The Department of Surgery in the University of New Mexico School of Medicine delivers advanced care to adult and pediatric patients, boldly pursues groundbreaking research initiatives, and trains New Mexico’s and the world’s future surgical leaders. Learn more about UNM Health Systems >
As the Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of New Mexico, it is my privilege to welcome you to our website. Here at UNM, we are committed to excellence in surgical education, research, and patient care. Our team of dedicated surgeons, educators, and researchers work collaboratively to advance the field of surgery and improve the health of our community. Providing patient access to advanced, quaternary academic surgical care in New Mexico while training the best and brightest of the next generation is the cornerstone of our mission, and one that we have successfully accomplished for decades.
Our department offers comprehensive clinical services across a range of surgical specialties, including acute care surgery and trauma, bariatrics and weight loss, cancer care and surgical oncology, cardiothoracic surgery, complex liver and pancreas surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, urology, transplant, otolaryngology – head and neck surgery, and vascular surgery. We utilize the latest technology and innovative techniques to ensure the best outcomes for our patients, including laser, robotic, minimally invasive, and 3D printing technology utilized by surgeons who are recognized as national leaders in their field. While we are proud to provide cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, evidence-based surgical care, we recognize that it is in fact the caring – the empathy, the human connection – that ultimately makes the biggest difference to our patients and their caregivers. We are committed to providing the highest level of care to every single person who walks in our door, regardless of external traits or circumstances. We believe in a patient-centered approach, where compassion and respect are at the forefront of everything we do, and I am proud to work at an institution and department where this ethos is woven into everything we do every day.
Surgical education is at the heart of our department. We are proud of our residency programs, including general surgery, ENT, urology, plastic surgery and – starting in 2026 – vascular surgery, as well as our fellowship programs in trauma acute care surgery and surgical oncology. These programs provide rigorous training and mentorship to the next generation of surgeons through our commitment to inclusive excellence and a holistic, comprehensive, clinically oriented training program that ensures our trainees graduate with full clinical competency and are ready to practice anywhere they choose, whether that be in academic surgery, a community practice, a rural setting, or a global health environment.
Research is important to our mission, and we are actively involved in cutting-edge innovation and research. Our faculty and residents are engaged in a variety of research projects, from basic science to clinical trials to outcomes and translational research, all with the goal of enhancing patient care and outcomes.
Thank you for visiting our website. We invite you to explore the resources available and learn more about our programs, faculty, and the exciting work happening in our department. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Warm regards,
Sharmila Dissanaike, MD, FACS, FCCM
Chair, Department of Surgery
University of New Mexico
 |
Our goal at The University of New Mexico is to provide excellence in surgical education and patient care.
Join the best faculty and surgeons in New Mexico—and the nation—as one of our select residents. You will have access to multidisciplinary academic medical expertise as you treat a diverse population unlike any other in the U.S.
