Maria Montoya, MD

Biography

I am passionate about medical education and both didactic and surgical teaching of medical students and residents. I am committed to improving and developing the medical education of all learners in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. I have been accepting learners into my private, continuity clinics since I was a third year resident for a specialty exploration experience. I am currently the Clerkship Director for the core OB/GYN clerkship for phase II medical students. I orient the students to the clerkship, supervise standardized sensitive pelvic exams, guide them through a suture and knot-tying workshop and provide timely, in-person feedback. I have mentored a multitude of medical students beginning in Phase I of medical school. I continue to regularly take phase I and phase II medical students both at my private clinic at Sandoval Regional Medical Center and at the University Women’s Health Clinic. I also mentor 4th year medical students who have chosen a career in OB/Gyn as they prepare and apply for residency through the electronic residency application service (ERAS) and foster an intensive ‘Bootcamp’ before beginning residency. I mentor third year medical students during their OB/Gyn clerkship and deliver lectures on STDs, Postpartum Hemorrhage and OB Simulation of Vaginal delivery and Foley placement. I designed and implemented a curriculum on Labor and Delivery topics for Ob/GYN medical students, residents, Family Medicine Interns and Anesthesia Interns. I work closely with residents and have mentored 4 residents in my four years as faculty. I especially work closely with 2nd year residents while at Sandoval Regional Medical Center and feel privileged to be the faculty member that guides these residents through their first major gynecologic surgery. In this regard, I provide a structured approach and timely feedback. I also guide residents in my private clinics, in the OR and on Labor and Delivery. I regularly volunteer to teach in the Gynecology Surgical Skills Simulation curriculum which allows learning and practice of surgical skills in a low stakes and safe environment. I plan to start a student wellness and resiliency curriculum and am working across departments and institutions in this regard. In addition, I have been privileged to be an invited lecturer locally, regionally and internationally.

Personal Statement

Montoya received a B.S. Degree in Cellular, Molecular Biology from San Diego State University (2005) and a Doctorate in Medicine (MD) from the University of New Mexico (2012). Following her MD, she completed residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of New Mexico (2016) and was Administrative Chief Resident. She became board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2017 and is active member. She is completing a fellowship in Integrative Medicine through the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona. She is the Clerkship Director for the OB/GYN clerkship and Director of Diversity for the Department of OB/GYN.

Areas of Specialty

General Obstetrics and Gynecology

Certifications

[American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology]

[State of New Mexico Medical Board]

[DEA Controlled Substance]

[NM Board of Pharmacy]

Achievements & Awards

[Learning Environment Office: Excellence in Teaching, 2020]

[Learning Environment Office: Excellence in Teaching]

[Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Excellence in Teaching Award, 2018]

[Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Early Career Women Faculty Professional Development Seminar - nominated by UNM SOM and selected from a competitive pool, 2018]

[Excellence in Teaching in Medical Student Education - awarded by UNM SOM, 2017-2019]

[Michael P. Aronson Junior Faculty Scholarship, Society of Gynecologic Surgeons Annual Course in Advanced Gynecologic Surgery. Chicago, IL., 2017]

[Administrative Chief Resident - elected by faculty and residents, 2015-2016]

[Excellence in Teaching in Medical Student Education as a Resident - awarded by UNM SOM, 2013-2016]

[Resident Research Award: Best poster presentation, University of New Mexico Women’s Health Symposium, June 2013: “Nitrous Oxide in First Trimester Surgical Abortion”, 2014]

[Women in Science Scholarship - awarded by San Diego State Alumni Association, 2004]

Key Publications

Journal Article
Montoya, Maria, Krantz, TE, Andrews, Nicholas, Petersen, T, Dunivan, Gena, Swanson, Naomi, Wenzl, C, Zambrano, J, Komesu, Yuko, 2019 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Gynecology Patients with Chronic Pelvic Pain: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 134, Issue 5, 1087-1095
Journal Article
Montoya, Maria, Krantz, TE, Andrews, Nicholas, Petersen, T, Dunivan, Gena, Swanson, Naomi, Wenzl, C, Zambrano, J, Komesu, Yuko, 2019 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Gynecology Patients with Chronic Pelvic Pain: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 134, Issue 5, 1087-1095
Journal Article
Montoya, Maria, Singh, RH, Espey, Eve, Leeman, Lawrence, 2017 Nitrous oxide versus oral sedation for pain management of first-trimester surgical abortion-a randomized study Contraception, vol. 96, Issue 2, 118-123

Gender

Female

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Courses Taught

10/2020: “STI’s: newest evidence”. Ambulatory Gynecology. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident School. University of New Mexico.

10/2020: “Student Mistreatment: Review and Next Steps”. Inpatient Obstetrics. Labor & Delivery Unit, RN Supervisors. University of New Mexico.

06/2020: “STI, Vaginitis and Infertility, Oh My!”. Ambulatory Gynecology. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Intern Orientation. University of New Mexico.

10/2019: “Postpartum hemorrhage” Medical Student Lecture. University of Rwanda- College of Medicine & Health Sciences. Kigali, Rwanda.

07/2019: “Medical Student Education- Why to Take Teaching Seriously” Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Education. University of New Mexico.

06/2019: “Postpartum Hemorrhage” Phase II Medical Student Lecture. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical Student Core Lecture series (recurrent every eight weeks). University of New Mexico.

04/2019: “Student Documentation and Mistreatment” Department Faculty Meeting. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. University of New Mexico.

Research and Scholarship

I have varied research interests in general obstetrics and gynecology. I presented and published in a notable journal on alternative pain control for surgical abortions in the first trimester. I am currently working on researching risk factors for pelvic pain. All of these projects further my commitment to being an excellent evidence-based provider and educator.

07/2020 - 11/2020 I designed a novel virtual curriculum for Phase II medical students encompassing all general OB/GYN topics and the OB/GYN subspecialties. This 3 week curricula culminated in students taking the NBME OB/GYN Shelf Examination. This curricula was very well received by students and volunteer speakers. Over 45 topics are covered with weekly assessments and I held regular office hours. Learners include 3rd year medical students, Physician Assistant students.

08/2017 - Current I have designed and implemented a curriculum on Labor and Delivery topics. These 16 topics are reviewed weekly and include weekly assessment with quizzes and associated feedback. Learners include medical students, OB/Gyn residents, Family Medicine residents, and Anesthesiology residents.

2017 - Current I updated and implemented a curriculum on topics pertinent to Obstetrics and Gynecology for 3rd year clerkship students. Topics are covered in general OB/GYN and the sub-specialties. Includes didactic, flipped classroom and simulation stations. Learners include 3rd year medical students.

2016 - Current I regularly administer and update a curriculum on general gynecology. Learners include medical students, OB/Gyn residents.