Dr. Nizhoni Denipah is a board-certified otolaryngologist with over 13 years of experience delivering high-level care in disorders of the ear, nose and throat. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she provides precise, evidence-based care at Santa Fe ENT with a direct, patient-centered approach.
Born in Santa Fe, Dr. Denipah comes from a family deeply rooted in community, culture, and the arts. Her family’s longstanding commitment to creating and sharing Native American art and revitalizing the Native American hoop dance in Northern New Mexico instilled in her a deep appreciation for cultural connection, service and tradition. Those values were further shaped by family teachings of humility, kindness, and resilience, as well as by the example of her late grandmother, a nurse and educator who served communities throughout Northern New Mexico. Drawing on this legacy, Dr. Denipah approaches medicine with both clinical expertise and compassion, taking time to understand each patient’s experiences, needs, and goals.
Dr. Denipah’s approach to medicine reflects a distinctive blend of art and science. Her prior experience as a jeweler has cultivated the precision, dexterity, and attention to detail that complement her medical knowledge, surgical expertise and approach to complex anatomy.
As a physician of American Indian heritage, Dr. Denipah brings a broader perspective to health and healing, grounded in cultural teachings. She carries a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge and traditional healing practices. This perspective shapes her patient care philosophy, emphasizing respect, connection and a deeper understanding of each patient’s experience. Dr. Denipah serves on the board of the Association of American Indian Physicians and the Native American Advised Fund. She has also contributed to national efforts through her work with the American Medical Association, the Indigenous School of Medicine, the Native American Surgical Society.
Education & Training
- University of Arizona — Master of Science in Physiological Sciences
- University of New Mexico School of Medicine — Doctor of Medicine
- University of New Mexico Hospital — Residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
