Department of Pediatrics

The faculty, staff and students of the Department of Pediatrics are committed to providing the children of New Mexico with comprehensive family centered healthcare that is unequaled in the state and region. Through advanced medical science and an abiding concern for the wellbeing of children to improve and restore health for New Mexico's youngest residents.

Read the Welcome Letter from Department Chair

Department of Pediatrics Endowed Chair

The UNM Department of Pediatrics is pleased to announce the establishment of its first two endowed faculty positions. The first endowment is named for T. John Gribble, M.D., and will support the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. The second endowment is named for John D. Johnson, M.D. The Johnson Endowment will create a permanent source of funding to support the chair of the Department of Pediatric. Click here to learn more.

UNM Center for Development and Disability Launches Online Disability Resource Directory

The Information Center for New Mexicans with Disabilities, a program within the Center for Development and Disability has launched a new online Disability Resource Directory. This searchable database includes New Mexico programs, agencies and organizations that serve individuals with disabilities. To access the Directory, visit the Center for Development and Disability Website and click on the Resource Directory link.

N.M. woman physician pioneer among first SOM faculty

By Lauren Cruse

At six years old, Alice Cushing knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. It was 1937 in Lovington, New Mexico. Cushing’s father sustained an injury and had to stay in the hospital in Hobbs. When he came home, he couldn’t wait to tell the family about the doctor he had.

"I remember how astounded my father was because he had a woman doctor," Cushing said. "When he told us that, it made me think that’s what I want to do someday. If there’s a woman doctor, then I can be one too."

After studying at the University of Michigan for two years, Cushing completed her bachelor’s at UNM. At the time, UNM didn’t have a medical school and was paying tuition for in-state students to study medicine out of state. She chose the University of Colorado and graduated in 1956 with her M.D.

Cushing returned to Albuquerque and was part of the first group of interns appointed to the then Bernalillo County Indian Hospital—one of seven interns appointed and the only woman in the group. Her internship at BCIH rotated her through several departments to get the full spectrum of medicine. She also did a two-year surgery residency at the Veterans Affairs Hospital.

Cushing later helped a friend at his general practice, where she found she enjoyed working with children most.

Cushing’s interest in pediatrics led her back to BCIH, where she worked as a pediatric resident. She later became one of the first faculty members at the UNM School of Medicine. She retired in 1996 after 30 years with the Department of Pediatrics.

Cushing said working with residents was one of the most rewarding parts of being a professor. "I felt we were co-equal in knowing patient care and that made working with them enjoyable."

Her legacy continues at UNM through her son, Tom Cushing, faculty at the UNM Department of Pediatrics. His area of expertise is genetics.

Alice Cushing is an honorary guest at the upcoming UNM Health Sciences and Informatics Center Exhibit, "Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America’s Women Physicians," April 10-May 20 at the UNM Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education.