Loretta Cordova de Ortega, MD

Biography

Dr. Cordova de Ortega is the John D. Johnson Endowed Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and a Professor of Pediatrics. She is a General Pediatrician and has devoted the majority of her practice to children with special health care needs, chronic medical conditions and Spanish speaking families.

A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dr. Cordova de Ortega received her bachelor's degrees in Human Biology and Spanish from Stanford University and her M.D. from the University of New Mexico School Of Medicine. She completed her residency at the UCLA Medical Center before returning to New Mexico to join the faculty in the Department of Pediatrics in 1991.

Dr. Cordova de Ortega has served at UNM as the Medical Director of all pediatric general and specialty ambulatory clinics, Chief of Clinical Operations and Vice Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. She has served on numerous department, hospital and Health Sciences Center committees and leadership positions. Within the School of Medicine, she is the co-chair of the Minority Women in Medicine Committee and is a member of the selection committee for the BA/MD Program.

Dr. Cordova de Ortega served as interim chair from 2006-2008 and has been the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics since 2008. She has assisted the School of Medicine in making great strides to promoting and supporting pediatric research, and has worked to strengthen all of the department's clinical and academic programs.

Personal Statement

As a member of the department of pediatrics at the University of New Mexico since 1991, I have had the opportunity to mentor numerous faculty. I served to facilitate and promote all the junior general pediatricians from staff to faculty status in the clinician educator tract. This faculty status has enabled the general pediatricians to provide opportunities for medical student and resident education as well to enhance the professional advancement of our faculty. As the first Hispanic female promoted to Professor in the CE tract at the University of New Mexico, I have had the unique distinction of mentoring and advising other underrepresented faculty to pursue career advancement within the institution.

I am the first Hispanic female department chair in the UNM School of Medicine as well as one of the first nationally in the leadership of Pediatric Department Chairs. My role as Chair is to assure faculty are mentored and afforded the opportunity for advancement. As a general pediatrician my practice focuses on children with special healthcare needs and underserved populations. I have participated in a number of QI projects within the institution and I am poised to mentor other faculty to implement provisions related to Children's Health Care quality. Our department strives to advance effective, efficient, team based coordinated health care for our greater community while promoting Academic excellence.

Education

Medical School
1987
University of New Mexico

Internship
Pediatrics
1989
University of California - Los Angeles

Residency
Pediatrics
1991
University of California - Los Angeles

Certification

Gender

Female