Biography
Marlene Ballejos, PhD, MPA, is a Professor and Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Department of Family & Community Medicine and serves as Assistant Dean for Admissions at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Nationally recognized for her leadership in holistic review and inclusive admissions, she co-chairs both the School of Medicine Committee on Admissions and the Combined Baccalaureate/MD Program Committee on Admissions, where she helps shape policy and advance equity across medical education pathways. Dr. Ballejos has led efforts that significantly increased diversity and earned UNM national recognition. She has held numerous leadership roles with the AAMC, served on over a dozen national committees advancing diversity in medical education, and co-authored influential research on equitable admissions practices. A prolific scholar and award-winning educator, her work continues to shape policy and practice at both institutional and national levels.
Areas of Specialty
Her professional and research interests focus on medical school recruitment and admissions processes, diversifying the physician workforce, pipeline program evaluation and community engagement
Achievements & Awards
8/2025 - Nominated for The Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP) “Outstanding Faculty Research Award” for faculty whose rigorous, evidence-based research advances pathways and workforce development in STEMM
8/2025 - Nominated for the University of New Mexico School of Medicine “Martha Cole McGrew Faculty Award” for commitment to education and diversity
8/2023 - Recipient, “Scholarship Award”, Department of Family & Community Medicine,
University of New Mexico
8/2022 - Nominated for the University of New Mexico School of Medicine “Martha Cole McGrew Faculty Award” for commitment to education and diversity
9/2021 - Recipient, Group on Women in Medicine and Science, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), featured as a leader in Academic Medicine, Washington DC
3/2021 - Recipient, Western Group on Student Affairs “Exemplary Service Award”, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Washington DC
6/2020 - Recipient, “Citizenship Award”, Department of Family & Community Medicine,
University of New Mexico
Key Publications
Conference Proceeding
Clithero-Eridon, Amy, Ballejos, Marlene, 2021 Social Accountability through Community College Pre-Health Mentorship. Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Conference Reviewed for the
Conference Proceeding
Clithero-Eridon, Amy, Ballejos, Marlene, 2021 Social Accountability through a University and Community College Pre-Health Mentorship Activity. Beyond Flexner Alliance Virtual Conference Reviewed for the
Conference Proceeding
Ballejos, Marlene, 2021 The Road Less Traveled: Nontraditional Pathways to Medical School - Knowing When, Where and How to Re-Apply. Reviewed for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Virtual Medical School Fair
Gender
Female
Languages
- Eldredge JD
- Gonzales M
- Early Explorations of Holistic Review in Graduate Medical Education. J of Med Lib Assoc 2025:113(1):101-109. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2025.2030 <br><br>Clark C
- Crandall C
- English
Courses Taught
2024 - Small Group Facilitator, Course: Faculty Echo Mentor Development Program Module 5, “Understanding Diversity in Mentoring Relationship” Session. Small group format, case Studies. Spring 2024
2024 - Faculty Mentor, Course: Research II CLNS 902: “Research Perceptions and Barriers to Research Engagement of Combined Baccalaureate-MD Undergraduates” Block 2
2023 - Faculty Mentor, Course: Research 1 CLNS 901: Elective 1: “Implementation of a Multi-focal Undergraduate Research Initiative in a Combined BA-MD Program” Block 6
2023 - Faculty Mentor, Course: Research I CLNS 901: “Research Perceptions and Barriers to Research Engagement of Combined Baccalaureate-MD Undergraduates” Block 1
Research and Scholarship
Ballejos MP, Reira, J, Williams RL, Sapien RE. Objective Admissions Data and In-State Practice: What Can We Really Predict? Fam Med. 2025:57(6):435-438. DOI:10.22454/FamMed.2025.503525.
Lowe A, Clithero-Eridon A, Crandall C, Ballejos MP. Recruiting Community College Students into Health Professions Programs. Educ Health 2025:38(1):68-76. DOI: 10.62694/efn.2025.191
Knottenbelt SZ, Ballejos MP, Torrez D, Santos R, Hartley RS, Cartwright K, Fortner SA, Sapién RE, Romero-Leggott V. Evolution of a combined baccalaureate/medical degree program as a pipeline to primary care: retention strategies and lessons learned". Fam Pract. 2025 Feb 7;42(2):cmae066. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmae066. PMID: 39566029.
Dunivan GC