Meet Dr. Evans — a generational healer

Dr. Julene Evans is a full-time obstetrician/gynecologist at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital who brings a modern understanding of women’s health while embracing a traditional approach that allows patients to build and maintain a relationship with the same physician.

“The most important thing to me is for my patients to feel they are heard,” said Dr. Evans. “I want them to feel someone is taking care of their needs and giving them the individual attention they deserve. I know there are some trends in medicine that make people feel like they are being herded like sheep. But I started my career taking the time to listen and understand my patients and that will continue here at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital.”

Dr. Evans came to medicine, and even to Ridgecrest, by somewhat unconventional pathways.

“Most of my family members work in healthcare — we have a lot of nurses, a physician, a speech pathologist,” she recalled. “I was always interested in a science, but I actually started out thinking I would be a veterinarian.”

She showed horses in her youth, studied animal science in college, and even worked for a time as a zookeeper. “Sometime in my third year of school, when I got more serious about thinking of what I wanted to do in terms of the impact I would have on my family and community, and I realized I had already fulfilled the requirements for medical school. So I veered that direction at the last moment.”

Evans earned her undergraduate degree in microbiology at Cornell University, and from there attended medical school in Buffalo. “In medical school I connected to OB/GYN, which has a lot of microbiology, but I also discovered I liked being able to see my work as a surgeon.

“And of course I never get tired of bringing a new baby into the world. I don't think that ever gets old.”

Dr. Evans has been practicing medicine for more than 20 years, including time in private practice and in a clinic, and reflected on how things have changed since she entered the field.

“We know more about women's health now, and I think women are learning more how to vocalize and advocate for themselves,” she said. “Part of my job is to research as much up-to-date information as I can, consider the risks and benefits, and work with the patient toward the best conclusion. But I am not a dictator. I respect that women have diverse needs and experiences, and while I must make a strong case for the science I believe we have to listen to women and allow them to ultimately make decisions about their health.”

Recruiting professionals to the Indian Wells Valley can be a delicate art, finding people who are compatible with the small-town environment and up to the unique challenges of building in a life in a geographically isolated community.

“I actually had been to Ridgecrest many times before,” said Dr. Evans. “My son works at China Lake, and I ended up checking out the hospital by chance.”

As she was navigating life changes on both the personal and professional fronts, she decided to move here from New Jersey to accept her current position. “But I like change. I have never been interested in a boring 9-to-5 job. And although the environment here is a little different from where I am from, fundamentally I'll still be meeting patients where they are and taking care of them.”

Dr. Evans moved here in February, but since she had visited previously in July “there were no surprises for me!” she joked. She said that she has enjoyed exploring the natural world via our network of hiking trails, and getting to visit other communities in California.

“I like having the quiet and the solitude when I want it, but being able to drive to San Diego for a weekend once in a while.”

“We are so pleased that Dr. Evans accepted our offer to practice here in Ridgecrest,” said James Suver, CEO of RRH. “We believe she will be an excellent addition not just to our hospital, but to our community.

“Dr. Evans joins a team of women committed to women's health, and we know that her patients will be in excellent hands.”

Evans discussed how the art of healthcare can be as critical as the science behind it. “We live in an interesting age where there's still a lack of information about women's health, but there's also a lot of disinformation. Helping a woman synthesize all of that to make the best choice is so important.

“And there are such individual needs surrounding health — especially as we age. For me, safety is paramount — we want to give the best possible care to mothers and their babies. But getting to those decisions requires a connection built on respect, care, and good communication.”

Dr. Evans acknowledged that her background working with animals can sometimes be helpful. “I have cared for women with multiple PhDs, and women who had very little school, and no matter what, you must meet patients where they are and make sure they understand what is happening to them.” With animals, you rely on subtle cues that can tell you about an experience even if it cannot be articulated.

“Having a baby is a traumatic experience. It's a wonderful experience, but it can be completely overwhelming. As physicians it's our job to monitor the patient and make sure they come through this experience with the best possible outcome.

“My philosophy is that you treat a patient the way you want to see your mother or your sister treated.”

Dr. Evans noted that some of her patients stayed with her long enough that she delivered multiple generations.

“Some of them have even asked whether they can keep seeing me once a year after I move across the country,” she joked.

“I know we have a very important job, and I love the challenge of being the best doctor I can be.”

The women in Dr. Evans family are also continuing the family tradition of producing medical professionals, with both her daughters in medical school — one graduating from Temple in May, and the other in her second year at Cornell.

“I am very grateful that my daughters chose medicine as a future career,” said Dr. Evans. “I was very clear to them that it is a choice that is more than a job.

“I think their motivation is to leave the world a better place. In fact, I often remind them that in giving, we receive. They have seen all the sides of a life in medicine and truly love the science of it. I am very honored and proud they chose to pick up a career in caring for people.”