ATSU-SOMA alumna Tesalia Jordens, DO, redefines women’s midlife care

ATSU-SOMA alumna Tesalia Jordens, DO, redefines women's midlife care

A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona alumna Tesalia Jordens, DO, '15, is reshaping women's midlife care through her recently launched telehealth practice, 1988. Following the completion of her family medicine residency, Dr. Jordens began her career in urgent care, which she still practices today. Through urgent care clinics, and later primary care, she began to notice a group of women whose symptoms challenged what she had been taught to diagnose or treat.

"I could address anxiety, depression, insomnia, or nutrition, but it wasn't quite right - many of these women were already doing 'all the right things' and still struggling," Dr. Jordens says.

As she began studying midlife medicine more deeply, the root cause became clear: menopause. Today, about 1.2 billion women are experiencing menopause, making it one of the most prevalent health issues worldwide. The treatment it necessitates is not only about relieving symptoms or improving quality of life, but also protecting health span. Evidence demonstrates proper care may reduce risk of cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Unfortunately, decades of dismissal have led many medical professionals to treat patient symptoms, including those described by Dr. Jordens, as separate issues rather than one condition, preventing the women affected from receiving adequate care. With this in mind, Dr. Jordens began to lay the groundwork for 1988, determined to meet these persistently underserved women where they are, on their own terms.

Dr. Jordens chose the name 1988 in reference to the Women's Business Ownership Act (WBOA), a landmark piece of legislation signed that year. WBOA enabled women - for the first time - to own small businesses without a male, relative cosigner. As a woman physician starting her own practice, Dr. Jordens hopes to honor this spirit of change by providing her patients with the tools to navigate menopause with confidence.

1988 offers virtual consultations and follow-ups concerning menopause care, metabolic health, and chronic disease prevention. The clinic typically serves women from ages 35-60 but extends its services to those affected by early or surgical menopause. Some patients seek guidance on perimenopause or menopause symptoms, while others hope to prevent the development of conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. What makes 1988 exceptional, however, is not the variety of its services but rather its accessibility.

"Many of my patients are balancing careers, family responsibilities, and caregiving," Dr. Jordens says. "Making time for themselves can feel impossible."

Here, telehealth is able to bridge the gap between midlife women and providers equipped to meet their needs. This is especially true in areas with large rural populations, including Wisconsin, where Dr. Jordens is based. Women in these areas often find it difficult to find a local provider comfortable with treating menopause. 1988 enables these women to access treatment at their convenience, from anywhere in the country. In doing so, they are able to reconnect not only with their health but also with themselves.

Dr. Jordens considers it essential to healthcare for patients and doctors to maintain a level of autonomy. Early in her career, she recalls suffering from burnout caused by systemic constraints, including insurance demands, administrators, patient survey scores, and productivity metrics. It became clear she would need to transition from traditional practice to provide the individualized care and longer, more thoughtful visits she desired. 1988 has finally enabled her to serve her patients in a way she finds personally satisfying. It is her hope she might inspire colleagues experiencing similar challenges to pursue innovative models of care aligning with their values and patient needs.

At the core of 1988 is Dr. Jordens' mission to guide women through midlife so they are healthier, stronger, and more confident. Her efforts place her at the forefront of an ongoing shift in healthcare, which amplifies women's voices, prioritizes their progress, and centers their power. By expanding the boundaries of midlife and menopausal health, Dr. Jordens provides women with the tools to overcome long-standing obstacles, just as was done by American legislators nearly four decades ago.