Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz Palmer

Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz Palmer was born on December 6th, 1960, in Snyder, Texas to Monica Salas Ortiz and Esequiel Eloy Ortiz. She was the 3rd born after her siblings Marquita B., and Larry and had one younger sister, Mary.

Liz was always an incredibly bright kid. She was reading in multiple languages before other kids even knew how to read in one. She always displayed curiosity and wanted to share her knowledge with others. In her advanced elementary program, she got in trouble for explaining to the other kids how babies were "really made." It was from this early age that she first showed interest in becoming a doctor. She and her friend Lila Mae Archie decided to "do surgery" and cut each other's eyelashes off!

As a teenager, Liz moved with her family to Albuquerque where she attended Del Norte High School. While there, she was a highly motivated student and was always involved in school events like homecoming and the cheer team. After high school she attended UNM. She majored in Chemistry and joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She never gave up on her goal to become a doctor and worked hard to get accepted early to UNM School of Medicine all while maintaining a vivacious social life.

After medical school, Liz remained at UNM for her residency in internal medicine. It wasn't long before she became the best in her program and was selected to stay for an additional year as chief. Once she finished her residency, she went on to further her education at the University of Utah where she completed a fellowship in cardiology and sub-fellowship in interventional cardiology. She then returned to New Mexico to work in various cities and clinical settings. Her passion for women's heart health and the betterment of her community led her to help build the Heart Hospital of New Mexico. Her patients always appreciated her honesty and authenticity. They knew they were in good hands and her track record of saving thousands of lives only proved them right.

In her early years, Liz maintained that she never wanted to have kids; however, once she was in her 30's she changed her mind. She went on to have two beautiful daughters, Madeleine, and Brooke. Even with all her accomplishments, she said having her kids was the best thing she had ever done. She went above and beyond to be the best mom ever. She would say "I love you more than life itself. I would lay down my life for you" and they knew she meant it. Her kids were all she would talk about. Maddie followed in her footsteps and attended UNM School of Medicine. She is currently pursuing her residency in urology. Brooke is studying elementary education at UNM. Liz was extremely proud of both of her daughters. She will live on in their hearts every day.

Throughout her life, Liz made friends everywhere she went. Her big personality sometimes scared people off, but most loved her. She had a big heart and maintained friends from all walks of life.

Sadly, Liz passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 22nd, 2021. She will be missed but she will live on in our hearts forever.