A well-woman exam in Artesia NM at AGH’s Vibrant Women’s Clinic is about more than checking a box. It’s the one appointment each year designed specifically around you — your health history, your risk factors, your stage of life, and the conditions that disproportionately affect women.
Most women know they’re supposed to have an annual exam. Far fewer know exactly what that exam covers, what they should be asking, or how much it can catch before problems become serious. This post covers all of it — so you can show up prepared, make the most of your time with your provider, and leave with a clear picture of where your health stands.
At the Vibrant Women’s Clinic, Laurie Crockett, FNP provides well-woman exams with the kind of personalized attention that larger systems rarely offer. Patients travel from Carlsbad, Roswell, and across the Pecos Valley to see her — but the Vibrant Women’s Clinic is located right here in Artesia. Learn more at artesiageneral.com/service/womens-health/.
What Is a Well-Woman Exam?
A well-woman exam — sometimes called an annual gynecologic visit or well-woman visit — is a comprehensive preventive care appointment designed specifically for women. It combines physical assessment, screenings, and a conversation about your overall health, lifestyle, and any concerns you’ve been putting off.
Unlike a sick visit or specialist appointment, the well-woman exam is proactive. Its purpose is to catch problems early — when they’re most treatable — and to establish a baseline of health that your provider can track over time, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
It’s also the appointment where women most often bring up concerns they’ve been hesitant to raise — symptoms they’ve normalized, questions they’ve been embarrassed to ask, changes they’ve noticed but haven’t addressed. A good well-woman exam creates space for all of it.
| Annual Pap Smear Recommended Ages 21–65 | Age 40 Start Annual Mammogram Screenings | 91/100 AGH CMS Patient Satisfaction Score |
What’s Typically Included in a Well-Woman Exam at AGH
- Complete health history review — updated each visit
- Blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight, BMI
- Pelvic exam — evaluates reproductive organs
- Pap smear (cervical cancer screening) — per current guidelines
- Clinical breast exam
- STI/STD screening as appropriate
- Menopause or perimenopause discussion as applicable
- Immunization review
- Referral for mammogram, bone density scan, or specialist care as needed
Pap Smear Guidelines: How Often Do You Actually Need One?
Pap smear guidelines have changed significantly over the past decade, and many women are either over-screening or under-screening without knowing it. Current ACOG recommendations are:
Ages 21–29: Pap smear every 3 years. HPV testing alone is not recommended in this age group.
Ages 30–65: Pap smear every 3 years, or co-testing (Pap + HPV) every 5 years, or HPV testing alone every 5 years.
Over 65: Most women can stop Pap smears if they have had adequate prior screening with normal results and no history of high-grade precancer. This decision should be made with your provider.
The well-woman exam is the right time to review your screening history and make sure you’re following the schedule that’s right for your age and risk profile. Laurie Crockett, FNP reviews this with every patient as part of the Vibrant Women’s Clinic’s standard of care.
Laurie Crockett, FNP
Due for Your Annual Well-Woman Exam?
Vibrant Women’s Clinic | Artesia NM | Serving Artesia, Carlsbad, Roswell & SE New Mexico
Call (575) 736-8394
Request an Appointment Online →
Screenings That Should Be Part of Your Annual Health Picture
Mammography
Women 40 and older should discuss mammography timing with their provider. AGH offers the Genius™ 3D Mammography exam on-site — detecting up to 65% more invasive cancers than traditional 2D mammography. Women 40+ do not require a referral. Call 1-855-RAD-EXAM to schedule independently of your well-woman visit, or ask Laurie Crockett, FNP to coordinate the referral at your appointment.
Bone Density (DEXA Scan)
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends bone density screening for women aged 65 and older, and for younger postmenopausal women with risk factors for osteoporosis. AGH offers DEXA scanning on-site — no separate facility visit required.
Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Risk
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, according to the CDC. Blood pressure screening at every well-woman visit is a baseline — but the appointment is also the right time to discuss cholesterol, family history, weight, and other cardiovascular risk factors. AGH coordinates cardiac evaluation through Dr. Luther Weathers, MD (Cardiology) for women whose risk profile warrants further workup.
Diabetes Screening
Women with risk factors for type 2 diabetes — including family history, history of gestational diabetes, weight, and physical inactivity — should be screened regularly. Jordan Fuentes, RDN leads AGH’s Nutrition Services & Diabetes Education program, available to coordinate care for women managing or at risk for diabetes.
What to Bring and How to Prepare
Getting the most out of your well-woman exam starts before you walk in the door. A few simple steps make the visit more efficient and ensure your provider has the information needed to give you the best care.
How to Prepare for Your Well-Woman Exam at AGH
- Bring a list of all current medications, vitamins, and supplements
- Know the date of your last period and any changes to your cycle
Well-Woman Exam Near Me: Why SE New Mexico Women Choose the Vibrant Women’s Clinic
Women searching for a well-woman exam near me in Carlsbad, Roswell, or the Pecos Valley consistently arrive at the same conclusion: AGH’s Vibrant Women’s Clinic offers a level of personalized, specialist-informed gynecologic care that isn’t available closer to home for most patients in the region. Learn more about everything offered at the Vibrant Women’s Clinic.
As a nonprofit, DNV-accredited hospital with a 91/100 CMS patient satisfaction score — highest in southeast New Mexico — AGH has built a reputation for care that is both clinically excellent and genuinely personal. The Vibrant Women’s Clinic is located at 612 N. 13th St., Professional Building 1, Suite B, Artesia, NM 88210.
¿Habla español?
- Los exámenes anuales para mujeres están disponibles en la Clínica Vibrant Women’s en Artesia General Hospital.
- Para programar su visita anual, llame al (575) 736-8394.
- Atendemos a pacientes de Artesia, Carlsbad, Roswell y todo el sureste de Nuevo México.
Schedule Your Well-Woman Exam in Artesia NM
Vibrant Women’s Clinic | 612 N. 13th St., Suite B, Artesia, NM | Laurie Crockett, FNP
Call (575) 736-8394 | AGH Main: (575) 748-3333
Request an Appointment Online →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a well-woman exam in Artesia NM?
A well-woman exam at AGH’s Vibrant Women’s Clinic includes a complete health history review, pelvic exam, Pap smear (per current guidelines), clinical breast exam, blood pressure and vital signs, contraception counseling, mental health screening, and coordination of referrals for mammography, bone density testing, or specialist care as needed. Call (575) 736-8394 to schedule with Laurie Crockett, FNP.
Where can I get a well-woman exam near me in southeast New Mexico?
AGH’s Vibrant Women’s Clinic in Artesia, NM offers well-woman exams for women throughout southeast New Mexico, including patients from Carlsbad, Roswell, and the Pecos Valley. The clinic is located at 612 N. 13th St., Professional Building 1, Suite B, Artesia, NM. Call (575) 736-8394.
How often should I get a Pap smear?
Current guidelines from ACOG recommend a Pap smear every 3 years for women ages 21–29, and every 3–5 years (depending on testing type) for women ages 30–65. Your provider will review your screening history and recommend the appropriate schedulebased on your age and risk factors.
Do I need a referral for a well-woman exam at AGH?
Most well-woman exams do not require a referral. Call (575) 736-8394 to schedule directly with the Vibrant Women’s Clinic. If your insurance requires a referral, the AGH team will help you navigate that process.
Is the well-woman exam covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover annual well-woman exams as preventive care with no out-of-pocket cost. Check with your specific plan for details. AGH accepts most major insurance plans. Call (575) 748-3333 for insurance questions.
Where can I get a Pap smear near me in Carlsbad or Roswell NM?
Laurie Crockett, FNP at AGH’s Vibrant Women’s Clinic in Artesia, NM provides well-woman exams including Pap smears for women throughout southeast New Mexico. The clinic also sees patients at Carlsbad Family Practice (105 E. Hagerman St., Carlsbad). Call (575) 736-8394.
Medical Disclaimer
This content provides information only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Because screening recommendations vary based on your individual risk factors, please discuss your options with your healthcare provider. Artesia General Hospital | 702 N. 13th St., Artesia, NM 88210 | (575) 748-3333
Clinical reviewer — Laurie Crockett, FNP.