Faculty
John Andazola, MD
Designated Institutional Officer (DIO)
John Andazola, MD, FAAFP was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico where he attended New Mexico State University. He received his MD from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in 1997, and completed his residency at the Southern New Mexico Family Medicine Residency program in 2000. Dr. Andazola completed a fellowship in Advanced Hospital Training for Family Physicians in Phoenix, AZ, and a Faculty Development Fellowship at the University of Arizona from 2001-2003. After completing the fellowships, Dr. Andazola joined the fellowship faculty and later became… Read More »
Leandrita Ortega, MD
Site Director, Family Medicine
Dr. Ortega was raised in Santa Fe, NM, and graduated from Santa Fe High School. It was during her freshman biology class that she had an epiphany about her future plans and from then on, knew she would pursue a career in medicine. After completing her undergraduate training at Mount Saint Mary’s College in Los Angeles, CA, with a major in biology and a minor in psychology, she spent two years testing software being used as part of the Human Genome Project before being admitted to the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in 1998… Read More »
Kimiko Sugimoto Blair, MD
General Surgery
Dr. Kimiko Sugimoto Blair is a member of the Family Medicine Residency faculty at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. Sugimoto is Board Certified in general surgery. She studied medicine at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and completed her residency in General Surgery at Synergy Medical Education Alliance of Michigan State University… Read More »
Joan Bryant, DO
Pediatrics
Dr. Joan Bryant is a member of the Family Medicine Residency faculty at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. Bryant is a board-certified General Pediatrician. She joins the Pediatrics clinic from El Paso, Texas, and received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the University of California San Diego. Her DO at the A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri… Read More »
Joshua Cerna, PA
Emergency Medicine
Andrew Christensen, MD
General Surgery
Dr. Andrew Christensen is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. Christensen received his medical degree from The University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah. He completed his residency in general surgery in 2022 at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Christensen participated in the rural community residency rotation at CHRISTUS Health where he trained with members of the CHRISTUS Health surgical team… Read More »
James Dumont, MD
General Surgery
Dr. James Dumont is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. Dumont is Board Certified in general surgery. He received a Ph.D. in Biology from Stanford University and completed his surgical residency at the Medical Center of Delaware in 1995. Dr. Dumont was a member of the surgical staff at Winchester Surgical Clinic in Virginia for over 20 years… Read More »
Jeremiah Duncan, DO
Behavioral Medicine
Dr. Jeremiah Duncan is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. Duncan is joining the Behavioral Medicine team at CHRISTUS Health. Dr. Duncan completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center in June 2022. He received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in 2018… Read More »
Alfredo Gurmendi, MD
General Surgery
Dr. Alfredo Gurmendi is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. Alfredo Gurmendi is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He studied medicine at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and completed his residency in General Surgery at the Texas Medical Center. Much of that residency was spent at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center…. Read More »
Andrew Lancaster, MD
Endocrinology and Diabetes Care
Karen LeComte, MD
Neurology
Dr. Karen LeComte is a member of the Family Medicine Residency faculty at CHRISTUS Health (CHRISTUS Health).
Dr. Karen LeComte is a board-certified neurologist with 14 years of practice. Dr. Lecomte graduated from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed her Neurology residency at Fletcher Allen Healthcare at UVMCOM. She provides comprehensive adult neurological care in all areas, including headache, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, movement disorders, MD, dementia, concussion, and stroke…. Read More »
John McAndrew, MD, FACOG
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. John McAndrew is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. John McAndrew is a board-certified OB-GYN who has been practicing for over 30 years. He practices a full range of obstetric care, family planning, OB/GYN ultrasound, and gynecologic surgery. Special clinical expertise includes laparoscopy and colposcopy. He obtained his medical degree from…. Read More »
Nikhil Mehta, MD
Emergency Medicine
Fatma Midani, MD
Pathology
Garett Miller, MD
Emergency Medicine
Andrew Pike, MD
Orthopedics/Sports Medicine
Dr. Andrew Pike is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr Andrew Pike is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. He is a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado and obtained his medical degree from Georgetown University. Dr. Pike completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago and a fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine… Read More »
William Pollard, MD
General Surgery
Dr. William Pollard is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. Pollard is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. He completed his residency at Oregon Health Sciences University in 2000. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Pollard has practiced in Alamogordo since 2004. Dr. Pollard is the Medical Director of the Trauma Center and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for CHRISTUS Health… Read More »
Amber Quiñones, MD
Pediatrics
Dr. Amber Quiñones is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. Quiñones is a New Mexico native, born and raised in Las Cruces. She is excited to now serve the communities of Southern NM. She brings her experience of caring for well and sick children both in the primary care and acute setting from training at a well-recognized and awarded Children’s Hospital in the Southwest. Dr. Quiñones specializes in the health and well-being of all ages from newborn to 18… Read More »
Charles Race, MD
Orthopedics
Dr. Charles Race is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health (CHRISTUS Health).
Dr. Charles Race is a board-certified general orthopedic surgeon who has been practicing for 25 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from Trinity University, master’s degree from the University of Texas, and medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, Georgetown University. Dr Race completed… Read More »
O. Alexa Reyes, MD
Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
Dr. Alexa Reyes is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. Reyes completed her Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship in June 2022 at BronxCare Health System in Bronx, New York. Dr. Reyes completed her medical degree in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She participated in numerous case reports and presentations during her professional training… Read More »
Ruthven Sampath, MD
Gynecology
Dr. Ruthven Sampath is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. Sampath is a highly talented and experienced physician with more than 40 years of experience in hospital, clinic, and teaching settings. He is licensed in the state of New Mexico in Obstetrics/Gynecology. Dr. Sampath can establish a strong rapport with patients, their families, clinical students and faculty. He is also fluent in Spanish… Read More »
Scott Shin, DO, FACOG
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. Scott Shin is a Family Medicine Residency faculty member at CHRISTUS Health.
Dr. Scott Shin is a board-certified OB-GYN who has been practicing for 20 years. He practices a full range of obstetric care. In addition to labor and delivery, he provides comprehensive prenatal care, including high-risk obstetrics, and also specializes in laparoscopic surgeries, hysteroscopic surgeries, and… Read More »
Petar Turcinovic, MD
General Surgery
Jana McBurney, CNP
Nurse Practitioner, Family Medicine
Ms. Jana McBurney is part of the Family Medicine Residency clinical staff at CHRISTUS Health.
Ms. McBurney is an accomplished nurse practitioner with over 20 years of healthcare experience. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Michigan State University and then earned her Master of Science degree at Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, graduating in the top 1% of her class… Read More »
Fatima Villa
Certified Medical Assistant
Fatima Villa brings to CHRISTUS Health 18 years of knowledge and experience in a healthcare setting. Her prior experience includes working as a CNA and Medication Aide at several nursing homes in Southern New Mexico. She became a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) at Champion Family Medicine in March 2019.
A New Mexico native and experienced healthcare professional, Ms. Villa is passionate about helping others find their way of life and giving back to those in need.
Administrative Staff
Delaney Ham, BA
Residency Program Manager
Delaney attended the University of New Mexico, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Journalism. Born and raised in Alamogordo, Delaney is thrilled to have the opportunity to help out her home community through Family Medicine and the Residency Program.
