Showing our Independence Day spirit in Alameda

Stanford Medicine Children’s Health was proud to take part in the 41st annual 4th of July Parade in Alameda and to serve as the founding sponsor of the inaugural Alameda Coast Guard Festival. The parade — the longest parade in the nation, with a route that spans 3.3 miles — was bigger than ever before, with more than 170 entries, 2,500 participants, and over 70,000 spectators. The hometown celebration featured bands, decorated floats, 150 horses and a bull, dance troops, and local officials and celebrities riding in classic cars. Stanford Medicine Children’s Health entered a 25-foot balloon-covered float into the parade. More than 20 members from Bayside Medical Group rode on the red-and-white balloon float, which was custom-made by Balloonatics. Tina Hong, MD, from Bayside Medical Group Alameda said, “It was a beautiful morning riding on that eye-popping balloon-covered float with my colleagues, staff and kids and seeing many current and new families to our practice at the festival. It was an afternoon to be remembered.” Grace Troup, marketing specialist at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, said the impressive float was visible from a mile away. “People were very captivated by the float, and as it got closer they could see it was the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health logo. Everyone in the crowd clapped and cheered.”

The pediatricians and medical office staff from Bayside Medical Group who participated in this local festivity were grateful for the opportunity to further connect with the East Bay community. Katya Gerwein, MD, of Bayside Medical Group Alameda said, “Having a booth at the festival helped let people know we’re here, and allowed Stanford Medicine Children’s Health to reinforce its presence in the community.” Nearly 4,000 attendees at the Coast Guard Festival interacted with our pediatricians and received giveaways. Araceli Martinez, site supervisor at Bayside Medical Group Alameda, said, “One of the reasons I joined the medical field was to help children and families smile. Waving at people in the crowd and making children smile with the free goodies was such a pleasure.”