Dr. Vilma Ruddock, M.D.
Vilma Ruddock, M.D. is Harvard-trained in Obstetrics, Gynecology, Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, and has a passion for writing and teaching. She is an expert on women's health and diseases, including:
- Pregnancy
- Infertility
- Contraception
- Hormonal disorders
- Menopause
In her practice of comprehensive women's health, she also has expertise on disease prevention, wellness and fitness, nutrition, weight and stress management, and hair and skin care.
Pregnancy and Women's Health Expert
Dr. Ruddock has spent over 20 years in the practice of comprehensive adult and adolescent women's health care and gynecologic surgery. Her practice includes areas specific to the health of women of all ages as well as general health and prevention issues. She is trained in managing:
- Pregnancy
- Pre-pregnancy health
- Infertility
- Family planning
Dr. Ruddock spent many years teaching and training medical students, physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and other allied health professionals in taking care of the health of pregnant and non-pregnant women.
Nutrition, Wellness, and Fitness Expertise
Dr. Ruddock has written several patient education materials on maintaining a healthier lifestyle through healthy eating, weight management, exercise and avoiding risky behaviors. She has a lifelong love of health promotion, wellness and fitness of mind and body, as well as public health.
As a gymnast throughout her teens, healthy food choices, food preparation, and regular exercise became second nature. Dr. Ruddock does a lot of reading and research in these areas to supplement her courses at the Harvard School of Public Health during medical school.
Disease Prevention Advocate
Dr. Ruddock always emphasizes risk reduction and disease prevention in her care of women. She believes that the practice of gynecology is not just about the breast exam, pelvic exam and Pap smear. Therefore, she spent many years guiding women to learn about the diseases for which they are at greater risk than "female diseases," such as heart disease, and to take early steps to prevent them.
Understanding the effect of stress on people's health and well-being, Dr. Ruddock teaches classes and seminars on stress management and the relaxation response. This holistic approach to women's health and prevention includes:
- Advice on health screening guidelines
- Early detection of diseases
- How to live healthier lives
- How to access the healthcare system and health information in the digital age
Skin and Hair Care Expertise
Women tend to go to their gynecologist first for everything, and hair and skin advice is no exception. Dr. Ruddock's expertise in Endocrinology includes the biology of hair and skin. Disorders of hair or skin often have a hormonal basis. She is very experienced in advising women on hair and skin care and on the vast amounts of non-prescription products that floods the market. This is researched information women can trust, considering the misinformation on many of these products.
Volunteer Activities
Over the years, Dr. Ruddock enjoyed volunteering as:
- Board member for a substance abuse prevention program
- Manager of a food pantry for low income pregnant women
- Honorary chair for the March of Dimes walk on prevention of premature births
Writing and Teaching Experience
At graduation from Harvard Medical School, Dr. Ruddock received first prize for the best senior thesis in its category, The Relationship between Cultural Beliefs and the Health of a Community. Some years later, she received a prize for Achievement in Medicine from her undergraduate university.
Professional Speaker
She continued her passion for writing and teaching by contributing articles to local magazines and newspapers, and by giving numerous talks and seminars on women's health topics to other physicians, nurses, students, and corporate and community groups. She also participated in a few local radio and television programs in the past.
Advocate of Patient Education
Dr. Ruddock is a strong advocate of patient education and empowering women to take active control of their health. Following the adage that "knowledge is power," she has written many simplified health leaflets and manuals for her patients. She is always thinking about ways to inform a wider audience and has several book ideas that she is working on in order to fulfill her desire to be a published author.
Connect With Vilma Ruddock, M.D.
If you'd like to know more about Dr. Ruddock and the services she provides, contact her via her LinkedIn profile.
Most Recent Contributions by Dr. Vilma Ruddock, M.D.
Can You Get Pregnant After an Ablation?
Some women undergo a procedure called endometrial ablation to manage heavy menstrual periods. Since the procedure affects the condition of t ... Read More
Managing Different Types of Skin Parasites
Skin parasites are small black bugs that burrow under your skin and cause itching and other uncomfortable symptoms. Sometimes the bugs are s ... Read More
Online Pregnancy Check Quiz
Some women are aware they are pregnant soon after the embryo implants in the uterus, and their hormones start increasing. If you're wonderin ... Read More
What Causes Shakiness in Older Adults?
Everyone gets shaky hands from time to time, but regular shakiness is more common in older adults. Shaky hands or having other body parts sh ... Read More
What to Do About a Hard Pimple That Won't Pop
Acne is a common skin condition affecting up to 85% of people at some point in their lives. All types of acne can be a source of frustration ... Read More