General & Gastrointestinal Surgery Residency Program

Welcome to the University of New Mexico General Surgery Residency Program. Our residency program is accredited to graduate six chief residents per year. We have six categorical intern and three preliminary intern positions per year All residents are selected each year through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

Our program provides excellent academic and clinical training in all general surgical disciplines including Trauma, Emergency General surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery, Surgical Oncology, cardiothoracic, Vascular surgery, and surgical critical care. Our graduates have gone directly into community practice and the spectrum of fellowship programs.

Key Highlights of the Program include:

  • High volume operative cases >1,100 major cases at graduation, 300 as Surgeon Chief
  • Emphasis on Clinical and Operative Autonomy
  • Diverse Resident group
  • Wellness program embedded in the curriculum
  • Only two fellowship programs (Surgical Oncology, Acute Care Surgery)

Residents train with a surgical faculty committed to exceptional patient care and surgical education. The main clinical site is the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH), New Mexico’s only Academic Medical Center and tertiary care hospital. We see a diverse and wide range of patients at UNMH, fulfilling the mission of the UNM School of Medicine and providing unparalleled surgical experiences for our residents. In addition to UNMH, our other clinical sites are the Albuquerque Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lovelace Medical Center, Sandoval Regional Medical Center in Rio Rancho, and Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamogordo. Additionally, residents rotate at the University of Colorado for a transplant experience.

All residents are expected to participate in research and scholarly activity during their training. There are ongoing research projects in every division and section in the Department of Surgery with faculty ready to mentor our residents. A new department wide research club is in the works to help provide the infrastructure and resources to start new projects. We also offer an opportunity for one resident per class to take clinical time off and complete 2 years of research. Our research residents have been extremely productive and several have obtained advanced degrees during their research time. We average 5-10 resident publications per year and >20 presentations at national and regional meetings as well as our department research day.

The UNM Department of Surgery prides itself on training the next generation surgeons to serve their community, either in Academics or local hospitals. You will be extremely well prepared to succeed in a fellowship or going directly into practice. As a graduate of the UNM general surgery residency, you will have all the tools to be a successful surgeon. As motivation a message from the Program Director.

Application Information

  • All applications are accepted through ERAS only
  • All positions are accepted through the NRMP only
  • A 230 or better on either USMLE Steps; first attempt only
  • 3 letters of reference required
  • Graduation date two years or less
  • IMG’s must have a valid ECFMG by time of credentialing
  • USMLE required for DO applicants
  • We currently sponsor J-1 visa’s only

Clinical Years Overview

The major emphasis of the intern year is to learn pre and post-operative care on the wards and the intensive care unit. Prior to starting clinically all interns will go through “Intern Bootcamp” to learn all the ins and outs of the job. The bootcamp focuses on core skills of patient management, hand offs, tips and tricks of the EMR, how to document, administrative duties, and basic surgical skills. Ongoing Resident seminars, conferences, and skills lab will build your surgical knowledge and skills.

Once the year starts you will work on teams lead by our senior residents with other junior residents from surgical specialties, our stellar Advance Practice Providers, and medical students. You will become an expert at ward and clinic care while developing your basic surgical skills. Four-week rotations at UNMH, the VA, and SRMC will introduce you to all of our clinical sites and services, providing the opportunity to treat a diverse range of patients. Rotations during the intern year include General Surgery at the VA, SRMC, and UNMH, Vascular at UNMH and VA, Trauma, Emergency General Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Night Float, and Trauma Surgical ICU.

The second year builds and expands on the intern year. There is an increased emphasis on operative exposure and building surgical skills. The goal at the end of the year is to reach 250 procedures logged in the ACGME case log. The rotations are designed to achieve those numbers over the PGY 1 and 2 years. Rotations in the second year include Trauma, Night float, VA General Surgery, Trauma Surgical ICU, Transplant, and Endoscopy.

The third year is a pivotal and key year in surgical training. Residents begin to lead teams and transition from “reporter” to “decision maker”. Surgical skills learned in the first two years translate into understanding and performing complete operations. PGY-3 residents lead teams on Pediatric Surgery and VA Vascular services. EGS and GCRMC are major operative rotations where residents do a high volume of complex cases. The months on Night Float will test your mettle as you manage complex EGS and trauma patients while providing support for your junior residents and the ICU.

An optional 2-year research opportunity is available after the PGY-3 year. One resident per class can “go to the lab” to do basic science or clinical research. Many of our residents have obtained advanced degrees or done fellowships during this time.

The fourth year focuses on leadership and building surgical skills, confidence, and autonomy. As the chief of the Trauma, Night float, and VA General Surgery services you manage complex patients and perform advanced operations. These services also will give you your first opportunities to take junior residents through operations as you develop your surgical style and education skills. Additional rotations on Cardiothoracic Surgery and Endocrine offer a high-level operative experience to master these operations. A rotation at Lovelace Medical Center provides an urban community surgery service with advanced laparoscopy and robotic cases.

The Chief year is a culmination of General Surgical Training. During this year the Chief resident becomes a true leader and expert surgeon rotating on Emergency General Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Vascular, Elective Surgery, and SRMC. The chief resident is given broad autonomy to run the service and perform operations. An emphasis on decision making and advanced surgical techniques is key to this year.