Darrick Nelson, M. D.   Chief Medical Officer

Originally from a small mining town in Arizona and a U. S. Army Veteran Dr. Nelson and his family recently moved to Silver City from Corpus Christi, Texas. Dr. Nelson obtained his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.

Prior to joining HMS Dr. Nelson was an assistant professor and core faculty member at Corpus Christi Family Practice Residency Program affiliated with Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Department of Family and Community Medicine where he was responsible for the training and supervision of residents in outpatient clinics, inpatient hospital, intensive care unit, newborn nursery, labor and delivery, including c-sections, high risk obstetrics, nursing home and indigent care.

Dr. Nelson completed a fellowship medical informatics and was physician liaison for implementation of electronic clinical documentation system with CHRISTUS Spohn Shorline Hospital.

Dr. Nelson has competed internationally on the U.S. Modern Pentathlon Team. He served in the U.S. Army for six years in Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

In 2005 he was awarded the Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems excellence in applied informatics.

In 2005 and 2007 he was awarded the faculty physician of the year, Corpus Christi Family Practice Residency Program.

Dr. Donald Johnson, MD,

Dr. Donald Johnson, MD joined Hidalgo Medical Services in August 2005 as a pediatric physician. Prior to joining HMS, Dr. Johnson practiced nine years as a private physician with Gila Pediatrics. In addition to his distinguished career as a private physician, Dr. Johnson has served as the Chief of Pediatrics at Gila Regional Medical Center, Chief of Pediatrics at Borgess Medical Center and Pediatric Coordinator for the Southwestern Michigan Area Health Education Center.

Dr. Johnson is a member of the Michigan State Medical Society, the New Mexico Medical Society, and the New Mexico Pediatric Society. Dr. Johnson is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a Diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. Johnson has held teaching appointments as a lecturer in Pediatrics with Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston Massachusetts. Dr. Johnson has been an Assistant Clinical Professor Department of Human Development at Michigan State University and Adjunct Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Western Michigan University. Dr. Johnson received his doctorate of medicine from Northwestern Medical School.

 Dr.  Naomi Clancy, M.D .    

Naomi Clancy, M.D., is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Board Certified Family Physician practicing the full spectrum of family medicine with emphasis on women’s health, obstetrics and pediatrics, and rheumatology.  Dr. Clancy was raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, received both her B.S. and her M.D. degrees from the University of New Mexico, graduating magna cum laude.  She completed her residency at Providence St. Peter Family Practice Residency Program in Olympia, WA focusing on rural health and obstetrical care, and received the program’s Family Centered Maternity Care Award upon graduation.

 Prior to coming to Silver City, Dr. Clancy practiced four years in Socorro, NM, as primary care physician and was on staff at Socorro General Hospital serving as family physician, hospitalist, Chair of the Medical Committee, member of Perinatal and Pediatric Committee, and a charter member of the Fetal Well-Being Committee.   Since joining HMS, Dr. Clancy has worked extensively with the UNM Rheumatology ECHO Program, resulting in HMS-Bayard being named a Center of Excellence in Rheumatology by the University of New Mexico.  Her work with the ECHO program has been featured by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on their website.  She is on staff at Gila Regional Medical Center and serves on the perinatal and credentials committees.

Dr. Clancy, her husband, Raphael, a native New Mexican, and their three young sons enjoy gardening, hiking, camping, and keeping up with their many farm animals.

 Dr. Michelle Pahl. M.D.

      Dr. Pahl is member of the HMS team. She specializes in the care of infants, children, adolescents and adults. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians.  Dr. Pahl is Board certified in both Pediatrics and Internal Medicine.

Dr. Pahl grew up in Illinois and received a bachelor's degree in fine art photography from Columbia College in Chicago. She then worked in the field of commercial art in Chicago, New York City and Portland, Maine. Opting for a change in career paths, she pursued entry to medical school by first fulfilling the prerequisites at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. She was accepted to University of Vermont College of Medicine in 2001 and was also awarded the National Health Service Corps Scholarship. She completed her combined internal medicine and pediatric residency at Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Pahl currently lives in Silver City and is enjoying getting to know all that the area has to offer. An avid hiker prior to medical school, she is looking forward to exploring the natural beauty of the Gila region and spending time with her dogs.

 Dr. Forrest Eugene Henry, D.O. 

Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Forrest Henry, Board Certified Family Practice Physician  to the professional medical staff, practicing in the HMS Lordsburg Clinic.   Dr. Henry graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his Family Practice Residency through Clarion Hospital, in Clarion Pennsylvania where he served as the Chief Resident. Upon completion of residency he served as the Chief of the Family Practice Department of Clarion Hospital. Dr. Henry and his family moved to Silver City, NM in 2007 and he joined Southwest Family Medicine practice.  Prior to coming to Silver City Dr. Henry practiced Family Medicine in Brookville and Foxburg, Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Henry served in the US Army as a General Medical Officer stationed in Bad Kreuanach, Germany for four and half years.  His achievements include:

Medical Officer on a medical mission to Nigeria in 2008, Board of Directors, Soul Caring Outreach Inc. 2008 to present, IPA Board 2007 to present, Board of Directors Clarion Forrest Visiting Nurse Association 2001 to 2004,  Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board from 2001 to 2004       .

Dr. Irma Mariana Santiago, M. D.

Dr. Irma Mariana Santiago completed her medical school education and Family Medicine residency training at the University of New Mexico. She joined HMS in August 2012, where she is engaged in a full scope practice, including OB.  She is originally from Puerto Rico.  She is fully bilingual in Spanish and English.

Dr. Jonathan Jones, D.O.

Dr. Dr. Jones is a Bi-lingual (English/Spanish)  Board Certified Pediatrician.  Originally from Mesa, Arizona Dr. Jones and his family recently moved to the area.  He graduated in the top 10 of his class from Midwestern University-Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale Arizona.   Dr. Jones completed his Pediatric Residency Program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital/Maricopa Medical Center.  Prior to joining HMS Dr. Jones was in practice for five years with Gilbert Pediatrics  

 Dr.   Dr. DrDrDDD DJoanne Cardinal, MD  

Dr. Joanne Cardinal a board certified Family Practice physician recently moved from Wyoming to the area and joined Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS).  Dr. Cardinal graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and then completed a three year residency program of the University of Wyoming in Family Practice.  Dr. Cardinal stated that she wanted a community based family practice program where she learned real medicine.  Prior to joining HMS Dr. Cardinal has been in solo practice in Wyoming since 1985.  Her special interests are sports medicine, preventive health and fitness.  Dr. Cardinal enjoys crafts, guitar, bicycling, horses and backpacking.  She and her husband Ralph are at home in Silver City.

Dr. Kristan Diaz-Rios, M.D.

Dr. Kristan Diaz-Rios is a family practice physician who graduated from Brown University’s Warren Alpert School of Medicine and completed her Family Practice Residency and Obstetrics Fellowship through Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi, Tx. She has a special interest in Women’s health and Adolescent medicine, however highly enjoys the full spectrum of patients that Family Practice has to offer.

Kristan and her husband Dr. Rick Rios, D.C. both moved to Silver City in October 2012 and are happy to join the HMS & Silver City community.

Kristan enjoys golfing, running and exploring New Mexico with her husband and miniature schnauzer.

Dr. Rick Rios Jr., D.C.

Dr. Rick Rios is a Chiropractic Provider.  He graduated from the University of Texas Pan American in 2003 with a bachelor degree in Biology and Chemistry.  He then received his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Parker College of Chiropractic in 2007.  He moved to Corpus Christi and joined  Armadillo Sports Chiropractic where he focused on sports therapy and rehab. He worked closely with the TAMU Corpus Christi athletes as well as many other events in the community.  In 2009 he moved to San Antonio and joined Airrosti Rehab Center, where he worked with a wide spectrum of patients.

In October 2012 Dr. Rios and his wife Dr. Kristan Diaz-Rios moved to Silver City and joined the HMS community. 

Rick enjoys hunting, fishing and golfing with his wife.

 Jennifer White, FNP, CNM  Clinical Information Officer/Assistant Medical Director

Jennifer White is a Family Nurse Practitioner as well as a Certified Nurse Midwife. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 2001. She went on to attend Vanderbilt University’s dual program in Nurse Midwifery and Family Nurse Practitioner in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2005, she earned her degree from Vanderbilt University as a Nurse Midwife and Family Nurse Practitioner.

Jennifer has practiced in at a birth center in Texas, and most recently in a large public health hospital in Denver, Colorado, before relocating to Silver City. She has delivered over 300 bouncing babies and enjoys working at Hidalgo Medical Services where she can provide care for the whole family- not just the moms and babies. Born and raised in Mississippi, Jennifer enjoys music, especially the blues. She sings and plays guitar in her free time. Happy to be here in Silver City, she also enjoys hiking, biking and seeing the sights in New Mexico.

Marlene Baska, PA-C

Marlene Baska joined Hidalgo Medical Services as a Physician Assistant specializing in Family Practice at the Cobre Health Center in February 2004. She has been a physician assistant since 1988, working in Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska, and Oregon. Marlene’s educational background includes a registered nursing degree from Lane Community College, in Oregon and certification as a physician assistant from the University Of Utah School Of Medicine.

Meredith Heidenfeld, PA-C

Meredith Heidenfeld joined the staff at Hidalgo Medical Services Med Square Clinic as a Physician Assistant in May 2004, specializing in Family Practice. Meredith has thirteen years prior experience as a physician assistant including family practices in New York, Ohio, and Arkansas. She received her BS degree as a Physician Assistant from State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Jill Steidl, PA-C

Jill Steidl received her BS and Physician Assistant Certification from King’s College in Pennsylvania, where she was awarded Magna Cum Laude for academic and clinical excellence. She came to New Mexico in March 2004 and has practiced at the HMS Med Square clinic and Cliff/Gila Clinic for the last year, where she has provided care in the specialty area of family practice. Prior to that, she practiced family medicine in Pennsylvania.

Shauna McCosh, FNP, CNM

Shauna McCosh is a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). She grew up in Tucson, Arizona and then completed her BA at New York University in Spanish and Political Science. During that time she studied in Madrid, Spain and Washington, DC. After graduation, she worked in community health education in Mexico, Santa Cruz, California and Albuquerque. She trained to become a Licensed Midwife in El Paso, TX in 1995 and then moved to Silver City to start a home birth practice. She welcomed babies into the world in Grant and Luna Counties for nearly 10 years before deciding to go to nursing school.

She earned her RN at Samuel Merritt College in Oakland, CA and worked at the County trauma center as an ER nurse. She returned to Silver City and worked as a hospice nurse while continuing her education to become an FNP/CNM through the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. She did much of her hospital birth training at Phoenix Indian Medical Center. She joined HMS in April of 2008, and primarily practices at the Cobre High - School Based Health Center. She also spends one day of the week at both the Mimbres and Lordsburg clinics, focusing on women’s health and pediatrics. Shauna also teaches for the nursing department at WNMU.

Scott Hanson, PA-C

Scott Hanson is originally from Salt Lake City, UT. He received his undergraduate degree in political science from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT. He then worked as a firefighter/paramedic for 4 years before going to the University of New England in Portland, Maine for physician assistant school. Scott just graduated in 2010 and is excited to begin his career with HMS in Silver City. Scott and his wife are both very excited to be living in Silver City. They enjoy hiking, biking, camping, and spending time with their dog.

Julie Fitzgerald, PA-C

Originally from Michigan, Ms. Fitzgerald and her family moved to Silver City from Oregon in 1994. Julie completed her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at Western New Mexico University, graduating with high honors. Julie is a graduate of the Physician Assistant program at the University of New Mexico, where she participated in several community health projects, including healthcare for the homeless. Before pursuing her lifelong dream of practicing medicine, Julie was a home visitor with First Born Program of Grant County. She also gained valuable experience as the supervisor of a clinical lab and has experience as a medical researcher in the areas of breast cancer, melanoma, kidney stones and osteoporosis. Now that she is back in Silver City, Julie is looking forward to forming partnerships with her patients in getting healthy and staying healthy. Ms. Fitzgerald enjoys treating the entire family