Patricia W. Finn, MD
Dean, UNM School of Medicine
Patricia W. Finn, MD, is the fourth dean in the history of The University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine, and the first female Dean. She joined UNM from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, where she served as Chair of the Department of Medicine, associate dean for Strategic Initiatives, and associate program director of the Medical Scientist Training Program. She also held the Earl M. Bane Endowed Professorship and faculty appointments in Microbiology, Immunology, and Bioengineering.
Dr. Finn earned her medical degree and completed residency in Internal Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She trained in pulmonary medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and completed a research fellowship in immunology at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Dr. Finn is a nationally respected clinician, teacher and physician-scientist whose work integrates scientific discovery with compassionate care. A former president of the American Thoracic Society and the Association of Professors of Medicine, she has led national and international initiatives to advance academic medicine, promote inclusion, and improve health outcomes.
Her research focuses on the microbiome and immune-mediated pulmonary diseases, including asthma, sarcoidosis, transplantation, and lung injury. Her newest work focuses on incorporating the use of artificial intelligence into modern medical education. She has received sustained NIH funding, published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and chapters, and served on multiple editorial boards. She is a member of the Association of American Physicians and the American Clinical and Climatological Association, and the Administration Board of the AAMC Council of Deans.
The daughter of Irish immigrants, Dr. Finn was the first in her family to attend college and become a physician. Raised in New York City’s Alphabet City section of the East Village, she brings a strong ethic of service, resilience, and compassion to her work. Her leadership is grounded in the UNM School of Medicine's mission: to provide exceptional care for all, enhance scholarly activity, train the next generation of health professionals, and foster inclusion.