FAQs

What is the UNM Clinical Informatics Fellowship?

The UNM Clinical Informatics Fellowship is a two-year, ACGME-accredited training program that prepares physicians to become leaders in healthcare technology and innovation. Fellows gain hands-on experience in health IT systems, clinical data science, quality improvement, and leadership.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be board-eligible or board-certified in a clinical specialty. You do not need to be an internist or have a background in computer science or engineering.

Where is the program based?

The fellowship is housed at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and includes collaboration with the VA Hospital, UNM Hospital, School of Medicine departments, and other institutional partners.

What types of projects do fellows work on?

Fellows engage in projects focused on:

• Quality improvement and process redesign
• Data mining and clinical data analysis
• EHR implementation and optimization
• Clinical decision support and documentation templates
• MPages and custom clinician interfaces
• SPHEE projects and system integration

Are projects collaborative?

Yes, all projects are aligned with institutional priorities and involve collaboration with leadership from HSC, VA, SOM, Quality Improvement, Nursing, and Pharmacy.

How much clinical work do fellows do?

Fellows work clinically about 20% of the time in their home specialty. This helps keep them connected to patient care and supports project relevance.

Is there a formal curriculum?

Yes. Fellows complete the Health and Clinical Informatics Certificate through Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and participate in the UNM Biomedical Informatics Lecture Series.

What skills will I gain?

Fellows build skills in:

• Project and change management
• Clinical system design and implementation
• Data analytics and reporting
  Public health informatics
• Leadership and team collaboration

Who are the core faculty?

• Dr. Kendall Rogers – Program Director, Professor and Senior Vice Chair for Inpatient Clinical Services
• Dr. Jonathan Eldredge- Associate Program Director, Biomedical Informatics and Research
• Dr. Giselle Sosa – Core Faculty, Research & Implementation Science Expert
• Dr. Meghan Brett – Core Faculty, Infectious Diseases, QI & Patient Safety
• Dr. John Williams- Core Faculty, Pulmonology and Critical Care, ACMIO

What makes the UNM program unique?

• Strong mentorship from experienced CMIOs
• Full access to clinical databases and decision-making processes
• Interprofessional collaboration with pharmacy and nursing informatics programs
• Opportunities to lead system-wide initiatives

Is there support for publishing or presenting?

Yes, fellows are encouraged to submit projects for publication and present at conferences. Scholarly output is supported and expected.

Do fellows attend meetings or participate in leadership?

Fellows are active participants and sometimes even chairs in informatics, quality, and IT committees at UNM Hospitals.

What are the benefits and salary?

Fellow compensation follows the UNM Graduate Medical Education (GME) salary structure, beginning at the PGY-4 level. Additional moonlighting opportunities may be available for supplementary income, depending on the fellow’s primary clinical specialty and departmental needs.

GME Benefits Include:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• Disability and life insurance
• Retirement account (without employer contribution)
• Monthly phone stipend
• Cafeteria allowance
• Vacation, sick, and parental leave

View full GME Benefits & Policy Manual

Our program is committed to supporting fellows both professionally and personally throughout their two-year training.

Where can I find official policies and benefits?

All GME policies and benefits are available in the House Officer Benefit and Regulation Manual: UNM House Officer Manual

How can I apply or get more information?

Contact Dr. Kendall Rogers, krogers@salud.unm.edu or Monica Eissele meissele@salud.unm.edu