Current UNM Medical Students
For those interested in exploring the amazing field of Ophthalmology, we have learning experiences available for first- and second-year students on an individual basis. If you are interested in more information, please email our medical education program specialist Celia Baca (cbaca40@salud.unm.edu) for more information and steps to get your experience set up.
For students in their 3rd year, we offer learning experiences through the Specialty Exploration Experience (S.E.E.) rotations done during clinical years.
For students in their 4th year, we offer learning experiences through a multitude of options including an ophthalmology elective – Ophthalmology Clinical Elective 754 (as found in the course catalog).
The Department also mentors students interested in pursuing Ophthalmology as a career, with Dr. Alexander Davis available as the Ophthalmology specialty and match advisor. Dr. A. Davis also serves as the faculty for the Ophthalmology Interest Group, known as the Fellowship of Future (FOFO) here at the UNM School of Medicine. Through this group, many students over the years have become interested in Ophthalmology, learned skills useful in their other chosen careers, and helped many different communities through education and information as well as free exams. For more information, please reach out to Celia Baca (cbaca40@salud.unm.edu) for opportunities and to be included in emails sent out to the group!
The department also supports the Community Vision Project in which medical students perform screen eye examinations for underserved patients as well at one of the city’s only free clinics doing diabetic eye screenings.
For Visiting Medical Students:
The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences offers fourth-year electives to visiting medical students during the months of July, August, September, and October. These four-week rotations are approved and competitively arranged by the department through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) system.
Blocks for 2024:
Block 1: 7/22/2024-8/18/2024
Block 2: 8/19/2024-9/15/2024
Block 3: 9/16/2024-10/13/2024
Block 4: 10/14/2024-11/10/2024
For our ophthalmology elective, we are requesting all applicants to additionally submit a MAXIMUM 500-word document that explains your reason for applying to our specific program. Failure to do so may delay consideration for an elective spot. This is due at the time of application through the VSLO system.
Click here for link to VSLO information: Ophthalmology Clinical Elective 754 – UNM SOM
Medical Student Educator
Program Director
The Southwest Combined Cornea and Glaucoma Fellowship
Alexander Davis, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Ophthalmology
University of New Mexico