General Surgery Residents

Yalda Barlas, MD

Medical School: UNM Medical School, Albuquerque, NM

Favorite things about program: We have a very comfortable learning environment, be it with residents or attendings. I am not afraid to work with them and lean on them for support when I need it. At the same time, I can be granted a lot of autonomy if I desire. I think we have a pretty good balance here.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: I love so many things about NM! I love the mountains, friendly people, green chile, coffee, balloon fiesta. Most of all, I love our 4 seasons. We have breathtaking snow, blossoming trees in the spring, warm summer days, and incredible fall foliage and weather...with around 300 days of sunshine!

Andrew Fisher, MD

Medical School:  Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Bryan, TX

Favorite things about program: I have an interested in trauma and acute care surgery, the program offers significant exposure and rapid progression to an appropriate level of autonomy. In addition, the program supports resident driven research and helps create opportunities for the residents. 

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: NM is an outdoorsman’s ideal place with an endless number of activities to pursue. ABQ and the surrounding area has several locally owned and operated microbreweries and eateries to explore.

Kris Hunter, MD

Medical School: Indiana University SOM, Indianapolis, IN

Favorite things about program: Being from Indiana, which has a similar healthcare system as New Mexico in that there is one major hospital for the whole state, I was really looking for that same diversity in patients and variety of cases and specialties offered. I also really love my resident cohort, we all truly care about each other and help each other succeed and thrive on a daily basis. Also, the faculty are supportive and facilitate a welcoming work environment. I always feel like a valued member of the team. 

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: After spending my whole life in the Midwest, I really wanted a change for residency. I love we still get all four seasons in Albuquerque and that it’s within driving distance of amazing places and activities. I love to hike and ski, and this area is very amenable to allowing me to continue those passions. I also have two dogs, and my husband and I love having so many outdoor spaces to take them for walks and playtime.

Erin Simmons, MD

Medical School: Creighton University SOM, Omaha, NE

Favorite things about program: Complex patients/cases. Co-residents.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Variety of outdoor activities. Santa Fe is very nearby and is a beautiful place to visit. 

Joseph Giacolone, MD

Medical School: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Favorite thing about the program: High volume and acuity of trauma and ICU management.

Favorite thing about NM: Santa Fe day trips and skiing in Taos with my wife.

Aleezay Haider, MD

Medical School: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan

Favorite things about program: I really like the amount of autonomy given to the residents, as well as the operative volume. I also appreciate how invested the faculty and senior residents are in building your career.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: It’s a city that has a lot to offer. There’s something for everyone. The natural beauty here is stunning, and the food scene is brilliant.

Hamza Hanif, MD

Medical School: Shifa College of Medicine, Pakistan

Favorite things about program: The people. Your co-residents are like your family, and you are never left alone in an unpleasant situation.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: You live fifteen minutes away from some beautiful hiking and mountain biking trails. If you like outdoors, this place is for you.

Ryan Keffer, MD

Medical School: UNM Medical School, Albuquerque, NM

Favorite things about program: Exposure to broad spectrum of diseases and complex cases.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: The ease of access to outdoors and diversity of landscape with incredible views.

Roxann Lerma, MD

Medical School: Texas Tech Health Science Center El Paso Foster SOM, El Paso, TX

Favorite things about program: The welcoming culture of UNM that fosters great patient care and an enjoyable workplace. We have a friendly and respectful relationship with faculty that facilitates a good and positive learning environment.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: The many outdoor activities that are available including hiking, Balloon Fiesta, Tramway, and visiting Santa Fe. The food is delicious and you will learn another meaning to Christmas.

Micah Vivens, MD

Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch SOM, Galveston, TX

Favorite things about program: My co-residents, from my fellow co-interns to the senior residents,  that have created an supportive environment that is enjoyable to learn in even on the tough days of residency.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: The Albuquerque sunsets, the mountains, and the abundance of biking/running trails in the city.

Robin Wright, MD

Medical School: McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health, Houston, TX

Favorite things about program: The mutual respect and camaraderie of the residents and the attendings. Getting to operate a lot, even in junior years!

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Close proximity to some of the best nature in the country.

Steven Bozell, MD

Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Favorite thing about program: The relationships I've made and lots of cases.

Favorite things aboutABQ/NM: The variety of places to go out and enjoy yourself.

Deanna Gonzalez, MD

Medical School: University of New Mexico 

Favorite thing about program: Exposure to surgical subspecialties early in training. Excellent trauma experience. The rural rotation is also a program gem!

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Great climbing community and easy access to nearby ski resorts and hiking trails. 

Clement Jose, MD

Medical School: University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Favorite thing about program: Amount and variety of cases, approachability of faculty, helpfulness of residents/colleagues, and ability to pursue your field of interest. Emphasis on wellness and high standards for surgical training and ethics.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Robust outdoor experiences (skiing, hiking, kayaking, camping, etc.). I love the food here as well!

Alyssa Justus, MD

Medical School: University of New Mexico SOM

Favorite thing about this program: My class of residents

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Hiking, breweries, green chile, the culture, the weather

Lexi Mang, MD

Medical School: UNM Medical School, Albuquerque, NM

Favorite things about program: The comradery among the residents and faculty.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Green chili, the balloon fiesta, sunsets, and the mountains.

Erin Risotto-Urbanowicz, MD

Medical School: Oregon Health and Science University

Favorite thing about program: Early autonomy, welcoming culture, and working with a diverse patient population 

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: the weather and the view of the Sandias daily

Daniel Sarraf, MD

Medical School: The University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL

Favorite things about program: Diverse patient population, good co-residents who make a tough residency enjoyable.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Quiet, affordable, easy to get around, and a great mix of old/new sights.

Brenda Saucedo, MD

Medical School: UT Houston, Houston TX

Favorite things about program: Great trauma and down to earth co-residents

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Laid back and scenic mountains

Antonio Diaz Zepeda, MD

Medical school: Boston University SOM, Boston, MA

Favorite things about the program: High case load, complex ACS/trauma cases, and fantastic co-residents and attendings that love teaching.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: The food here is seriously good, being from Arizona the weather is fantastic, sunny but not hot. Lots of activities to do in the area or within driving distance all without the traffic/congestion of a major city.

Tiffany Emery, MD

Medical school: University of New Mexico SOM, Albuquerque, NM

Favorite things about the program: Getting to train in an environment that really values learners/learning. I also love opportunities to see my co-residents and catch up!

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: The unparalleled sunsets and all of the lovely, unique local coffee shops!

Tram Le, MD

Medical school: University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK

Favorite things about the program: The supportive, inclusive environment among residents. Early operative experience. Faculty who are invested in your learning and training. The genuine care that UNM has for its uniquely underserved patient population.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Albuquerque has the benefits of both a small town and mid-sized city. Everything is a short drive away, and there’s almost never any traffic. There are always events happening around town – growers markets, wine festivals,  United and Isotopes games. If none of that appeals to you, then you are only 20min away from escaping to the mountains for camping, hiking, skiing, and enjoying natural hot springs. This city is a hidden gem.

Lauren Marek, MD

Medical school: University of New Mexico SOM, Albuquerque, NM

Favorite things about the program: Faculty and co-residents. This is an incredibly supportive, kind group of people to learn from. Operative exposure is also excellent, with a wide variety of complex cases.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: New Mexico is a beautiful state with exceptional outdoor recreation. There’s plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and skiing that is easily accessible.

Thanh-Tin Nguyen, MD

Medical school: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR

Favorite things about the program: Great operative experience

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Beautiful scenery, easygoing culture

Jaslina Paintal, MD

Medical school: Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Favorite things about the program: My colleagues and the operative volume

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: The mountains at sunset and the many cultures here

Ethan Peterson, MD

Medical school: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Favorite things about the program: Supportive co-residents/faculty, early procedural/operative autonomy, large breadth of cases and pathology as only major medical center for the region, and fantastic trauma exposure. You treat everyone and provide care for people who really benefit from it.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Full of resilient, diverse communities, kind and passionate people. Beautiful outdoors and recreational activities. Very good food.

Yazmin Irazoqui-Ruiz, MD

Medical School: UNM Medical School, Albuquerque, NM

Favorite things about program: I was elated for the opportunity to continue my training in New Mexico because of the diversity of the providers, ancillary staff, and population we get to serve while learning to become surgeons. The attendings are approachable and our co-residents are incredibly supportive of each other. This provides the perfect environment to gain autonomy from the beginning while managing medically and surgically complex patients. 

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: New Mexico is uniquely rich in culture: food, people, and activities. There are so many beautiful hikes, camping grounds and nearby national monuments. We have the International Balloon Fiesta every fall-- I highly recommend experiencing mass ascension on an early morning with a cup of pinon coffee and a Blake's green chile breakfast burrito. 

Medical School: Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL

Favorite things about program: This program provides amazing case volume, autonomy, and resident cohesion.

Favorite things about ABQ/NM: Albuquerque is affordable, has great weather, and a plethora of outdoor activities to stay happy and healthy.