University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Encyclopedia
The University of New Mexico School of Medicine (UNM School of Medicine) is a division of the University of New Mexico
Health Sciences Center (UNM HSC) located in Albuquerque, New Mexico
. The UNM School of Medicine is home to a variety of degree granting programs, including the only MD
program in the state.
that same year. The school uses UNM Hospital
as its primary teaching hospital, along with the VA Medical Center located at Kirtland Air Force Base
, along with the other hospitals that make up the UNM Hospitals system.
In 1994, University administration decided to combine the School of Medicine, along with other programs in Physical and Occupation Therapy, Biochemistry, Medical Laboratory Sciences, and other programs into one entity known as the UNM Health Sciences Center, with the aim of combining the education and research contributions of each of these entities into one. While they may be grouped together on paper, day-to-day operation of each department is somewhat independent of each other.
Currently, the MD program enrolls about 80 new students each academic year, with the total enrollment in the MD program comprising about 2/5ths of the School of Medicine student body. Because the school is supported with state money, primary admissions preference is given to New Mexico
residents. Secondary preference is given to applicants from other Western states that do not have a medical school, such as Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, as well as applicants from all other states. As is the case with virtually all other medical schools in the United States, admission is very competitive.
National Recognition
The school is widely known for its Rural Medicine, Family Medicine and Primary Care Medicine programs. These programs are consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally, with the Rural Medicine program consistently being ranked in the top 5 nationally.
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
Health Sciences Center (UNM HSC) located in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
. The UNM School of Medicine is home to a variety of degree granting programs, including the only MD
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
program in the state.
History
The school was established in 1961 by the Regents of the University of New Mexico. The first class was admitted in 1964 and the school graduated its first class in 1968. The school also received full accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical EducationLiaison Committee on Medical Education
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education is an accrediting body for educational programs at schools of medicine in the United States and Canada. The LCME accredits only the schools that grant a doctor of medicine degree; osteopathic medical schools are accredited by the Commission on...
that same year. The school uses UNM Hospital
University of New Mexico Hospital
The University of New Mexico Hospital is a teaching hospital located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, north of The University of New Mexico's Main Campus. It is the only Level I Trauma Center in the State of New Mexico, and also houses the only Children's Hospital and Burn Unit in the state...
as its primary teaching hospital, along with the VA Medical Center located at Kirtland Air Force Base
Kirtland Air Force Base
Kirtland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in the southeast quadrant of the Albuquerque, New Mexico urban area, adjacent to the Albuquerque International Sunport. The base was named for the early Army aviator Col. Roy C. Kirtland...
, along with the other hospitals that make up the UNM Hospitals system.
In 1994, University administration decided to combine the School of Medicine, along with other programs in Physical and Occupation Therapy, Biochemistry, Medical Laboratory Sciences, and other programs into one entity known as the UNM Health Sciences Center, with the aim of combining the education and research contributions of each of these entities into one. While they may be grouped together on paper, day-to-day operation of each department is somewhat independent of each other.
The School Today
MD Program AdmissionsCurrently, the MD program enrolls about 80 new students each academic year, with the total enrollment in the MD program comprising about 2/5ths of the School of Medicine student body. Because the school is supported with state money, primary admissions preference is given to New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
residents. Secondary preference is given to applicants from other Western states that do not have a medical school, such as Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, as well as applicants from all other states. As is the case with virtually all other medical schools in the United States, admission is very competitive.
National Recognition
The school is widely known for its Rural Medicine, Family Medicine and Primary Care Medicine programs. These programs are consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally, with the Rural Medicine program consistently being ranked in the top 5 nationally.