CME Committee Members
Dr. Albert Rizzoli
Dr. Cordelia Sever
Dr. Cordelia Sever has practiced pathology in New Mexico since 1991 and has served as a staff pathologist with Pathology Associates of Albuquerque since 1993. She previously held leadership roles as Vice President and Director of Clinical Pathology and has served in multiple medical directorships with Presbyterian Healthcare Services and TriCore Reference Laboratories. Dr. Sever is volunteer clinical faculty at the University of New Mexico Department of Pathology and has held numerous leadership positions with the College of American Pathologists, in addition to her longstanding service on CME and medical staff committees.
Dr. Karen Vaillant
Dr. Karen Vaillant has served the New Mexico Medical Society in numerous leadership roles since 1996, including President of the Chaves County Medical Society, Chaves County Councilor, member of the Advisory Board to The Doctors Company, and NMMS President (2011–2012). A longtime family physician in Roswell and former Director of the Eastern New Mexico Family Medicine Rotation Program, Dr. Vaillant is especially attuned to the lifestyle and challenges facing rural physicians and is a strong advocate for supporting rural medical practice.
Dr. Ryan K. Orosco
Dr. Ryan K. Orosco is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Johns Hopkins University, completed his residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California San Diego, and pursued fellowship training in head and neck surgical oncology and microvascular reconstruction at Stanford University. Dr. Orosco is committed to optimizing patient outcomes through data-driven surgical care and advancing innovative technologies from research to clinical practice.
Dr. Robert Underwood
Dr. Robert Underwood’s career has been driven by a passion for leadership and the advancement of physician practices. Grounded in the values of honor, teamwork, service, encouragement, and compassion, he is committed to fostering a healthcare environment that supports physicians and strengthens patient care. As President of the New Mexico Medical Society, Dr. Underwood works to shape policies and initiatives that promote a sustainable and physician-centered healthcare landscape.
Dr. David Savage
Dr. David Savage cares for patients with melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers, and sarcoma at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center. His professional interests include leading clinical trials, advancing community education on skin cancer prevention, and advocating for equitable access to high-quality healthcare for all New Mexicans.
Dr. Sandra Whisler
Dr. Sandra Whisler is a native New Mexican who has dedicated more than 30 years to caring for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and Medical Complexity (CYSHCN/MC). She is committed to ensuring that high-quality healthcare is accessible to all New Mexicans and strongly supports the training and development of well-qualified physicians to meet the state’s healthcare needs.
