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Docs celebrate blessed event ... 30th anniversary
By Mary Ann Cook
TWO DOCTORS MARK ANNIVERSARY: Doctors Anthony Damore and Sidney Sogolow are marking their 30th year working together in their Los Gatos practice. Combined, they have probably delivered 1,500 babies, some 50 babies a month being the norm.
The two were instrumental in establishing an alternative birthing center, The Family Birth Place, at Community Hospital of Los Gatos, with rooming in for mothers and babies. Rooming in allows the mother to labor, deliver and recoup in the same room while never being separated from her baby.
The two met at Kaiser and became fast friends, then opened their private practice on May 1, 1972. The doctors both married high school sweethearts (Rosalie Sogolow and Anna Damore) and settled in Saratoga. The Damores have six children and 11 grandchildren; the Sogolows have two children and three grandchildren.
Though they no longer deliver babies, they still have a thriving infertility and gynecological practice. Purdy, who has worked for them since 1974, says the doctors are revered and loved in both their professional and personal lives-including by her.
JANET KERR REMEMBERED: A dear and dedicated person with a wicked sense of humor was how friends and colleagues remembered Janet Kerr in a tribute to her life at the Art Museum of Los Gatos recently. It was a fitting setting, since painting was a very important part of Janet Kerr's life.
She was the docent coordinator for the museum and had served in that role for many years. She was also an avid participant in the Friday art sessions sponsored by the recreation department at the neighborhood center, and she taught art classes there as well.
Pat and Ted Glauser were close friends and neighbors of Janet. When Ted called her in the hospital, he said, "Had I known you were hospitalized, I could have brought you candy, flowers, a martini." Her response: "I don't know about the candy and flowers, but definitely the martini."
Said museum curator Catherine Politopoulos, "She did so much for the museum and so much of it unsung that I won't know how grievously we'll miss her until a few months have gone by. Only then will we be aware of all the things not being done."
MEETING WITH CONGRESS: Nurse Emily Leo, diabetes educator at Community Hospital of Los Gatos, was part of the delegation that went to Washington last week to influence Congress to allocate more money for diabetes research. She was the only Bay Area participant.
Chosen by the American Diabetes Association to participate in the event-called Call to Congress: Conquer Diabetes-Leo joined 300 other educators, patients and their families who met with congressional leaders.
Some 16 million people in the United States have diabetes, and it's the seventh leading cause of death. The Diabetes Management Program at Community Hospital, which Leo initiated, includes training in blood glucose control and monitoring, meal planning, exercise and medication.
A support group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Rehab Center, 355 Dardanelli Lane. The hospital's diabetes program is covered by Medicare. The phone number is 408.866.3935.
The federal government spends $40 billion a year treating diabetics, less than $1 billion researching a cure, Leo laments.
GREAT RACE: The number of runners was down, but the number of sponsors was up, so the totals were gratifying for one of Los Gatos Rotary's major fundraisers, The Great Race. Teresa Scagliotti was chairman for the second time and proclaimed volunteer announcer Dick Hughes, a last-minute replacement, "a delight."
There were 200 fewer entrants than the year before (2,450, compared to 2,650), but for the first time women runners outnumbered men. "This is a growing trend," Scagliotti said. "When the race first started, women were decidedly in the minority."
Sponsorship dollars were $40,000, compared to $28,000 last year. The overlap with Easter vacation week could be blamed for the drop in participants, Scagliotti conjectured. One of the oldest competitors was Bill Cilker at 83, coming in a close third in the 80-85 division.
One Gabriella Robinson Doug was the youngest at 6 months. Baby Gabriella, in a stroller, was wheeled at the impressive pace of 7 minutes, 23 seconds a mile. Another impressive time was logged by 7-year-old Anne Marie Schmidt of Saratoga, who clocked in first in her division at 9 minutes, 59 seconds per mile.
The oldest winning woman was 80-year-old Bette Pestka, at 9 minutes, 25 seconds per mile, and a first in her division. An unidentified man on stilts had the longest leg up on the others. Athletic Performance and Runners Factory were cited for all their help and contributions.
ART IN CHAMBERS: Currently on exhibit in council chambers are views of the Farmers' Market, painted by Michiko Cooley, Mirta Recco, Ann Joy, Cathy Farly, Sue Huntley, Jill Templeton, Lynne Bonetti, Maky Johnson and Mari Yamashiro-students in Amy Konsterlie's watercolor class for high school seniors.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
