Medicine Wards (UH/VA) - It is during these months at the University Hospital and the VA where you will learn the bread and butter of internal medicine. Both sites offer different patient populations for added diversity. Each hospital has 4 ward teams staffed by an attending, an upper level resident, 2 to 3 interns, 1 sub-intern, and third year medical students. Interns are on call every 4th night and stay overnight doing admissions and cross cover. Residents are relieved at 8 PM by the night float resident to continue admissions and assist the interns with questions, and the resident returns at 7 AM for post call rounds.
Cardiology (UH) - This inpatient cardiology month is staffed by upper level residents who are on call every 4th night and stay overnight. The team consists of the cardiology attending, cardiology fellow, and 4 residents. The patients are admitted to 7-South at the University Hospital, which is a designated cardiac sub-acute care floor. Occasionally unstable patients will be admitted to the MICU.
MICU (UH/VA) - These are our most intense learning months with high acuity patients, often times referred from all over the state and beyond. The University Hospital MICU team is staffed by one attending, one critical care fellow, 4 upper level residents, 4 interns, and 2 to 3 sub-interns. An intern and resident are on call overnight every fourth night, and the fellow is on home call. The University Hospital handles very high acuity patients from all over the state including hantavirus cases. The MICU team at the VA Hospital is staffed by one attending, one critical care fellow, 2 residents, 3 interns, and 1 to 2 sub-interns. Interns take day call while residents provide night coverage.
Night Float (UH/VA) - Night float rotations are staffed by 2 upper level residents for each month at each hospital. Responsibilities during this rotation include admitting patients with the interns as well as assisting them with questions. Night float residents relieve the ward resident at 9 PM and stay through post call rounds for the patients they admitted. Residents often enjoy this rotation because they feel that it simulates the hospitalist model. The schedule for the night float residents is:
| Week | Night Float Resident #1 | Night Float Resident #2 |
| 1 | On Duty | Clinic / BATCAVE |
| 2 | Reading week | On Duty |
| 3 | On Duty | Reading week |
| 4 | Clinic / BATCAVE | On Duty |
During the weeks labeled Clinic / BATCAVE, there is 1 full day of clinic scheduled as well as a day in the BATCAVE to brush up on procedural skills and ACLS with the simulator. Because of this arrangement, this means that, other than back up call, you do not have any on-call obligations during your elective and clinic months!
Cardiology Consult (VA) - Over the course of three years, one will likely do this rotation at least once. The cardiology consult service at the VA serves as the liason for ward teams since the wards admit CHF exacerbations and low risk ACS patients. You get very personalized teaching with the cardiology attendings and fellows during this rotation.
ER (UH) - This is a required rotation during the intern year, but many residents also choose to take this elective as an upper level as well.
Hematology/Oncology (UH) - This rotation is a busy one at the University Hospital that does not require overnight call but does handle fairly high acuity patients. You will likely rotate through Heme/Onc once as an intern and once as an upper level as well.
Gerontology (VA) - This is a required rotation that is done during your third year of residency. During this rotation, you will work with various attendings in a variety of settings including home visits, hospice, rehab, and nursing homes.
Medicine Follow-Up Clinic (UH) - A walk-in/urgent care clinic staffed by internal medicine residents. This clinic sees many of the hospital discharges who need close follow-up, as well as many ER patients who need a work-up but not inpatient services. This clinic also provides residents an outlet where their own patients who need a acute outpatient evaluation can be seen quickly. This clinic is required at least once during your 3 years at UNM.
Prime (VA) - This 2 month block is required during your 2nd year. This clinic takes on the role of urgent care/walk-in clinic for the VA. ER patients and hospital discharges are also followed through this clinic. During the Prime elective residents are expected to review journal articles and present an evidenced based medicine review during VA noon conference at least twice during the two months.
St. Vincent's Hospital (Santa Fe, NM) - This third year rotation in Santa Fe, NM is a popular one during the winter time because of its proximity to ski areas in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Many electives are offered, but the most popular ones include heme/onc, women's health, alternative medicine.
