Page 90 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2020

feature | healthcare for kids
feature | women in wine

THE PREGNANCY CENTER

Pregnancy sometimes comes unexpectedly. The medical team at the
Pregnancy Center offers a medical-quality pregnancy test and an early
ultrasound to determine how far along the pregnancy is. Expectant
choosing from 250 video lessons about pregnancy, babies, parenting, DR. TINA RUTAR,
mothers (and fathers) can enroll in the Earn While You Learn program,
and life skills, and meeting weekly with a mentor. Clients earn Mommy
Money or Daddy Dollars for class attendance, homework, and other CATARACT & LASER INSTITUTE
parent-related learning, redeemable at the on-site Parent Pantry and at
St. Vincent de Paul. Closer to the baby’s due date, moms may join the
New Mom’s Club, five classes taught by experts in the field—labor and
delivery, breast-feeding, car seat safety, infant CPR, and boundaries. The The phrase “the gift of sight” defines what Dr. Tina Rutar gives on
final class is a group baby shower with gifts including a car seat, and a a daily basis. She treats adults, but specializes in pediatric ophthal-
raffle for a crib. mology. She is the only strabismus (eye misalignment) specialist in
Southern Oregon. When glasses and other treatments fail to align the
Moms (and dads too) can continue with the Center until the baby’s first eyes, she performs eye muscle surgery, enabling improved vision and
birthday, although many pop in and show off their little ones long after. avoiding possible double vision. She also performs cataract surgery
on children (and adults).

There are social benefits from addressing a child’s eye issues—less
teasing, improved classroom learning, and improved self-esteem.
Even if sight cannot be restored, surgery allows for better facial pres-
entation. Preemies are at high risk of eye disease and potential blind-
ness, and screening helps her address the issues and follow through
as the children grow.

Perhaps the hardest diagnosis is visual impairment or blindness, an
emotionally charged situation. When Dr. Rutar is able to restore
sight, which sometimes requires multiple surgeries, the results are
amazing and carry lifelong benefit.

Dr. Rutar used the word “rewarding” often, a word that truly
describes how she feels about what she offers her patients.

88 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | winter 2020