Year: Class of 2026
Why I Chose UNM: "I was able to rotate at UNM during medical school and I loved the people I worked with at the hospital as well as the awesome patients that I got to take care of. I also like all the outdoor activities New Mexico has to offer."
Hometown: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Year: Class of 2026
Why I Chose UNM: "I chose UNM because I knew the clinical training would prepare me to be an excellent anesthesiologist. The faculty at UNM are very supportive, which was another important factor for me. I also chose it because of its close proximity to various outdoor activities and being located in the southwest region."
Hometown: Orange County, CA
Year: Class of 2026
Why I Chose UNM: "I chose UNM because of the people and educational experience. We have a diverse patient base that’s great to learn from and our faculty is always willing to teach and engage with students and residents. It also helps that there is skiing and hiking near by!"
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Year: Class of 2026
Why I Chose UNM: "I chose UNM because it encompasses all the things I was looking for in a residency -a superb training environment with diverse patients and amazing faculty and coresidents—all in a setting with incredible access to trails and mountains."
Hometown: Anchorage, AK
Year: Class of 2026
Why I Chose UNM: "I was looking for a program in which camaraderie prevailed, with good people, and with patient diversity and exposure to different cases. One thing that stood out from UNM was that within the teaching faculty and the residents, the female to male ratio was higher when compared to other programs, which means they don’t want this program to be male dominated. Lastly, I had an awesome interview experience which made me rank UNM very high on my rank list."
Hometown: Rincon, Puerto Rico
Year: Class of 2026
Why I Chose UNM: "I really thought that the vibe here was impressive and exactly my kind of speed. I knew that residency was going to be 4 years, and that could be long or short depending on the people that I was surrounded by. I also believe that the culture of comradery and support would put me in the best possible position to succeed. Finally, I am all about finding a good balance between my work and play, and the easy access to the outdoors was just another selling point."
Hometown: Millbrae, CA
Year: Class of 2026
Why I Chose UNM: "That is an easy one for me. My experiences during my 4th year rotations in the Anesthesia department were amazing. Everyone from the Department Chair to the Attendings, Residents, Anesthesia Assistants and Techs were so supportive of my learning. They spent time teaching and provided me with amazing opportunities to do procedures and learn anything I had questions about. I love helping others learn and grow so I knew immediately UNM was the program I wanted to be a part for residency."
Hometown: Edgewood, NM
Year: Class of 2025
Why I Chose UNM: "I choose UNM because of the broad level of experience it provides to a budding anesthesiologist. There are so many opportunities to learn at UNM in such a supportive environment."
Hometown: New Providence, Bahamas
Dr. Adderley joined our department as a faculty clinician educator Fall 2025.
Year: Class of 2025
Why I Chose UNM: "Due to the COVID pandemic, my interview with UNM was conducted virtually. However, it was evident from their interactions on Zoom that staff, faculty, and residents were all very supportive and welcoming -- making for a positive learning environment. Albuquerque has not disappointed with its great weather and beautiful landscape."
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Year: Class of 2025
Why I Chose UNM: "Diverse patient population with a wide range of pathology, plenty of trauma, and friendly people/good vibes on my interview day. Also, there’s really no other program in the country with such a low cost of living plus such easy access to quality mountain recreation. I knew that spending time outdoors during residency would be important for my mental health, and Albuquerque has been an ideal place to make that happen."
Hometown: Alpine, UT
Year: Class of 2025
Why I Chose UNM: "My choice was multifaceted. I wanted to train at an academic institution with a level 1 trauma center and have exposure to patients with multiple comorbidities. I wanted to attend a residency where I would get broad exposure to all anesthesia subspecialties. Lastly, I wanted to be in close proximity to our family. UNM hit the mark on all of the aforementioned goals and I feel that I will come out of the program as a confident and well-rounded anesthesiologist."
Hometown: Glendale, AZ
Year: Class of 2025
Why I Chose UNM: "I was immediately drawn by the comradery and welcoming culture of the residents and faculty I experienced on my interview day. In addition to the beautiful backdrop of Albuquerque and my love for outdoor activities, I was confident UN< would provide me with the skills to be an exceptional anesthesiologist by caring and serving a diverse patient population."
Hometown: Buena Park, CA
Year: Class of 2025
Why I Chose UNM: "I wanted to work with a program that offered a strong trauma anesthesia education, very sick patients, and a sense of comradery amongst the residents and faculty. UNM fit perfectly with these goals, all while in the setting of a beautiful landscape and great weather."
Hometown: College Station, TX
Year: Class of 2025
Why I Chose UNM: "I chose UNM for a number of reasons. I felt the people and the leadership were supportive, innovative, and would put me in a position to succeed as an anesthesiologist. I think I will receive excellent training at UNM, will see a wide variety of cases, serve a unique patient population, and ultimately will have a tremendous residency experience. I love the city of Albuquerque and feel that is has a lot of offer in terms of food and outdoor activities. It also doesn't hurt to have over 300 days of sunshine."
Year: Class of 2025
Why I Chose UNM: "I chose to do residency in UNM because as a medical student here, I experienced firsthand the supportive learning environment and camaraderie in the department. Faculty and residents are friendly and approachable making this a great place for training! Also, as the only level 1 trauma center in NM, there is plenty of exposure to complex cases and trauma cases. Finally, I chose to return to NM because the state has so much to offer- from great outdoor activities, beautiful seasons, affordable living, good food, to of course green chile!"
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Year: Class of 2025
Why I Chose UNM: "The culture of camaraderie amongst the residents. We all help each other. The faculty is the same way! Also, the case volume at UNMH is diverse and high, but does not come at the expense of resident teaching or autonomy in the OR. Overall, I know I will leave UNM as a competent anesthesiologist ready to enter practice or subspecialize, whichever my future interests may dictate."
Hometown: Las Cruces, NM
Year: Class of 2023
Why I Chose UNM: "During medical school rotations I got a true sense of what UNM has to offer...We have a diverse faculty with a variety of backgrounds who are approachable and are willing to invest their time in our education. In addition, we have a patient population with a large variety of surgical pathologies to provide me with excellent training."
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Year: Class of 2022
Why I Chose UNM: "UNM has a large catchment area (all of NM and then some) and a small metro area (cheap housing/easy commute). We get all the good stuff like great penetrating trauma, we serve everyone regardless of ability to pay, and we have very sick patients and big cases without the hassle of a real big city."
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Dr. Freeman joined our department as a faculty clinician educator Fall 2023.
Year: Class of 2022
Why I Chose UNM: "Great collegiality, as well as a wide variety of cases."
Dr. Puracan joined our department as a faculty clinician educator Fall 2023 following the completion of his fellowship with UNM Anesthesiology.
Year: Class of 2022
Why I Chose UNM: "Growing up in New Mexico my entire life I always knew I wanted to serve the state that has given so much to me. New Mexico has a diverse and greatly underserved population...The residency program is small enough that you develop close relationships with your fellow residents and all the faculty know you on a first name basis."
Hometown: Grants, NM
Year: Class of 2021
Why I Chose UNM: "I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful landscape this city had to offer. People are warm and friendly. I certainly enjoy the year round sunny weather, perfect for outdoor activities"
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Dr. Merchant joined our department as a faculty clinician educator Fall 2021.