Cardiology
Jonathan Abrams came to Albuquerque in 1968 as an army captain to serve as the cardiologist at the Sandia Base (now Kirtland East) hospital. After his military service, he began his long association with the VA Hospital and then BCMC (now UNM Hospital).
Dr. Abrams was chief of cardiology from 1976 to 1991. He traveled the world to speak at medical conferences. He was known for his compassionate concern for patients and their families. He retired in October 2008.
Dr. Abrams left a legacy at UNM HSC not only as a physician but as a patron of the arts. He and Ms. Abrams donated many pieces of art to UNM, the Albuquerque Museum, the Art Museum of New Mexico in Santa Fe, and the Capitol Art Collection.
The Jonathan Abrams, MD Art Gallery was started in 1991 to give New Mexico artists a place to display their artwork and to provide a venue for our patients and staff to view contemporary art. The gallery hosts six exhibitions per year. The gallery space is located in the fifth floor hallway of the Ambulatory Care Center at UNM Hospital.
Jon Abrams was one of my favorite mentors as a resident at UNM, and I still remember him fondly and often, and the many things he taught me. Thank you for the legacy you left behind, Jon.
I well remember Dr Abrams. Beyond his mastery of Cardiology and the empathy he demonstrated as he dealt with patients, he was an excellent teacher and generous Colleague. He had a wonderful way which drew you closer and an appropriate sense of humor that was displayed with all his interactions. He loved New Mexico, Albuquerque and UNM medicine. He was proud of his wife, her business and became an avid art collector. I looked forward to seeing him in San Francisco and to my visits to New Mexico. His was a loss felt in many places. My condolences to family, friends and colleagues.