The University of New Mexico’s (UNM's) ACGME-accredited Fellowship in Complex Family Planning develops obstetrician-gynecologist leaders in abortion and contraception through comprehensive training in clinical care, research, education, and advocacy.
UNM has a long-standing history of providing reproductive health care for culturally diverse, underserved, and rural patient populations, including historically marginalized communities. Recent legislative changes have made New Mexico an abortion surge state, with more patients traveling here to access care.
UNM’s program is distinguished by:
The program’s location in a reproductive rights-friendly state provides a unique environment to collaborate with legal and community organizations advocating for reproductive health
Comprehensive abortion care in both outpatient clinics and operating room settings including exposure to local, moderate sedation, and deep sedation
Tremendous support for family planning from the hospital, department, colleagues, and staff
Moderate abortion volume with high complexity
Diverse patient population including those traveling for care, members of the minority-majority state of New Mexico, undocumented individuals
A commitment to lifelong learning, supporting fellows to earn a Master of Public health degree
Close mentorship by our nationally recognized, fellowship-trained faculty.
Active research division and internal funding mechanisms to support fellow research projects
Required low resource electives with designated sites where we have established relationships
Focus on fellow wellness as we provide care in a surge state
No required OB call, moonlighting is available
The opportunity to train in New Mexico with its rich culture, fascinating history, and stunning landscapes.
How to Apply
The University of New Mexico accepts fellowship applications exclusively through ERAS as part of the NRMP (National Resident Matching Program). All candidates must have completed an accredited residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and be board-eligible with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology at least 90 days prior to entering the fellowship.
A complete application consists of:
ERAS Common Application
Medical School Transcripts
USMLE Transcripts
Three letters of recommendation, at least two from OB/GYN faculty. All letters must be uploaded into ERAS.
Personal Statement: In your statement, consider addressing:
Why do you want to complete a Complex Family Planning Fellowship?
Your short- and long-term career goals
How your training and mentorship have prepared you for this subspecialty
What gaps in research, education, clinical care, or leadership do you hope to fill
Your experience in contraception and abortion
Your research interests and activities
Whether you are a member of the Society of Family Planning
If you graduated or will graduate from a residency program with a Ryan Program
Fellows receive training in complex abortion and contraception care using evidence-based medical and procedural methods. Most training occurs at the UNM Center for Reproductive Health, where Fellows teach residents and medical students under the supervision of our Complex Family Planning faculty. Fellow training also occurs at the Albuquerque Planned Parenthood Health Center. Medically complex abortion training requiring inpatient care takes place at UNM Hospital. UNM's referral area includes all of New Mexico and parts of Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and other states where abortion is not accessible. Fellows also participate in a low-resource rotation with Indian Health Services.
Fellows also perform ambulatory procedures at UNM’s Outpatient Surgery and Imaging Services (OSIS) and become experienced in moderate procedural sedation in the outpatient setting. By maintaining some general clinical practice, Fellows can choose to collect cases for board certification.
Fellows are immersed in a variety of collaborative experiences, including:
Didactic seminars
Mentorship from Fellowship Directors
Joint journal club with Complex Family Planning and Maternal Child Health faculty, fellows, residents, medical students, Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), and CNM students
In addition to these collaborative experiences, Fellows are expected to gain advanced research training by earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) through the College of Population Health at UNM. Grounded in social justice, the MPH program offers opportunities to study epidemiology, community health, and research, enabling Fellows to make a positive impact on diverse populations.
Tuition for the MPH is covered through UNM’s Tuition Remission program. Additionally, the UNM Office of Continuous Professional Learning provides professional development opportunities in medical education.
For more information, please visit the program website here.
Join Complex Family Planning faculty in researching a wide variety of topics, including:
Patient perspectives about complex contraception research
Patient perspectives about abortion care
Immediate postpartum LARC
Postpartum contraception and lactation
Abortion training and undergraduate and graduate medical education
Early pregnancy loss management
Early postpartum IUD placement
Family Planning implementation research
Policy effects on abortion care
Rural and urban access to family planning and abortion care
During the two-year fellowship, CFP Fellows will design and execute a primary research project in Complex Family Planning. Fellows’ research mentor and the Complex Family Planning research team will facilitate and advocate for CFP research. Fellows are expected to present their findings at national scientific meetings and publish in peer-reviewed journals. Fellows also complete a secondary project acceptable for publication or approved by the Fellowship Directors in an area of their choosing.
Fellows have the opportunity to collaborate with experts, including faculty from the School of Medicine, College of Population Health, Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC), and staff from the New Mexico Department of Health.
Take part in the CBPR summer institute, which weaves the theory and practice of CBPR with indigenous and critical methodologies.
Our fellows have the opportunity to work with Fellowship faculty and residents on a variety of advocacy initiatives, including:
New Mexico legislative session – Fellows can collaborate with ACOG on annual lobby day training and ACOG lobby day with a focus on reproductive health access.
Assisting residents with advocacy projects.
Writing op-eds focused on current advocacy issues locally and nationally.
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