"They pushed me further than I thought was possible - for someone like me from a little town in New Mexico" - David Quintana   3rd Year Student   from Wagon Mound

Made in New Mexico by Cathleen Rineer-Garber Read about Leticia Cruz-Hinson The primary mission of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine is to educate physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals. Since 1964, the UNM School of Medicine has successfully built a reputation as a world-class medical school. For the past 13 years, US News and World Report has ranked UNM among the nation’s top 15 medical schools with a focus on primary care. For a state that is suffering from a severe shortage of physicians—especially in rural areas—having a nationally-recognized medical school is key to the future of health care in the state. UNM is not only preparing doctors to practice medicine, it’s preparing doctors to practice medicine in New Mexico. Read about Patrick Montoya, MD The UNM School of Medicine’s curriculum reflects this effort. Throughout their medical education, students are given opportunities to experience living and working in rural communities and providing care to underserved populations. According to Paul Roth, MD, Dean for the UNM School of Medicine, one of the most effective ways of keeping physicians in the state is to provide educational opportunities to native New Mexicans. “We know that there is a higher likelihood that physicians will return to communities where they graduated from high school,” he says. Roth says that physicians who complete their residency training in New Mexico are also more likely to practice in the state. Based on this information, the UNM School of Medicine develops programs to encourage New Mexicans to enter the medical field. Read about Jodi Casados Of the nearly 4,000 physicians who are licensed to practice in New Mexico, and are currently residing here, about one-third received their MD or residency training at UNM. These physicians can be found in 29 of the state’s 33 counties. UNM School of Medicine students also reflect the entire state's population. Of the 304 medical students currently enrolled, 224 graduated from New Mexico high schools. "Our current students come from 29 of the 33 counties, and represent more than 60 high schools from across the state," says Roth.   Missed a feature story? Click here to browse our features archive.

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