Cortez Integrated Healthcare, of Axis Health System, has hired family nurse practitioner Shawna Yates. She is accepting new patients of all ages, including newborns.

Yates has worked in critical care and pediatrics for the past 12 years and earned a master’s degree in nursing, according to a news release. She has experience in cardiology, oncology, women’s health and chronic condition management.

“I love the mission of Axis and our focus on integrated care. Being a one-stop shop for my patients is very important,” Yates stated in the release.

Yates lives in Dolores and is the mother of two sons and three grandchildren. She moved from Lubbock, Texas, nine years ago.

Yates said mental and emotional health can be the mitigating factor for many health conditions.

She works with her patients to understand what’s happening emotionally that might affect their well-being.

“We have to consider all factors to fully understand how to help our patients,” she said. “I take everything into consideration when working with patients on a care plan. I wouldn’t ask someone to do something that doesn’t make sense based on the resources that they have access to.”

When not working, Yates enjoys four-wheeling, hiking, camping and spending time with her family.

Cortez Integrated Healthcare is part of the Axis Health System, which is a Community Health Center and Community Mental Health Center – the only organization in Colorado with both designations.

The clinic also has hired Dr. David Ryan, a family medicine physician. The new providers join nurse practitioner Kirsten Howell, specializing in pediatrics, and nurse practitioner Justine Smith, specializing in geriatrics.

To make an appointment, call Cortez Integrated Healthcare at (970) 565-7946. To learn more, visit www.axishealthsystem.org