Jamie Valenzuela, MRI Technologist and team lead at AGH, has been named a 2026 Artesia Woman of Impact in Healthcare.
The Women of Impact Awards, now in their third year, recognize women who have made significant contributions to the well-being and development of the Artesia community. This recognition places Jamie among a select group of women who tangibly improve lives across the region.
We could not be prouder. And honestly, we are not surprised.
About the Artesia Women of Impact Award
Women for a Better Artesia launched the Women of Impact Awards in 2024. They hoped to shine a light on the often-unnoticed contributions of women who lead, serve, and inspire in Artesia. The award spans multiple categories, from business and education to community service and healthcare. Each honoree is nominated by members of the community who have witnessed their impact firsthand.
Being recognized in the Healthcare category is a meaningful distinction. It means the community itself is saying: this person’s work has made a difference in our lives.
For Jamie, that recognition is well-earned.
What Jamie Has Built at AGH
Jamie has been a cornerstone of the imaging program at Artesia General Hospital, working as an MRI Technologist and team lead to build capabilities that many rural communities never get to keep close to home.
In southeastern New Mexico, patients who need specialized imaging often face a difficult choice: travel hours to a larger facility, or go without. Jamie has spent her career making that choice less common. Through her technical expertise, her work on protocol development, and her role in implementing new technologies, AGH has been able to expand its MRI services and handle complex cases right here in Artesia.
One of her most impactful contributions has been helping introduce and optimize breast MRI at AGH, directly supporting local women’s health services. Women across Eddy County who need advanced diagnostic imaging can now access it without leaving the region, thanks in part to the groundwork Jamie has laid.
Her imaging work has earned recognition far beyond Artesia, including compliments from physicians and institutions as well-known as the Mayo Clinic. And it supports AGH’s broader imaging program, which includes MRI services in Artesia, open MRI in Carlsbad, and 3D mammography for women across southeastern New Mexico.
The Patient Experience She Creates
Technical skill matters in MRI. So does what happens before the scan ever starts.
MRI can be an anxious experience for patients. The machine is loud and enclosed, and many people arrive already worried about what the scan might find. Jamie understands that. She takes time with every patient, explains what to expect, and creates an environment where people feel calm and cared for before they ever set foot on the table.
That approach has not gone unnoticed. Patients regularly praise Jamie for her compassion and reassurance. Referring physicians consistently commend her for producing high-quality, diagnostically valuable imaging that gives them what they need to make confident clinical decisions.
The combination of technical excellence and genuine human care is rare. Jamie brings both, every single day.
A Community Presence That Goes Well Beyond the Hospital
What makes Jamie’s recognition as a Woman of Impact especially fitting is that her investment in Artesia does not stop at the end of her shift.
She coaches girls’ softball, serves as a team mom for her son’s baseball team, and is a fixture at Artesia Bulldogs events alongside her family. She is present in her children’s activities, her neighborhood, and the broader community life of a town she has clearly chosen to call home.
Women for a Better Artesia exists to celebrate women who strengthen this community in ways that often go unrecognized. Jamie does exactly that, both inside AGH and out.
From Artesia General Hospital
AGH is honored to have Jamie on our team, and we are grateful to Women for a Better Artesia for this recognition.
Artesia General Hospital has been serving this community since 1939. We are a nonprofit, DNV accredited critical access hospital. We are also the only hospital in New Mexico certified as a Great Place to Work. That certification reflects the people who work here, and Jamie Valenzuela is a perfect example of why we earned it.
Congratulations, Jamie. Artesia is lucky to have you.
Several AGH employees were nominated for awards in multiple categories this year. They include Irma Salmon, Laurie Crockett, Shawna Beasley and Kim Salgado.
Schedule Imaging at AGH
AGH offers MRI services at our Artesia campus and at our Carlsbad Open MRI & Imaging Center. To schedule an appointment, call 1-855-RAD-EXAM (1-855-723-3926). Most imaging services require a physician referral or order.
Medical Disclaimer
We provide this article for informational purposes. All imaging services at AGH require a physician order. Please consult your healthcare provider to determine whether MRI or other diagnostic imaging is appropriate for your individual health needs. For appointments or questions, contact Artesia General Hospital at 575-748-3333.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Artesia Women of Impact Award?
Women for a Better Artesia present the Artesia Women of Impact Awards annually. They honor women who have made significant contributions to the well-being and development of the Artesia community. The award launched in 2024 and spans multiple categories, including healthcare, business, education, and community service.
What earned Jamie Valenzuela recognition in the Healthcare category?
The hospital recognized Jamie for her exceptional contributions to imaging services, her compassionate patient care, and her work expanding local women’s imaging. She also maintains deep roots in the community through her involvement in Artesia’s youth sports and local life.
What MRI services does AGH offer?
AGH provides MRI imaging at two locations: our Artesia campus and Carlsbad Open MRI & Imaging Center. Services include diagnostic MRI and breast MRI. Our Carlsbad location offers an open MRI option, which is ideal for patients with claustrophobia or anxiety.
How do I schedule an MRI at Artesia General Hospital?
Call 1-855-RAD-EXAM (1-855-723-3926) to schedule at either location. Most imaging services require a physician referral or order. If you do not have a referring provider, call AGH at 575-748-3333 to connect with our primary care team.