ALBUQUERQUE – June 28, 2023 – Lovelace Women’s Hospital is the first hospital in New Mexico to achieve four Center of Excellence Accreditations from Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), including accreditation as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Surgery and re-accreditation as a Center of Excellence in Hernia Surgery, Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology and a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery.
As an accredited facility, Lovelace Women’s Hospital has met nationally and internationally recognized standards for providing the highest quality of care and patient safety. The following surgeons are accredited by SRC as Master Surgeons and Surgeons of Excellence in their respective specialties:
Master Surgeons in Hernia Surgery
- Michael Blea, M.D.
- Mario J. Leyba, M.D.
Master Surgeons in Robotic Surgery
- Michael Blea, M.D
- Karen Ann Finkelstein, M.D.
- Mario J. Leyba, M.D.
- Luis Alfonso Padilla-Paz, M.D.
- Joel Webb, M.D.
- Ketura Wisner, D.O.
Master Surgeons in Minimally Invasive Gynecology
- Karen Ann Finkelstein, M.D.
- Luis Alfonso Padilla-Paz, M.D.
- Jeanine Valdez, M.D.
Surgeons of Excellence in Hernia Surgery
- Michael Blea, M.D.
- Karen Ann Finkelstein, M.D.
- Mario J. Leyba, M.D.
- Luis Alfonso Padilla-Paz, M.D.
- Ketura Wisner, D.O.
Surgeons of Excellence in Robotic Surgery
- Michael Blea, M.D
- Mario J. Leyba, M.D.
Surgeons of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology
- Karen Ann Finkelstein, M.D.
- Luis Alfonso Padilla-Paz, M.D.
- Joel Teicher, M.D.
- Joel Webb, M.D.
- Jeanine Valdez, M.D.
- Ketura Wisner, D.O.
- James P. Wurzel, M.D.
Surgeons of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Michael Blea, M.D
- Karen Ann Finkelstein, M.D.
- Mario J. Leyba, M.D.
- Luis Alfonso Padilla-Paz, M.D.
- Joel Teicher, M.D.
- Joel Webb, M.D.
- Jeanine Valdez, M.D.
- Ketura Wisner, D.O.
- James P. Wurzel, M.D.
“I am very proud of the work and dedication of our surgeons and surgical staff to become a Center of Excellence,” said Amy Blasing, Lovelace Women’s Hospital chief executive officer. “These accreditations should give our community confidence that our hospital is committed to excellence and to providing each of our patients the highest quality of care possible.”
Healthcare facilities and surgeons seeking an SRC accreditation undergo an extensive assessment and inspection process to ensure the applicant meets SRC’s proven standards and requirements. These requirements include surgical volumes, facility equipment, clinical pathways and standardized operating procedures, an emphasis on patient education and continuous quality assessment. The inspection involves all staff working with the surgeon in the accredited program. Inspectors educate staff on best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.
To schedule an appointment with a Lovelace master surgeon call 505.727.2727 or visit lovelace.com to learn more.
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Contact:
Whitney Marquez, Lovelace Health System
Phone: 505.903.0367
Lovelace Women’s Hospital
Lovelace Women’s Hospital (LWH) is the first and only hospital in New Mexico dedicated to women’s health. It offers a 53-bed neonatal intensive care unit, a natural birthing option, a nationally recognized, award-winning breast care center and birthing center, and the first robotic surgery program in the state recognized as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by Surgical Review Corporation; recently completing its 9,000 robotic procedure. LWH earned three Women’s Choice Awards® for 2022, including recognition as one of America’s Best Breast Center, a Best Hospital for Obstetrics, Best Hospital for Comprehensive Breast Care and a Best Mammogram Imaging Center. Its Family Birthing Center earned international recognition as a Baby-Friendly® designated facility for offering an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Lovelace Women’s Hospital was recently named to The 2022 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by Money and the Leapfrog Group for its quality and safe maternity care, as well as carrying an A or B letter grade on the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assessment for spring 2022. Money and the Leapfrog Group named LWH to their list for 2022 Best Hospitals and Surgery Centers for Billing Ethics, showing its dedication to delivering the highest quality of care for patients, while ensuring adherence to the maximum ethical standards for billing. To learn more about the state-of-the-art treatment options, innovative health care providers and award-winning quality initiatives at Lovelace Women’s Hospital, visit lovelace.com.