Jean Cool, MD

	Joined Feb, 1985 Department: Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) [Map] Title: Physician Degree: MD Interests: Wheel Thrown Ceramics, Quilting, Gardening, Tai Chi, Reading Languages: English Physician Homepage
Bio During my childhood my father was in the Coast Guard, and we moved every two years until he retired and the family settled in Modesto, California, to be near family. Growing up, I spent time in the Bay Area, Alaska and Cleveland and finished junior high and high school in Modesto. My entry into health care was through nursing. After two years at the University of California at Berkeley, I entered the School of Nursing at UCSF. During my three years there, I helped support myself by working as a medical assistant and then as an LVN. Upon graduation, I worked as a charge nurse on a medical/surgical unit at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, California. Wanting some adventure, I began working with Project HOPE on a land based program on the large Navajo reservation in northeastern Arizona. I enjoyed a lot of different experiences there, including living in the high desert, working with and learning about both the Navajo and the Hopi Indians, and adjusting to a very small 26-bed hospital. Working in an area with poor medical backup led to my decision to become a physician. I chose the specialty of Family Medicine because I enjoyed taking care of women and children. After completing my residency in Family Medicine at Community Hospital of Sonoma County (now Sutter Hospital), I began working in the Ob-Gyn Department at Kaiser Santa Rosa in 1984. I chose to stay with Kaiser Santa Rosa because I liked the integrated system, the emphasis on preventative services, and the vast array of health education resources available to members. There was no way to duplicate that in private practice! Although I reboard every seven years in Family Medicine, my practice is limited to women's health in the Ob-Gyn Department. I do not have a panel of patients in the Family Medicine Department and do not routinely follow patients for medical problems that are usually cared for in medicine. I am interested in preventative health and try to incorporate that approach into my practice.
My Medical Specialty
More details about my specialty: I chose the specialty of Family Medicine because I enjoyed taking care of women and children. After completing my residency in Family Medicine at Community Hospital of Sonoma County (now Sutter Hospital), I began working in the Ob-Gyn Department at Kaiser Santa Rosa in 1984. I chose to stay with Kaiser Santa Rosa because I like the integrated system, the emphasis on preventative services, and the vast array of health education classes available to members. Although I reboard every seven years in Family Medicine, my practice is limited to women's health in the Ob-Gyn Department. I do not have a panel of patients in the Family Medicine Department and do not routinely follow patients for medical problems that are usually cared for in departments outside of OB-GYN. I am interested in preventative health and try to incorporate that into my practice. My specialty interests and affiliations within my field: I am Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice and belong to the American Association of Family Physicians.
Interests
I have been throwing ceramics for 7 years. I find that it is very relaxing and I enjoy both creating and perfecting new shapes and creating and combining glazes. I have entered work in Kaiser Santa Rosa's Diversity Art Show for the past several years, and I have been invited in the past to show and sell work at a local winery during weekend festivals. I started quilting about 4 years ago and always have several quilts going at once. I have made several bed size quits and a number of smaller wall hangings. As a relative newcomer to quilting, I am still learning a lot of new skills and techniques. As with ceramics, I like playing with patterns and color. I currently have five large quilting projects in the works. I easily fell into the habit of accumulating a fabric "stash" for future projects. Knitting has also kept my hands occupied in th evenings and during meetings. We have a large yard and I grow both cutting flowers and vegetables in the summer. I wait all year for home grown tomatoes and Armenian cucumbers! My favorite tomato is the small Sun Gold because it has the most flavor. Some years I plant other vegetables such as beans, beets, chard, peppers, squash, and lettuce. I am a firm believer in the many benefits of regular exercise. I do weight training and regular cardio. I also began taking Tai Chi 18 months ago and have enjoyed it and found it to be a great stress reducer. Currently reading: I read 1-2 books/week and listen to books on tape while driving. My favorite book or author: Any Mystery	Hobby Photos & Links: Bed Quilt-Sampler Vases and teapot Covered Rice Bowl Platters and Teapot Sunflower Leaf Platter Pottery-Covered Casserole Quilt-Tessalated Triangles Quilt-When Suns Collide
Family & Friends
People in my life: I have been married to Tom McQuaid for over 30 years. He is retired and spends a lot of his time sculpting. Although he has done a lot of work in wood and stone, most of his recent work is in clay. He takes several art classes at SRJC each semester. We have our own electric wheel and kiln. It is nice to share this common interest in clay with Tom. We both like to travel and often visit art galleries and studios. My children and people I care about: We have 2 sons who are grown and out of the house. The older one lives in San Francisco and is pursuing a career in music production, and the younger one works in Santa Cruz.
My pets: My boxer Marley died a few months ago at the age of 13 1/2. I was a cat person before getting Marley, who was my first dog, but I have crossed over and have become a confirmed dog lover since I got her. I love the huge personality and playfulness that boxer's have, and I am starting to look for another one.	Pet Photos: Marley
Travel