Chief Residents' Letter

Welcome to the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at the University of New Mexico! Thank you for your interest in our residency program. As chief residents, we’ve had the privilege of training in a uniquely dynamic environment, and we’re pleased to share an inside perspective on what makes UNM an outstanding place to grow as a physician and anesthesiologist.

UNM Hospital is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in New Mexico and serves as a major referral center for the region. We provide anesthetic care across a high volume of complex surgical cases, including advanced minimally invasive procedures, pediatric and neonatal surgery, vascular and neurosurgery, as well as thoracic and cardiac cases. Our hospital also functions as a tertiary referral center for high-risk obstetrics, offering specialized care for patients with significant maternal-fetal comorbidities. We’re proud to have earned the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) Center of Excellence designation in recognition of our comprehensive peripartum care.

Residents rotate through a broad spectrum of clinical sites—including UNM Hospital, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Sandoval Regional Medical Center, and our outpatient surgical center (OSIS)—to ensure well-rounded exposure across all anesthetic subspecialties. Our Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, designated as an ECMO Center of Excellence, provides extensive experience managing complex critical care patients, with direct involvement in extracorporeal life support, invasive monitoring, and advanced ventilatory strategies.

A key strength of our training lies in our robust regional anesthesia and ultrasound curriculum. At OSIS, residents develop early proficiency in peripheral nerve blocks for a variety of outpatient procedures. At our main hospital, the Acute Pain Service delivers regional anesthesia across diverse surgical populations including thoracic, orthopedic, vascular, and obstetric patients. In addition, we host an annual National Regional Anesthesia and Perioperative Ultrasound Conference, underscoring our department’s commitment to technical excellence and education in point-of-care ultrasound.

Our chronic pain rotation provides comprehensive interdisciplinary training, including fluoroscopy-guided procedures, neuromodulation techniques, and management of intrathecal drug delivery systems. The rotation integrates medical, procedural, and biopsychosocial approaches to pain medicine.

We prioritize a culture of support and collaboration. From the beginning of residency, trainees are mentored by both senior residents and faculty who are dedicated to clinical excellence and professional development. Our formal mentorship structure supports residents through research engagement, career planning, and personal growth. Whether your goals involve academic medicine, private practice, or fellowship, you will find the guidance you need to succeed.

Outside the hospital, Albuquerque offers an exceptional quality of life. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, the region offers year-round access to outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and white-water rafting. Northern New Mexico is home to alpine lakes, scenic byways, and some of the best skiing in the Southwest. The city itself is rich in culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, making it a great place to live and unwind outside of training.

If you’re seeking a program that combines high-acuity clinical experience, diverse subspecialty exposure, and a collegial learning environment, we believe the University of New Mexico offers an ideal setting for residency training.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to answer any questions and look forward to connecting with you.