Ursa Brown Glaberman, MD

Meet Ursa Brown Glaberman, MD

Dr. Ursa A. Brown-Glaberman, MD, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and a highly skilled medical oncologist. She graduated with high honors from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in History. Dr. Brown-Glaberman was a post-sophomore fellow in the Department of Pathology at the University of New Mexico and earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

She completed an internship, residency, and chief residency in internal medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Following this, she completed a fellowship in the Section of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson, where she also served as chief fellow for a year.

Dr. Brown-Glaberman recently served as an Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. She has received numerous honors and awards and has been published in multiple publications, reflecting her dedication to research and patient care.

Clinical Expertise and Background

Dr. Ursa Brown-Glaberman is a board-certified medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer and gastrointestinal cancers. She is the Director of the Clinical Trials Program at CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center in Santa Fe, where she leads efforts to expand access to innovative cancer therapies for patients across New Mexico.

A native of New Mexico, Dr. Brown-Glaberman earned her medical degree from the University of New Mexico and completed her residency and fellowship at the University of Arizona. Being from New Mexico growing up near Silver City in the southwestern part of the state enables her to provide compassionate, culturally responsive care to the state’s diverse population.

Academic Leadership and Research

Before joining CHRISTUS Health, Dr. Brown-Glaberman served for over a decade at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she led the Breast Cancer Program and later served as Medical Director for Clinical Research. In these roles, she led statewide collaborations to decentralize clinical trials, making groundbreaking treatments accessible to rural and underserved communities.

Her research focuses on developing and optimizing targeted therapies and identifying predictive biomarkers for breast cancer. She has led numerous clinical trials investigating novel drug combinations, particularly for aggressive subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer and has contributed to studies exploring circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a tool for monitoring recurrence. She has authored or co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and is recognized nationally for her expertise in precision oncology.

Innovations in Breast Cancer Treatment

Dr. Brown-Glaberman is deeply engaged in advancing personalized treatments for breast cancer. She is at the forefront of introducing new targeted therapies such as PI3K inhibitors (alpelisib), AKT inhibitors (capivasertib), PARP inhibitors, immunotherapy, and antibody-drug conjugates for specific tumor mutations. Her expertise lies in determining which patients are most likely to benefit from these innovative approaches and helping them access the most promising therapies on the horizon.

Clinical Trials & Reaching Rural Communities

A pioneer in decentralizing clinical research, Dr. Brown-Glaberman has established partnerships across New Mexico with the goal of allowing patients in small towns to participate in clinical trials without long-distance travel. By creating collaborative networks and monthly trial-planning meetings with oncologists statewide, she has reduced barriers and improved access for rural patients. Her work ensures that innovative treatments are not confined to large academic centers but reach patients where they live.

Health Equity and Outreach

Dr. Brown-Glaberman is a passionate advocate for equitable cancer care. She has worked extensively with Native American and Hispanic communities to address cultural and systemic barriers that limit access to treatment and research. As a New Mexican and participant in FDA panels focused on trial diversity, she is committed to building trust, engaging minority populations, and ensuring inclusive oncology care for all—whether women, men, transgender individuals, or those from underserved backgrounds.

Recognition and Patient Advocacy

Dr. Brown-Glaberman’s dedication to advancing cancer research and patient care has been recognized with prestigious honors, including the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award. She is also a sought-after speaker, having participated in FDA panels, national conferences, and community education forums. Her media appearances often focus on cancer prevention, early detection, and the importance of clinical trial participation.

Patient Education and Survivorship

Deeply committed to patient education, Dr. Brown-Glaberman emphasizes early detection, genetic counseling for high-risk families, and survivorship care that addresses both medical and quality-of-life concerns. She also advocates reducing treatment toxicity when possible, ensuring that patients not only survive cancer but thrive beyond treatment.

Through her leadership, research, and compassionate care, Dr. Ursa Brown-Glaberman continues to shape the future of oncology in New Mexico—bridging academic excellence with community-focused innovation.