Personal Statement
I joined the team at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2008 which has allowed me to expand my gynecologic oncology clinical practice and clinical research interests. My main research focus is in cancer survivorship and cancer care delivery. I have the training, experience, and leadership that will be necessary to have this project succeed.
I have successfully worked with multiple members of this research team in the past with our collaboration with our New Mexico Center for Advancement of Research, Engagement & Science on Health Disparities (NM CARES HD) center, entitled Participatory Research to Reduce Health Disparities by Addressing the Unmet Needs of Hispanic and Rural, Underserved Endometrial Cancer Survivors. This work has provided valuable insight into cancer survivor and primary care provider perspectives on caring for cancer survivors in rural and underserved populations. This research achievement has provided guidance and has laid the groundwork for the proposed research in this current project.
I have also worked in other areas of cancer survivorship research with an institutional American Cancer Society grant to study urinary incontinence intervention in gynecologic cancer survivors. Based on my efforts and successes, I was promoted to Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of New Mexico in 2020. I have focused my career in academic gynecologic oncology on clinical trials in gynecologic cancers and cancer survivorship issues.
I have served as the institutional PI for several clinical trials at the UNM Cancer Center and consistently accrue patients to our clinical trial menu. My success as a clinical investigator and active member of the Gynecologic Cancer Clinical Working Group is now evolving into regional and national leadership positions. I was awarded funding for our Cancer Center’s 2014 NCI Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award (CCITLA). I serve in numerous leadership roles including the Director of the Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee for the UNM Cancer Center. The PRMC is the scientific body that reviews all cancer clinical trials for the UNMCCC and its community affiliates.
Education
Medical School: Texas A&M University College of Medicine (1993)
Residency: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (1997), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Fellowship: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (2001), Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Achievements & Awards
Board Certification:
- American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2005)
- American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology (2004)
- American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2001)