Awarded 2024 Albuquerque Journal’s Reader’s Choice Award
Congratulations to our provider Dr. Rebecca Okun who won in the OB/GYN category of the 2024 Albuquerque Journal Reader's Choice awards!
Online Requests for Appointments
If you’re looking to schedule an annual exam or any other appointment after hours, utilizing online request forms like the one provided by Women’s Specialists of New Mexico can indeed save you time. Online forms allow you to input your information and preferences at your convenience, without needing to wait for business hours to make a phone call. To take advantage of these services: 1. Visit our website at wsnm.org 2. Locate the “Online Request Request" link in the green header at the top of the page. 3. Fill out the required information, including your personal details and preferences regarding the appointment. 4. Submit the form. By doing this, you’re effectively initiating the appointment scheduling process. Typically, the scheduling department will reach out to you on the next business day to confirm your appointment details and finalize scheduling. This way, you can save time and efficiently manage your healthcare appointments. Remember to provide accurate contact information so the scheduling department can easily reach you to confirm the appointment. Additionally, be clear about any specific preferences you may have regarding the healthcare provider you wish to see, if applicable. Online Scheduling Request
Awarded 2021 Top Doc for Obstetrics and Gynecology
2021 Top Doc for Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr Okun was raised in Washington D.C. and graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She has been with WSNM since 1991 and currently serves as the CEO and Medical Director for the practice. Dr Okun practices at the Jefferson Lane office where she is known for her ability to connect with patients, to meet them where they are and, truly listen. She believes in total healthcare, prevention, wellness, and good nutrition which play leading roles in her approach to medicine. Dr Okun has a passion for music. She is an accomplished classical singer and has performed with Opera Southwest and Musical Theater Southwest. Currently Dr. Okun sings with Quintessence, Choral Artists of the Southwest. WSNM congratulates Dr Okun on her award as the 2021 OB-GYN Top Doc.
Awarded 2021 Top Doc for Robotic Surgery
2021 Top Doc for Robotic Surgery Dr Jeanine Valdez practices at the WSNM Westside office on Riverside. Her hometown is Isleta Pueblo and she decided to be a doctor at age 10, following in the footsteps of her parents. Dr Valdez was inspired by the stories her parents shared about caring for community members. Today, she enjoys all aspects of obstetrics and gynecology and has a special interest on minimally invasive surgery. She is well-known for listening and demonstrating compassion to her patients. Some interesting things patients may not know about Dr Valdez is that her first car was a Ford Ranger, she enjoys running, her favorite sports team is the San Antonio Spurs and she makes great fruit popsicles. WSNM congratulates Dr Valdez on her award as the 2021 Top Doc for Robotic Surgery.
A Letter to our BCBS Patients (Update)
A Letter to our BCBS Patients (UPDATE) January 15, 2021 Dear Blue Cross Blue Shield Patients, Women’s Specialists of New Mexico would like to inform you that we have secured a new contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) effective January 1, 2021. We realize that some of you may have left our practice because of the lack of a contract with BCBS. We are sincerely sorry if this has created a disruption in your healthcare. Typically, we get these types of contract disputes resolved before the end of the contract period and in this case that did not happen. We genuinely hope that you will continue to choose Women’s Specialist of New Mexico and its providers as your provider of choice. If you had canceled an appointment or need to set up a new appointment, please contact our Scheduling Department. We would be happy to help. Sincerely, Kathy Teston Executive Director
WSNM Wins Readers’ Choice Award for 2020
On September 27, 2020, the Albuquerque Journal announced that Women’s Specialists of New Mexico is a Reader’s Choice winner in the gynecology category of the 2020 contest. Albuquerque Journal Readers' Choice — now in its 7th year — celebrates the best that Albuquerque and New Mexico have to offer in over 250 different categories of businesses, places and people in the city and state. There are several contenders in each of the category with only one winner. The 2020 contest attracted more than 150,000 votes from Albuquerque and around the State. “The providers at WSNM are thrilled to be recognized as the winner for gynecology care” said Practice Executive, Kathy Teston, “This is truly a special recognition since it comes from our community members. We appreciate voters who value the care and trust our providers for their full range of gynecology care.” At WSNM, patients can choose to be cared for by a physician, midwife, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. The practice offers routine gynecological exams and treatment and advice for vaginitis, contraception, abnormal bleeding, urinary tract infections as well as screening for sexually transmitted diseases.Each year WSNM sees over 25,000 women. Providers believe that helping each woman maintain her gynecological health is an integral part of an overall healthy life.Thank you New Mexico for this wonderful recognition!!
WSNM and COVID-19
WSNM and COVID-19 WSNM and COVID-19 Women’s Specialists of New Mexico is reaching out to our patients with information on our response to the COVID-19 or Novel Coronavirus. If you have an appointment, check in with our front desk, verify your mobile phone number and then go wait in your car. We will call you when it is time for your appointment. We ask that no one accompanies you to this appointment. Please wear a face covering to your appointment. First, for up-to-date information on the developing situation in New Mexico, we are encouraging patients monitor the http://cv.nmhealth.org. Here you will find the latest official information on COVID -19 in New Mexico as well as guidance for self-protection. WSNM is checking this informational site daily and responding with appropriate measures. We are also closely monitoring the New Mexico Department of Health website and the national website of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 webpage daily. Second, we want to remind our patients that we take care of women’s health, providing emergent gynecological visits and prenatal care for pregnant moms. Unlike primary care or internal medicine clinics, we do not treat patients with colds and flu. If you need medical care for these conditions, please seek help from your family practice provider or an urgent care. Our offices are open for scheduled OB-GYN appointments. However, if you have flu like symptoms, please do not come into our office. If you have a non-essential appointment and want [...]
MonaLisa Touch Open House
RSVP for this event MonaLisa Touch - Open House When: Thursday, September 26 from 5:30 - 7:00pm Where: 101 Hospital Loop NE, Albuquerque NM 87109 MonaLisa Touch is a painless and minimally invasive laser treatment for vaginal rejuvenation. By gently acting on tissue of the vaginal mucosa, the laser stimulates the production of collagen, improving the functionality of the treated area and restoring the proper trophic balance to the mucous membrane. Our MonaLisa Touch open house brings women together from throughout New Mexico who wish to learn about how this incredible procedure could change their lives. Get special pricing, hear testimonials and get your questions answered by a WSNM physician.
Ask the Midwife : Genetic Tests
Ask the Midwife Question: I am 8 weeks pregnant with my first baby and just had my new OB visit. I am confused about genetic tests that are offered. Are these required? What do you recommend? How accurate are they? What is the difference between a screening test and a diagnostic test? Will my insurance cover this type testing? Answer: Congratulations on your pregnancy! It is our goal that you feel informed about all of your options during your pregnancy and have the confidence to make the right choices for yourself and your baby. Unlike the basic blood tests that we ask you to get during pregnancy so we can take the best care of you, the genetic tests are not required. We can give you information and guidance but we do not make specific recommendations, as whether or not to have genetic testing is a very personal choice. Genetic tests come in two different categories: screening tests and diagnostic tests. Screening tests can tell you if there is a chance that your baby is affected by specific disorders but not whether it is certain. If a test comes back indicating that there is a higher chance of a problem, further testing must be done to verify whether or not there is actually a problem. Screening tests have different rates of false positive results, depending on the test. Diagnostic tests tell you for sure whether your baby is affected. Diagnostic tests are not [...]
Benefits of a Normal Physiologic Birth
Ask the Midwife - Benefits of a Normal Physiologic Birth Q:I am expecting my first child in October, and I am both excited and scared. What can I do to have the best outcome for myself and my baby, and decrease the chance of interventions such as c-section? A:Congratulations! Our goal is to support you in having the birth you want, with a happy and healthy outcome for mom and baby. First, let’s review normal birth. This process includes labor, childbirth and the immediate postpartum period. Normal birth begins on its own, results in vaginal birth, and the mother and baby remain together after birth, with the baby skin to skin. When labor begins spontaneously, hormones are released that help your body contract effectively and help you cope with pain. There is less of a chance that you will need a vacuum delivery or a cesarean. The hormones of labor also help your baby transition to life outside the womb, including maintaining a normal body temperature and respirations. Benefits of a normal birth process include better health for mom and baby, successful adjustment to life outside the womb, emotional satisfaction with the process and being able to cope well with the transition to motherhood. It is important to give birth in an environment that feels private and comfortable, with the right support people present. Some women hire a doula for one on one support. Others have family members present. Only you can decide who you need for emotional support [...]