The University of New Mexico residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology exists to recruit, mentor and retain a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce of outstanding providers to practice the full scope of complex obstetric and gynecologic care for a culturally diverse, underserved and rural patient population including historically made marginalized peoples. We desire to train providers who intend to give dignifying care to patients that reflect New Mexico’s patient population as a lifelong pursuit. We continue to grow in our efforts to recruit diverse talents and strive to create just educational and clinical environments that will shape leaders in the field of OB/Gyn. We aspire for these leaders to demonstrate commitment to social responsibility and health equity while maintaining clinical excellence and the creative pursuit of scientific knowledge.
In order to best achieve our mission, our training program prepares graduates to:
-Independently perform the full range of gynecologic surgery, including vaginal, laparoscopic, and robotic procedures.
-Manage complex obstetrical patients, especially with insight into the unique challenges of a large, rural catchment area with diverse consultation and referral needs.
-Provide culturally competent care to patients in the minority-majority state of New Mexico.
-Effectively advocate for improved healthcare for underserved and underrepresented patient populations.
-Pursue the advancement of scientific knowledge through scholarly activity and dissemination of their work.
-Invest in the pursuit of excellence in OB/Gyn through local, regional and national leadership.
-Develop a commitment to life-long learning and evidence-based practice throughout their career.
-Value teaching and mentorship and demonstrate a commitment to an equitable learning environment that fosters all learners
Alana Carstens Yalom, MD
I am California-raised, Louisiana-trained, and thrilled to start the next phase of my medical journey exploring the Southwest. I am passionate about reproductive justice, reproductive psychiatry, and public health interventions and look forward to learning to incorporate these into my ObGyn practice. When I’m not working or studying you can find me exploring the outdoors, on the dance floor, hosting dinner parties or clothing swaps, writing, baking my secret chocolate chip cookie recipe, or brainstorming Mardi Gras costumes.
Matthew Davoudzadeh, MD
Hi! I am originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I was drawn to Ob/Gyn by the realization that there are widespread struggles in accessing care, and when women can advocate for themselves, they lift the communities around them. My future goals are to pursue a Family Planning fellowship, or practice General Ob/Gyn. I love music (have been to well over 100 individual shows), the outdoors, and cooking!
Paula Delgado, MD
Hi! I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised just north of Atlanta, Georgia. I am ecstatic and so thankful for the opportunity to be in the Land of Enchantment for training. I love Ob-Gyn because it's a field that offers the ability to follow patients through a wide spectrum of their life, the ability to empower women through education and health, and by extension, positively impact entire families. In the future, I see myself serving underserved/underrepresented communities and helping to improve healthcare disparities- this is something I am very passionate about. Things that make me happy include: spending time with family, hiking, gardening, eating, and keeping active to balance my love for food.
Emmeline Friedman, MD
I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. Before coming to New Mexico, I lived in New York City and went to medical school at Mount Sinai. I chose Obstetrics and Gynecology because of the diverse set of skills it offers to support women and gender minorities throughout their lifespan in complex ways. I'm especially interested in supporting people in their reproductive desires, managing gynecologic cancers, and family planning. Some of my interests include anti-racist healthcare, prison abolition as well as healthcare for women experiencing incarceration, reproductive justice, the practice of medicine in solidarity with marginalized communities, and community building. I love to learn new things. I also like house dance, surfing, and being outside.
Fleur Mak, MD
I grew up and went to medical school in Ghent, Belgium. I am excited to provide care for the women of New Mexico and combine advocacy, primary care and surgery! When not at work, I love exploring New Mexico’s wilderness and can be found running, climbing, hiking or camping with my husband and our new puppy.
Maria Ramirez-Cruz
I was born in Bogota, Colombia and arrived in the U.S. at the age of 11 with my family. I am a military wife and stepmother to a wonderful 12-year-old boy, and as a family we love to go hiking in the beautiful New Mexico mountains. Growing up, I experienced firsthand some of the disparities my community faced and saw the strength of individuals within those communities, particularly of women. I am driven to help empower those whose voices are often not heard, to serve as a mentor for underrepresented minorities, and to advocate for women’s rights and health.
Diana Rascon, MD
I grew up mostly in San Antonio, Texas. Before medical school, I worked as a radiation therapist delivering cancer treatments. I went into OBGYN because I love building relationships with patients, being in the OR, and delivering babies! I am passionate about women’s health, improving health literacy, overcoming socioeconomic barriers, and patient advocacy. During my free time I enjoy going out, spending time with my family and friends, being outdoors, gardening, and lots of other random hobbies! I’m looking forward to working with the diverse population in New Mexico.
Fabiola Miranda, MD
I was born in Lima, Peru, but my family is from Cusco. I grew up in Los Angeles, CA, went to college at
Emory in Atlanta, GA and FIU medical school in Miami, FL. I am THRILLED to be in Albuquerque, NM I am in awe of its beauty! I feel that Ob/ Gyn chose me. I love the mix of surgery and continuity of care. I feel
honored to care for the female patient population. I want to fight for women's healthcare needs and serve as a culturally competent healthcare provider. I am interested in high risk obstetrics, preventive care in oncology, and pursuing a fellowship. I love running, tennis, cooking, dancing, reading, spending time with my family, and annoying my cat.
Jessica Rodriguez Hernandez, MD
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico ( una Boricua del oeste !). I am passionate about women’s health and empowerment, diversity in medicine, mental health, and healthcare equity for underserved communities. I chose Ob/ Gyn because it is the perfect combination of preventive medicine, continuity of care, surgical procedures, and active lifestyle. I enjoy going to the beach and spending time with friends and loved ones. Two fun facts about me: I saw snow for the first time in my late twenties, and I will immediately try to pet a cat when I see one. I am thrilled to be joining UNM for my residency training and very excited to meet the whole team in June.
Martin Jurado, MD
Originally from Durango, Mexico and raised in Belen, New Mexico, I am thrilled to continue my training here at home. Having grown up around many Tías (Aunts in Spanish), I learned the importance of womens health at an early age and while in medical school, I realized the impact women have on society and their communities Therefore, I came to the conclusion that the field of OB/GYN, would allow me to incorporate aspects primary care, patient advocacy, and surgical skills to provide care to all women When I am not at the hospital, you can usually catch me at the gym, snowboarding, mountain biking, training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or video gaming.
Mingma Sherpa, MD
I was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal and moved to NM at the age of 18 for my undergraduate studies. I attended medical school at UNM, and I am beyond excited to continue my training here. I am passionate about reproductive justice, and social determinants of health; I hope to work in a rural community in the future. In my free time I love visiting national parks, hiking, going on long walks with my dog, Phuchu, watching movies, and knitting.
Raymundo Bustos, MD
I am from Rome, Georgia As of now my future professional interest is working in a rural setting and working with underserved communities Some of my new hobbies I have been getting into is herping the study of reptiles and amphibians, and hunting Fun fact about me is that I am very interested in learning the International UFO Museum in Roswell, NM.
Ammarilis Camacho-Quinones, MD
I am from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. I decided to become an Ob/Gyn because I am very passionate on working in women's health, a field where there is both primary care and surgical procedures. I love spending time with family, friends and my beautiful doggie daughters. I am super excited to start as an Intern in UNM and I am very grateful to be here.
Karen Castaneda, MD
I grew up in the El Paso-Juarez border. I chose Ob/Gyn because it is a specialty where you get to be an expert in women’s health but also get a lot of variety. It allows me to work with underserved communities similar to the one I grew up in, practice primary care, perform procedures and surgeries, welcome babies into the world, participate in research and public health, and be an advocate for women. UNM provides opportunities to meet all my interests and I am really excited to be training here. A fun fact about me is that I can eat chocolate every day. I also like painting, gardening, running, napping, taking my dog on walks, and binge-watching TV shows.
Juliete Durstock-Castillo, MD
I grew up mostly in El Paso, TX, but I also lived in North Carolina as a child and went to UNC for medical school. I was drawn to OBGYN because of the combination of primary care, surgery, and procedures and the ability to be with patients during the highs and lows of their lives. I’m passionate about Addiction Medicine, working with underserved communities, and palliative care. In my free time, I love exploring new restaurants and breweries, or watching my favorite tv shows and crocheting with my husband and cat.
Hannah Dowdy-Sue, MD
Growing up in Albuquerque has inspired me in so many ways! After attending UNM for undergrad and medical school, I am beyond proud to continue my medical journey as an OB/Gyn here in New Mexico. I am passionate about reproductive justice and equality, using my voice to advocate for the rights of others and creating long-lasting connections within the communities I serve. Outside of work, I enjoy supporting my partner in his biking endeavors, gardening, relaxing with my rabbits and, recently, my new-found hobby of carding and spinning wool into yarn.
Destine Marquez, MD
I am Destinie Marquez (she/her) an Afro-Latina from Roswell, NM. I have wanted to become a doctor for as long as I can remember and fell in love with women’s health along the way. It is such an honor to be there for women, men, families, and the LGBTQ+ community at such special, momentous times in their lives. I have an interest in maternal fetal medicine and family planning as potential fellowship pursuits as well as a special interest in Black maternal health. Some of my hobbies include painting, traveling/exploring, going for walks with my dog, and trying out new coffee shops.
Valeria Pereira, MD
I was born in Puerto Rico and lived in Florida since I was eleven years old. I am passionate about serving the underserved, addressing health disparities, and academic medicine. I also have a passion for creating a safe space in healthcare for those in the LGBTQIA+ community. My hobbies include discovering local coffee shops and restaurants, karaoke, and listening to audio books. A fun fact about myself is that I am a mom to a dog and three cats.
Chloe Fournier-Hall:
I was born and raised in Albuquerque and I am thrilled to be home for Ob/Gyn residency! I went to college at Princeton, where I majored in Religion and Creative Writing, and I got my MD-MPH at the University of Chicago, where I learned to dress for Midwest winters and swam all summer in Lake Michigan. Between undergrad and med school, I spent several years in Indonesia, Santa Fe (where I worked as a bilingual community sex educator), and the Philadelphia suburbs, where I completed a post-bac at Bryn Mawr College. I decided to train at UNM because I love Albuquerque, the warm and supportive culture of our program, the opportunities for full-spectrum training including abortion care, and our amazing patient population that comes to us from all over the Southwest. I'm also grateful to be closer to my family, including my nieces (4 and 7). My interests within Ob/Gyn include family planning, substance use disorders in pregnancy, and Indigenous maternal and gynecological health. Outside of work, you can find me walking or biking in the Bosque (my husband and I live in the North Valley, in the neighborhood where I grew up), roasting a chicken, reading a novel, or soaking in one of NM's many delightful hot springs."
Kenzie Corbin
Hi everyone, my name is C. Kenzie Corbin and I’m super grateful to be an OB/GYN resident here at UNM.
I originally grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and then went to Lafayette College in Easton, PA for undergrad where I did a dual-degree in Neuroscience and French with a minor in bioengineering. After graduation I worked as an English Teaching Assistant in Lille, France. I then moved back to the midwest for medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I became passionate about medical trainee mental health and wellbeing and the intersection of mental illness and substance use in pregnancy. I chose OB/GYN as it allowed for great continuity of care with patients and incorporated both surgical and clinic-based work. I fell in love with the southwestern culture after doing an away rotation and knew that UNM would be the perfect fit and was ecstatic to match at my number 1 choice! In my free time I enjoy rock climbing, yoga, everything Peloton, going on hikes with my partner and our chihuahua-cattle dog Munchie, and talking about chakras and crystals.
Jessica Benally
Yá’át’ééh, I am a member of the Diné (Navajo) Nation and was raised in a small community north of Gallup, NM, called Rocksprings. After graduating from UNM medical school, I chose UNM OB-GYN because I wanted a specialty that combined primary care, surgery and the ability to advocate for reproductive rights for underserved and rural communities. UNM also serves a culturally diverse and medically complicated population that includes more than 20 Native American tribes. At this time, I am interested in Maternal Fetal Medicine and Indigenous Health and enjoy growing my plant collection, watching the Mindy Project with my daughter and visiting the Gallup flea market on weekends off.
Connie Cardona, MD
Traci Scott, MD
Shana Vorenberg, MD
UNM Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency
Learn more about our Residency in this video.
Questions about how to get started? Reach out to the UNM Ob/Gyn Residency Program office.
Nicholas Andrews, MD
Program Director
Amber Truehart, MD
Associate Program Director