desert Medical Group enrollees Nancy Brizendine and Kayla Yost, mother and daughter who are both pregnant and suffered the debilitating effects of H1N1.

"If Nancy and Kayla had access to the H1N1 vaccine sooner, their illness could have been prevented," said Dr. Anthony Dulgeroff, Assistant Medical Director for High Desert Medical Group. "We were very concerned for Nancy and Kayla because of their pregnancies. The Centers for Disease Control says pregnant women are four times more likely than other H1N1 patients to end up hospitalized and suffer from serious illness and death, so we have been very vigilant in our follow up with them. Nancy was hit very hard and Kayla had to be hospitalized with severe breathing difficulties, was on oxygen and had to be quarantined," continued Dr. Dulgeroff.

Not only was Nancy (a Medical Assistant at HDMG) very concerned for herself and her baby (she is six months pregnant) but also very frightened for her 22 year old daughter Kayla, who is eight months pregnant. "I wanted to go see her and make sure she was okay and her baby was okay, and I couldn't even do that. I was so sick I could barely get out of bed."

Both Nancy and Kayla feel strongly that pregnant women should get vaccinated, as they related their completing story to CNN. "I cannot urge pregnant women enough to make sure they get vaccinated," said Kayla. "This is life threatening, and in my case, I came closer than I ever expected. You have to consider your baby as well as yourself."

"It is important to us that the message from the CDC regarding the dangers for pregnant women and H1N1 be taken seriously," said Dr. Richard Merkin, CEO of High Desert Medical Group. "We are pleased Nancy and Kayla are doing better and are able to let other pregnant women know of their life-threatening experience."

About High Desert Medical Group (HDMG)

High Desert Medical Group has a long-standing promise to provide residents of the Antelope Valley with the highest quality health care possible. Living up to our promise is an on-going commitment, which necessitates our growth as a multi-specialty medical group providing a wide range of health care services for our patients. For more than 25 years, we've been fortunate to have an impressive team of health care professionals, administrators, support personnel and dedicated volunteers who work in unison to help us deliver on our promise. Together, we partner with local hospitals, medical experts and business leaders, and we actively support numerous organizations, educational, cultural and recreational events. Our team of healthcare professionals is available and ready to help you with all of your medical needs. We accept over 85 different health plans, including HMO, PPO, POS, EPO, Private and Medicare plans. Our Lancaster facility offers the convenience of having your Primary Care Physician, Lab, X-Ray, Urgent Care, Pharmacy, a Health Education Department, Infusion Center, and a multitude of subspecialties all under the same roof. In addition, our Urgent Care is now open 24 hours a day 7 days a week including holidays. We also have a full service Occupational Medicine Center on-site. High Desert Medical Group is a part of Heritage Provider Network medical family network. www.heritageprovidernetwork.com.
www.hdmg.net