ADVANCED WOMEN'S
Healthcare
A New Approach to Women's Health
Our dedicated all-female staff offers a nurturing environment where women can feel safe and comfortable.
3 Convenient Locations serving the Coachella Valley and High Desert
Our Providers
Dr. Lilia M. Pacini, F.A.C.O.G. is a board-certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist and is board certified in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. She is originally from Barranquilla, Colombia. She completed her residency at University of Texas in Houston in 2004, and then relocated to Palm Springs. She is passionate about both Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Pacini offers minimally invasive surgery, including procedures with the da Vinci Robot. Dr. Pacini loves the desert area and as one of the practice owners, she is committed to staying in the area. She is bilingual, speaking English and Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and two daughters. She is very active and enjoys yoga, dancing, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, traveling, and spending time with her dog, Milo.
Dr. Jolyn Fergon, NP-C, CNM earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Duke University and has been a founding member and active practitioner at Advanced Women's Healthcare since its start in 2003. She obtained her degree as a Nurse Practitioner from Harbor UCLA, and another Master’s as a Nurse Midwife from Philadelphia University. She is originally from Washington State, but has lived in the Coachella Valley since age 15, and graduated from Palm Springs High School. She is passionate about all aspects of women’s health and performs both OB and GYN services, including infertility. She loves everything outdoors, traveling, reading, pickle ball, worship music, and values time with her husband and children above all else.
Dr. Maria Teresa Datan Benitez, F.A.C.O.G. is a board-certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist. She joined our team in December 2013. She enjoys obstetrics and gynecology alike. Dr. Benitez is originally from the Philippines, and graduated from the Cebu Institute of Medicine. She did her first OBGYN residency program in the Philippines and worked as a doctor there for 10 years before coming to the United States. She then completed her second OBGYN residency program at State University of New York at Buffalo. She worked as a physician in Michigan for 5 years before relocating to California to be closer to her family. In her spare time, Dr. Benitez likes to relax at home, spending time with her husband, kids, and 2 dogs. She enjoys baking, doing needle work, and scrapbooking.
Dr. Lara T. Hasan, F.A.C.O.G. is a board-certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist. She completed medical school at Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio; a top 25 US medical school. She then continued her residency training at Case Western Reserve University/Metrohealth Medical Center, where she received an award for enhancing patient-physician relationships. Having lived in seven countries on three continents, she relates to patients from diverse backgrounds, speaks multiple languages, and is committed to providing quality care for all patients. She is passionate about obstetrics as a natural life process and minimally invasive approaches to gynecological issues. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking new recipes, taking Zumba classes, and watching foreign films.
Dr. Jennifer Mikhail is an Obstetrician & Gynecologist who joined us in September 2022. She grew up in Santa Barbara, California. She completed her undergraduate degree at Westmont College. She went on to medical school at Liberty University in Virginia and completed her residency at Mercy Health Muskegon, Michigan. After 8 years away, she is very excited to be back in sunny and warm southern California. She loves building relationships with her patients and feels honored to be able to serve the women of Coachella Valley through OB-GYN care. She is passionate about her family, being outdoors, and exploring new places, food, and cultures.
Tatiana Shidaki, NP-C is a board-certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, and was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawai'i. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Biology from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and received her Master's in Science specializing in Women's Health from University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Prior to joining this team, she worked as a nurse on the cardiac and labor and delivery units at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha since 2010. She loves the unique relationships that she is able to build with women throughout the many changes in their lives and enjoys assisting women in making personalized healthcare decisions. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and gardening. When possible, she returns to her home on Oahu to spend time with family and friends, enjoy the beach, and the local cuisine.
Kari Sower, MSN, WHNP-BC, RNFA is a board certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and APRN surgical first assistant. She was born in Fresno, CA but grew up in Minnesota and went to St. Olaf College where she earned a BA in Studio Art. She then moved to Chicago, IL and started working at a women’s health clinic where she was inspired to go back to school for nursing. She completed her BSN and MSN at Loyola University Chicago, graduated with academic honors, and was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. As a nurse, she continued working in women’s health and family planning, and worked on a women’s oncology unit at Northwestern Memorial/Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago. Prior to joining this team, she spent the last 5 years working as a nurse practitioner and RNFA at a surgical gynecologic oncology practice in South Bend, IN. Kari has a special interest in global women’s health and has traveled to several countries doing medical mission work & teaching. She is passionate about empowering women to make healthy choices and live their best lives. Kari moved to the desert with her longtime boyfriend and they are excited about exploring the area, trying new restaurants, and hiking!
Chelsea Gabaly, PA-C Is a board certified physician assistant. She was born and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received her bachelor’s in biomedical science from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. She went on to complete her physician assistant program at Temple University in Philadelphia. She has always wanted to move to Southern California, which she did right after graduating from her program. She is passionate about building relationships with her patients to provide the best patient care. Outside of work she enjoys exploring California, yoga, hiking, spending time with friends, and her cat and dog.
Michele Welker, MSN, FNP-C is a board certified family nurse practitioner, specializing in women’s health. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Carlow University and her Master’s of Science in Nursing from Penn State University. Born and raised outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania she worked as a PICU nurse and a flight nurse for 23 years before starting as a nurse practitioner for WVU Medicine in Morgantown, WV. She relocated to Southern California for the sunshine. She is excited about only experiencing snow from afar. She is passionate about adolescent and young women’s health, ranging from the first trip to the gynecologist through pregnancy and beyond. She loves the relationships she is able to build taking care of women. Outside of work she loves to scuba dive, travel and spend time with her two children and her cat.
Veronica Klein, MSN, WHNP-C is a is a board certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She was born and raised in Northern Nevada and grew up in a small ranching town. Veronica has more than 17 years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse which moved her to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. During those 17 years she gained knowledge, wisdom and the ability to approach women’s health with deep understanding and empathy. As an expert educator, Veronica connects and collaborates with her patients to help them feel empowered and involved in their own care. She is a fierce advocate and advisor and aids each patient in finding their most appropriate individualized plan of care. She recently relocated to Southern California from Northern California. Veronica is looking forward to providing patient centered care to the women of Palm Springs area; inclusive to all populations, ages and sexual orientations. Outside of work, you can find Veronica training for marathons, traveling, visiting Disneyland and camping. Veronica also spends a majority of her free time riding and competing in show jumping with her horses.