Department of Neurosurgery

Residency Program

Neurosurgery residents are chosen through the ERAS Match.

Please direct questions regarding the resident training program or visiting externships for currently enrolled medical students to: Pat Cleve, 505-272-3401

Introduction

New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment is a land of ancient cultural traditions and striking environmental diversity. The topography includes rugged deserts, national forests and snow-capped mountains. New Mexico is rich with natural wonders; cultural diversity, and ancient ruins. The food, art and culture of New Mexico are distinctive, as is the multicultural population. Albuquerque is centrally located within the state and at the base of the Sandia Mountains. The area is a mecca for outdoor sports with literally hundreds of miles of hiking and single-track mountain biking trails. New Mexico offers more including the world-renowned Taos Ski Valley and the annual Balloon Fiesta.

Long established agricultural and ranching traditions live alongside a rapidly developing technology industry. Since 1945, New Mexico has been a leader in technology research. Extensive collaboration exists between Los Alamos Scientific Laboratories, Sandia Laboratories, and many of the medical disciplines at the University of New Mexico Medical Center.

General Information

The University of New Mexico School of Medicine residency program in neurological surgery is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

The program is 5+1 with the preliminary year integrated into a six-year program. The training program prepares trainees for the certification examinations of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Residents also receive exposure to neuroscience research in addition to their clinical training. Additional perks for residents in the neurological surgery training program include:

Training Facilities

UNMH 383 bed tertiary care facility, with Emergency Department visits approximating 50,000 per year. This is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the state and Four Corners area.

VA Medical Center (VAMC)

VAMC The Albuquerque Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a tertiary referral center. There are 246 beds, including a 26-bed spinal cord injury center.

Curriculm

The PGY 1 resident (intern) is assigned to a three-month rotation on the neurology service during the academic year, in accordance with the ABNS requirements. The majority of the clinical year is spent on the general surgery service with required months in critical care various subspecialty services being fulfilled.

RY 1 resident year is predominantly clinical. The major goal is to establish the fundamental skills necessary to provide sound medical care for the neurological patients and a foundation for the development of complex surgical skills. Expertise in neuro-critical care and general-critical care medicine is honed during this years. Chief resident and faculty supervision assist in this educational endeavor.

RY 2 residents learn the fundamentals of the disciplines of neuropathology and neuroradiology during the first half of the year followed by an increased responsibility regarding patient care and surgical treatment at the VA.

RY 3 residents continue to increase surgical experience and gain exposure to academic neurosurgery by designing and implementing one or more research projects. It is expected that the resident will produce at least one refereed publication during this time.

RY 4 residents perform surgery and assume administrative responsibilities, consistent with that of a senior resident. The resident is the most senior resident at the VA thus assuming a significant increase in responsibility and supervision. A refinement of medical and surgical skills, commensurate with the level of training is expected.

RY 5 residents assume responsibility of the highly demanding University service as Chief Resident. Surgical, administrative and clinical skills are refined during this rotation.

Residency Benefits

Application Process

Neurosurgery residents are chosen through the ERAS Match.

Please direct questions regarding the resident training program or visiting externships for currently enrolled medical students to: Pat Cleve, 505-272-3401. Prospective applicants are encouraged to participate in a clinical rotation at UNM.