The responsibility of being a new physician and the strain of long work hours are offset by an open and supportive work environment, a strong sense of collegiality, and a residency philosophy that embraces diversity and recognizes the importance personal and family wellness. Most importantly, living in New Mexico means that when not at work in the hospital, residents are surrounded by a beautiful landscape with a vast array of activities and opportunities open to them.
Duty hours limitations (often referred to as the "80 hour work week"), as set forth by ACGME, are respected and enforced in our program. Efforts to understand and adhere to these new guidelines were made early and swiftly, and the organization of our rotations reflects this. Because of strong support and respect within our department, these requirements are achieved with relative ease.
Our program is dynamic and reflects the values of our residents. The program leadership, from the chair to the program directors and coordinator recognize how crucial it is to have residents as full partners in the administration and operation of a vibrant, thriving training program. Housestaff meetings are held monthly and function as a forum for residents not only to express concerns, but to put forth creative ideas for expanding and improving our training experience. Our doors are always open to address any issue, from life inside or outside the walls of the hospital. Our Residency Training Committee, Education Curriculum Committee and other standing committees are resident driven groups that rely on houseofficer ideas and energy. Our Selection Committee is composed of a majority of residents, ensuring that you will play a major role in selecting your peers.
Each resident is able to select a faculty member from within the department to serve as mentor and advocate. The goal of our mentor system is to provide another, more personalized, venue of support for our residents. As with most aspects of our program, the advisor system is flexible, meaning that residents are given the opportunity to work with an attending of their choice. This mentoring relationship is used to help address professional goals, seek advice, and build friendships.
The hierarchy created by more traditional medical school culture does not exist within our program. Residents of all levels interact directly with attendings as colleagues. We have very few fellows, and faculty and housestaff alike relish the close working relationship we share. Communication is recognized as one of the most important tools for learning, and is open and active not only among residents, but also between residents and faculty.
The friendships shared by housestaff are vital. They transform the workplace into a positive, nurturing environment and ensure a strong network of support. This also means that residents frequently meet outside the hospital to celebrate their free time together at local restaurants, bars, venues, sports events, and parks. While most of these outings occur spontaneously, there are also various organized events interspersed throughout the year. As we say above, we work hard and play hard, and we do both together.
Residents in our program come from all over the country, from a variety of different backgrounds and with a wealth of different experiences. They each bring a unique set of values, ambitions and hopes to the program, and this is constantly being celebrated.
Whether one’s family is in New Mexico, or elsewhere, we recognize the vital role that family plays in the personal and professional development of our residents. Our families can consist of parents and siblings, spouses, partners, children and friends and while we all come from different backgrounds, we all become a unique family together.
Every February, interns are relieved of all duties for three days. Interns, their families, the residency directors and coordinator, and a few lucky faculty invited specifically by the intern class, meet in Taos at the historic Mabel Dodge Luhan House for free skiing, delicious food, great discussions and lots of fun. The aim of this retreat is to give hard-working interns some much needed diversion during a very busy time of year: the chance to reflect, relax, play, laugh and share.
Each October, all interns are released from clinical duties for 2 days to develop skills essential for advocating for children at the legislative level. There they work with a diverse group of teachers, including lobbyists, legislators, health care providers and families to learn more about the legislative process in New Mexico and practice these skills as part of a multi-disciplinary coalition.
Help in September, all second year residents are freed from clinical duties and they spend the day together. The retreat focuses on career planning and teaching skills. Outside speakers include experts on physician recruiting and career planning as well as former residents who help us better understand life in the “real world." Interactive workshops help us become better teachers for our colleagues and students, and focus on learning styles and giving more effective presentations.
Held in August, all third year residents are freed of all clinical duties, and spend a day gaining clinical skills in the state of the art UNM BATCAVE Simulation Lab, culminating in recertification in PALS. The afternoon is spent building on the career planning begun during the R-2 retreat. Topics include applying for jobs, contract negotiations, and practice management. There is time to talk, share and prepare for the year ahead and beyond!
Dept. of Pediatrics, UNMH 3 Ambulatory Care Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131 | Phone: (505) 272-5551 | Fax: (505) 272-6845
Sure, having children in residency can be tough, but New Mexico is a great
place to raise a family. Those of us with children have found a great
variety of things to do and the time to do them. Our family likes to
hike the Petroglyphs, swim at the many local pools, and go to the
children's museum, the zoo, the aquarium and botanical gardens, the
National Hispanic museum, or one of the many parks with playgrounds
within walking distance from our home. You can't beat New Mexico weather
for outdoor fun -- we love hiking on the nearby 10,000 foot Sandias
year-round and camping in the Jemez Mountains, a ponderosa and aspen
paradise just over an hour's drive away (ask me sometime about the art
of smelling ponderosa bark!). Santa Fe is also an easy drive with its
many state museums and cultural fare. And, of course, kids can play
soccer and baseball, take music, gymnastics or ballet classes, go to the
many community libraries, or tag along with their parents to a variety
of kid-friendly residency activities and parties. And did I mention how
affordable the housing is compared to other places we've lived?