“Being a Family Physician allows you to be a part of a patient’s whole journey.”
Cordell Memorial Hospital has welcomed a new physician to its medical staff. Dr. Nadia Azuero joined the hospital on February 9, 2026, and is now seeing patients at the Specialty Clinic. With a background that spans cardiovascular surgery support and family medicine, Azuero brings a broad range of experience and a passion for rural healthcare to the Cordell community.
“I started out as a cardiovascular perfusionist, working in open heart surgery, and worked for 10 years before deciding to go to medical school,” Azuero said. “I did go to school to become a surgeon, given my background, but matched in Family Medicine. Over the course of residency, I enjoyed the challenges of Family Medicine, ‘jack of all trades, master of none’, and mostly I enjoyed getting to know my patients and helping them along their healthcare journey and goals.”
Her path into medicine began early. “I was drawn to medicine and the study of the human body from when I was 10,” she said. “I have always been drawn to the study of medicine. I have always felt it is what I was meant to do.”
Azuero developed a passion for rural healthcare during her training and early career.
“I trained in a rural program, but it was higher volume than true rural medicine,” she said. “So, at the end of residency, I was offered to help in rural hospitals across Texas during the tail end of Covid, and I fell in love with true rural medicine. We have a unique opportunity to get to know our patients, spend more time with them, and, in many ways, provide more personalized care. The seven-minute model of healthcare in larger cities is not appealing to practicing medicine.”
She said her approach to patient care focuses on understanding a person’s overall health.
“I think everything is tied together; it’s not just one system that struggles and shows signs of weakness, it starts before that from either dietary habits, poor sleep, lack of movement, or previous trauma that’s been suppressed,” she said. “I’ve noticed people ‘do’ out of a habit that gets created, and I try to bring mindfulness so patients become more aware of what is going on to help resolve the symptom causing distress. I guess you could say I take an integrated approach to their healthcare.”
The opportunity to work in Cordell came together after meeting hospital leadership and learning more about the community’s healthcare needs.
“Aside from the opportunity becoming available, when I met Melinda Laird, and we discussed the community needs, it felt ‘meant to be’,” Azuero said. “When I learned everything Cordell Memorial Hospital has to offer patients, with opportunities to grow, I knew this is where I wanted to practice, long term. And I have felt at home in Western Oklahoma since I’ve been here.”
Since arriving, she says the transition has been positive and wonderful. Azuero highlights that she has felt welcomed, supported, and included, and considers herself lucky and fortunate.
One of the aspects she appreciates most about practicing in a rural setting is the ability to spend meaningful time with patients.
“Time,” she emphasized. “Actually spending time with patients and helping them understand their health. The 7-minute-per-patient model doesn’t make sense to me, and I don’t like to practice in a hurry. Most patients develop issues over time, and it takes time to unravel the story in order to help them get to the answer. It’s more gratifying to practice rural medicine.”
She noted that one of the biggest challenges rural communities face is attracting physicians and specialists.
“The largest is getting physicians to practice in rural communities. Especially primary care,” she said. “I’m hoping I can help sway the younger generations of physicians to realize the benefits of rural medicine. Next would be specialists. And I would like to work on that as well, help get specialists to come out to Cordell.”
At the Specialty Clinic, Azuero offers a traditional family medicine practice.
“I am offering traditional Family Medicine Practice, and that in itself is very broad,” she said. “But I am open to considering and seeing just about anything, and at least help connect patients to the right practitioners to get the care they need.”
Her services include health maintenance, women’s and men’s health, care for children and adolescents, preventative care, and treatment for minor acute concerns.
When it comes to helping families stay proactive about their health, she encourages education and mindfulness. “Educate yourself as much as possible, and learn to turn the ‘noise’ down,” she said. “Medicine and health are more transparent these days, so I encourage people to try and stay informed on maintenance and prevention. Also, learn to read labels. Understanding what you are putting into your body, to stay conscious.”
Patients preparing for their first visit can help make the appointment more productive by bringing important information with them.
“Come prepared!” she said. “Having a list of medications, past surgeries, family history, medical conditions, and allergies is so helpful to get those things in the history and allows me to spend more time discussing the issues at hand.”
Azuero also emphasized the important role local hospitals play in small communities.
“They are pillars in the community,” she said. “They become a sign of stability and opportunity for growth. If acute medical care is not available in small towns, people have a tendency to leave the area and move closer to available services.”
For those looking to improve their health in simple ways, Azuero shared one tip she believes can make a big difference.
“Take care of your mouth. Health beings in the mouth,” she said. “There are so many studies out there showing a multitude of health issues that began with poor oral hygiene.”
As she begins her work in Cordell, Azuero says she is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community.
“I am here to learn, grow, and help the Cordell community as best I can,” she said. “I am honored to be here and feel so fortunate to be able to practice medicine in such a warm and welcoming community.”