Welcome to the University of New Mexico. Our School of Medicine enjoys an international reputation for innovation and excellence in education. Our 5-year ACGME accredited program in General Surgery continues that tradition in our commitment to train not only the next generation of surgeons, but the next generation of leader in surgery.
The University of New Mexico Medical Center is the only academic medical center in the state, with a catchment that includes parts of eastern Arizona, southern Colorado and western Texas. We have a very busy trauma service with the only level 1 trauma center in the state. Our Cancer Research and Treatment Center is the nation’s newest NCI Designated Cancer Center. Construction is underway on a $90 million state of the art ambulatory cancer treatment facility scheduled for completion in February 2009. The Barbara and Bill Richardson Pavilion opened in June 2007 and houses Emergency services, the Intensive Care Units, Obstetrics and the UNM Children’s Hospital.
Our commitment to education is seen in the January 2007 opening of the Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education, where we hold our weekly Grand Rounds, Morbidity and Mortality and resident didactic conferences. The B.A.T.C.A.V.E. medical simulation program was one of the first 6 American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes and is the basis for our surgical simulation curriculum. Our energetic faculty enjoys partnering with residents in the care of patients so that an inquisitive environment exists where everyone is learning.
The quality of our house staff is the strongest selling point of our training program. Our residents come from all parts of the US and the world and match the diversity inherent in New Mexico. Time spent with our residents will certainly whet your appetite to be a part of our program. They demonstrate a remarkable dedication both to their patients and to their own education. And they are rewarded for their hard work with desirable fellowships and job offers based on their reputations as excellent clinicians, surgeons and leaders.
Finally, we do all this in the setting of the beautiful American Southwest. Albuquerque is located at an elevation of over 5,000 feet in the middle of the Rio Grande Valley at the base of the majestic Sandia Mountains. This is a setting ideal for the outdoor enthusiast with great biking, hiking, skiing and fishing all within 30 minutes of the University. And once you acquire a taste for our red and green chile, you will never want to leave.
If you choose the University of New Mexico for your surgical training, I commit to working tirelessly to offer you the best training experience available. In return, I expect from you the pursuit of excellence. I look forward to traveling down this road together.
Sincerely,
M. Timothy Nelson, MD, FACS
Associate Professor and Program Director
Director of the Center for Excellence in Surgical Education
