Information for Applicants to the UNM Thoracic Surgery Residency Program


Eligibility Requirements for Application:

  1. To be eligible for a training position a physician must be a graduate of an LCME accredited medical school in the United States or Canada or an AOA accredited osteopathic school in the United States.


  2. Completion of an ACGME-approved general surgery residency and American Board of Surgery eligibility or certification.


  3. Graduates of international medical schools must hold a current valid ECFMG certificate or possess a full and unrestricted license to practice in the State of New Mexico, or have completed a Fifth Pathway program in an LCME accredited medical school.


  4. Physicians who are not U.S. citizens must have a valid work permit or a J-1 visa. All J-1 visas are sponsored by the ECFMG.


Resident Selection:

  • Eligible applicants will be considered based on their preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity. The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery will not discriminate with regard to sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.


    • Application Process:

    1. Thoracic Surgery Residency positions at the University of New Mexico are matched via the
      National Resident Matching Program. We participate in the ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service), hosted by the Association of American Medical Colleges. The deadline for submission is three weeks prior to the closing of the Match Deadline of the respective year.


      2. You may access the ERAS web site at: http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/

    2. ERAS Application


      3. A completed ERAS application consists of :

        • Common Application format

        • Personal Statement

        • An official copy of the USMLE or COMLEX transcript
            • USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX Level 1 (passing score required)
            • USMLE Step 2CK or COMLEX Level 2CE (when score is available)
            • We do not require the Step 2 Clinical Skills or COMLEX 2PE results before our rank list is submitted
        • Dean's Letter
            • We recognize that most foreign medical schools do not issue dean's letters. Therefore, we do not require that Foreign Medical Graduates submit this document. However, if your medical school did issue a dean's letter, we ask that you submit it with your application. If you do not have a dean's letter, please indicate this on the ERAS Common Application form. Other criteria for FMG applicants are the same as that for U.S. medical school graduates.
        • Medical School Transcript

        • Three to four letters of recommendation. These letters should be from physicians who can speak to your personal and professional characteristics and work ethic.

    For further information, please E-Mail or write to:

    Jorge Wernly, M.D., Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Program Director
    University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
    Department of Surgery
    Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
    MSC 10 5610
    1 University of New Mexico
    Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
    (505) 272-6901