Emily Rekuc, D.O.
Dr. Rekuc’s interest in medicine stems from her childhood. She was raised on a farm surrounded by nature. Specifically, she was surrounded by horses and dogs. She was an avid equestrian and, as many of us do, she felt a special connection to her pets. This love became a passion for medicine as she cared for her sick horses and dogs.
When she left for college she pursued a major in Biology at Trinity College due to her fascination in how the body heals, but she did not have a clear direction of professional or educational goals. There she became active in the women’s crew team. She was selected to participate in the Health Fellowship at Hartford Hospital during her junior year where she participated in an ongoing research study investigating the cardiovascular effects of Lupus. She spent a summerstudying at Oxford University in England and learned about the impacts of people and society on landscape as seen through centuries in Britain. She also spent a summer in the Turks and Caicos researching the breeding grounds of the Queen Conch. College was an amazing time of educational diversity and exposure for Dr. Rekuc. She met her future husband in college. In 2001 she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in biology and a minor in environmental science. After so many amazing experiences, she was still unsure of her professional goals.
She moved to Charleston South Carolina in search of a possible career in environmentalism but realized these careers would not satisfy her need to work with people. She worked in restaurants while she undertook the process of applying for medical school.
Dr. Rekuc attended Kansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience. During her clinical rotations, she worked in Women’s Health and was hooked. A residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology followed medical school. She attended St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. There she delivered many babies, learned how to operate, and cared for patients. Her residency provided her the opportunity to learn cutting edge surgical techniques in fields such as advanced laparoscopy, vaginal surgery, and incontinence and prolapse surgeries. She learned about cutting-edge therapies for gynecologic cancers and assisted in extensive tumor debulking surgeries. She learned from high risk obstetric specialists one on one. Dr. Rekuc was the principal investigator of two research projects. One evaluated sonographic evidence of gestational diabetes and was selected as a poster presentation at the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine’s annual conference in 2011. The other was a clinical trial that looked at cervical ripening with Foley Balloons. This study was presented at the Resident research Symposium and won first prize in 2011. It was also selected as a poster presentation at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s annual conference in 2011. But most importantly, she learned about the development of life and rediscovered her fascination for life and its beauty.
Dr. Rekuc relocated to the desert with her husband, daughter and two dogs. Her family has since grown and now includes a son. She opened her practice, Caring for Women with the goal of providing compassionate care to women and new families. She is dedicated to contemporary gynecology and personalized medicine. Dr. Rekuc pinches herself each day. It is hard to believe that she is lucky enough to help women as they come of age, have children, develop relationships, and transition though life’s phases.
As an Osteopathic trained physician, her philosophy is to approach her patient’s health and body as a whole.
The D.O. Difference
Dr. Rekuc’s interest in medicine stems from her childhood. She was raised on a farm surrounded by nature. Specifically, she was surrounded by horses and dogs. She was an avid equestrian and, as many of us do, she felt a special connection to her pets. This love became a passion for medicine as she cared for her sick horses and dogs.
When she left for college she pursued a major in Biology at Trinity College due to her fascination in how the body heals, but she did not have a clear direction of professional or educational goals. There she became active in the women’s crew team. She was selected to participate in the Health Fellowship at Hartford Hospital during her junior year where she participated in an ongoing research study investigating the cardiovascular effects of Lupus. She spent a summerstudying at Oxford University in England and learned about the impacts of people and society on landscape as seen through centuries in Britain. She also spent a summer in the Turks and Caicos researching the breeding grounds of the Queen Conch. College was an amazing time of educational diversity and exposure for Dr. Rekuc. She met her future husband in college. In 2001 she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in biology and a minor in environmental science. After so many amazing experiences, she was still unsure of her professional goals.
She moved to Charleston South Carolina in search of a possible career in environmentalism but realized these careers would not satisfy her need to work with people. She worked in restaurants while she undertook the process of applying for medical school.
Dr. Rekuc attended Kansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience. During her clinical rotations, she worked in Women’s Health and was hooked. A residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology followed medical school. She attended St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. There she delivered many babies, learned how to operate, and cared for patients. Her residency provided her the opportunity to learn cutting edge surgical techniques in fields such as advanced laparoscopy, vaginal surgery, and incontinence and prolapse surgeries. She learned about cutting-edge therapies for gynecologic cancers and assisted in extensive tumor debulking surgeries. She learned from high risk obstetric specialists one on one. Dr. Rekuc was the principal investigator of two research projects. One evaluated sonographic evidence of gestational diabetes and was selected as a poster presentation at the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine’s annual conference in 2011. The other was a clinical trial that looked at cervical ripening with Foley Balloons. This study was presented at the Resident research Symposium and won first prize in 2011. It was also selected as a poster presentation at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s annual conference in 2011. But most importantly, she learned about the development of life and rediscovered her fascination for life and its beauty.
Dr. Rekuc relocated to the desert with her husband, daughter and two dogs. Her family has since grown and now includes a son. She opened her practice, Caring for Women with the goal of providing compassionate care to women and new families. She is dedicated to contemporary gynecology and personalized medicine. Dr. Rekuc pinches herself each day. It is hard to believe that she is lucky enough to help women as they come of age, have children, develop relationships, and transition though life’s phases.
As an Osteopathic trained physician, her philosophy is to approach her patient’s health and body as a whole.
The D.O. Difference
Dr. Chikanele (Chika) Okorie
Dr. Chikanele (Chika) Okorie was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. She grew up in a big family and is the 7th of 8th children. She moved to the United States of America in 2001 and attended Stony Brook University for undergraduate studies. She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Biology. Prior to medical school, Dr Okorie worked as a Research Assistant at Columbia University School of Social Work, New York on a HIV/STI prevention project. She received her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY and completed her OBGYN residency at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr Okorie practiced general obstetrics and gynecology in Northern California for 4 years prior to relocating to the Desert with her husband and daughter to join Caring for Women. Since arriving in the Desert her family has grown to include twin boys. She is very passionate about women's health with interests in preventive medicine, contraceptive counseling, minimally invasive surgery and advocating for underserved populations. When Dr. Okorie is not working hard, her hobbies include traveling, reading novels, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Chikanele (Chika) Okorie was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. She grew up in a big family and is the 7th of 8th children. She moved to the United States of America in 2001 and attended Stony Brook University for undergraduate studies. She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Biology. Prior to medical school, Dr Okorie worked as a Research Assistant at Columbia University School of Social Work, New York on a HIV/STI prevention project. She received her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY and completed her OBGYN residency at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr Okorie practiced general obstetrics and gynecology in Northern California for 4 years prior to relocating to the Desert with her husband and daughter to join Caring for Women. Since arriving in the Desert her family has grown to include twin boys. She is very passionate about women's health with interests in preventive medicine, contraceptive counseling, minimally invasive surgery and advocating for underserved populations. When Dr. Okorie is not working hard, her hobbies include traveling, reading novels, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.
Brandi Teegarden, FNP-C
Brandi Teegarden grew up in the Palm Springs area. She is married, has two children and three dogs. She enjoys hiking and camping and is also a fan of the cinema – with a particular fondness for French films of the post war era.
She is a compassionate Nurse Practitioner with advanced clinical training. She has a great deal of experience with, and a passion for, OB/GYN patients. Brandi holds an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Nursing.
She is a compassionate Nurse Practitioner with advanced clinical training. She has a great deal of experience with, and a passion for, OB/GYN patients. Brandi holds an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Nursing.
Stephanie Townsend, FNP-C
Stephanie Townsend is a Nurse Practitioner with experience in OB/GYN. She is originally from the Coachella Valley, and enjoys the area. She enjoys listening to and playing music, and spending time with her family. She has a dog, is very active and greatly enjoys the desert.
Stephanie is a huge Star Wars fan, and is an enthusiastic member of Team Mando.
Stephanie is a huge Star Wars fan, and is an enthusiastic member of Team Mando.