University of New Mexico School of Medicine Program

The Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine in Albuquerque is designed to prepare medical professionals to become competent, competitive, and compassionate internists. Whether one's aspiration is to pursue an academic sub-specialty or rural primary care, the program is committed to providing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive training environment supported by dedicated faculty. The curriculum offers vast clinical exposure and innovation, allowing residents to tailor their learning experience to meet their professional goals 1.

UNM features a range of Internal Medicine Fellowships, encompassing specialties like Addiction Medicine, Cardiology, Clinical Informatics, Critical Care, Endocrinology, Geriatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Nephrology, Palliative Care, Pulmonary/Critical Care, Rheumatology, and Sleep Medicine 1.

UNM Hospital, along with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, are the primary teaching hospitals and the only Level-1 Trauma Center in the state. These institutions serve as referral centers for a broad geographic area, extending into neighboring states. The program benefits from this unique clinical setting, providing residents with invaluable experiences in treating a diverse patient population, particularly in under-served communities 1.

Training Sites and Rotation Structure

The residency curriculum includes rotations at UNM Hospital, VA Medical Center, Sandoval Regional Medical Center, and several other affiliate sites. These rotations offer a blend of inpatient and outpatient experiences across various internal medicine specialties.

Required Rotations

Mandatory rotations include diverse settings such as:

• Medicine Wards (VA & UH)
• UH Hospitalist
• MICU (VA & UH)
• Nightfloat (VA & UH)
• PRIME Outpatient Clinic (VA)
• Geriatrics
• Cardiology

Elective Rotations

Residents are encouraged to choose elective rotations that align with their personal interests, facilitating experiences in both traditional and non-traditional specialties. Electives span areas including but not limited to Allergy/Immunology, Dermatology, Palliative Care, Medical Economics, and even unique opportunities like Integrative Medicine 4.

Curriculum and Didactics

The curriculum promotes a supportive learning environment characterized by mutual respect, intellectual curiosity, and resident teamwork. It emphasizes protected academic time, with structured didactics that occur during resident half-days 2. In addition, a variety of scholarly activities are required, culminating in presentations at esteemed medical conferences.

Research opportunities are encouraged, with designated time allocated for residents to conduct their projects. The program has robust support, including access to the Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center (HSLIC), facilitating research and scholarly activity 2.

Competitiveness and Diversity

The program is recognized for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, welcoming residents from diverse backgrounds globally. It is seen as particularly friendly towards DO and IMG applicants. Competitive selection criteria exist; however, the exact requirements can vary, and applicants are encouraged to check specific prerequisites tailored for international medical graduates and those who have faced challenges in their prior medical testing 2.

Visa Support

The UNM Internal Medicine Residency Program offers visa support for international applicants. The program sponsors J-1 visas, which allows international medical graduates the opportunity to receive training in the United States. Specific details about visa sponsorship should be confirmed during the application process, as policies can change.