How one practice helps care for almost half of New Mexico's pregnancies with telemedicine
Perinatal Associates has grown by implementing both telehealth consults and tele-ultrasound, aiding mothers through nearly 9,000 pregnancies statewide this past year.
New Mexico is a vast state – the fifth largest in the U.S. But it has one of the smallest populations, ranking 36th with slightly more than 2.1 million people. In 2022, New Mexico also had the highest poverty rate in the nation at 17.6%. In 2024, it ranked 50th in education.?
The challenges faced by the citizens of New Mexico in their everyday lives roll into complexities in their access to healthcare, said Dr. Mike Ruma, head of fetal medicine and maternal health at Perinatal Associates of New Mexico.
"Unfortunately, this storyline carries over to pregnancy as well," he explained. "New Mexico has one of the highest teen birth rates and the highest maternal mortality rate in the country. Over a third of its counties are defined as maternity care deserts related to several labor and delivery unit closures in Las Vegas, Gallup and Artesia.
"Prior to daily use of tele-ultrasound, our maternal-fetal medicine practice reached out to rural communities with strategically located physician offices," he continued. "These offices require a large footprint, numerous staff, and significant driving for physicians and other frontline healthcare providers."
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