U. Arizona vs. U. New Mexico

[stat!!]

Anyone? I've gotten interviews, but probably can't make it to both (I'm on the east coast...) Does anyone have more info on these two programs other than what is said on Scutwork? I don't know anything about them - reputation, lifestyle, fellowship placement, etc? If you had to interview at just one, which one? Thanks guys...

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[nacho77]

Just thought I'd put another request in for this one - I'm interviewing at both and the locations are appealing since mom lives in Tucson but as an east coaster I have little inside info.... Any thoughts? Anyone? Bueller??

 

[Roadrunner]

UNM has a solid program, great PD, great residents, lots of pathology, and a supportive environment. The atmosphere is probably very different from what you're used to on the East Coast--western programs and UNM in particular are very laid back. There isn't the hierarchy found at other programs and relationships between attendings, residents, and students are collegial. UNM med school and many of its residencies emphasize life-long learning and self-learning. Most residents comment that you'll get a lot out of the program but you need to be a self-directed learner. No one is going to be telling you what you should be learning, reading, etc. but you're expected to know the info. Like most IM programs these days there is a heavy emphasis on EBM. Conferences and morning report range from okay to excellent (I'd say 90% are good and worth your time).

So again, I'd say interview at UNM. The med school ranks in the top 5-10 for primary care institutions, top 5 for rural medicine. Fellowship placement is high. You can read the stats yourself though...

 

[sunmoon]

BUMP.

I would appreciate if anyone can comment on Univ of Arizona.

thanks in advance

 

[irlandesa]

Agree with note below; I have a friend at UNM who is really enjoying it. Although Albuquerque is not supposed to be great, most of the time you can't beat the weather and NM is a gorgeous state overall. The only disadvantages in comparison to many East Coast programs I can think are q4 o/n call at all inpatient services with cross-coverage and lousy pay, but the cost of living is lower.

Sorry I don't know anything on Arizona.. I notice that my program UMASS tends to draw a good # of residents from UNM; in fact, it's probably the second best-represented school among residents here (except UMASS and possibly Albany). Very strange, but the ones I've met are really good!! Maine Med and Brown have a few from UNM too..

UNM has a solid program, great PD, great residents, lots of pathology, and a supportive environment. The atmosphere is probably very different from what you're used to on the East Coast--western programs and UNM in particular are very laid back. There isn't the hierarchy found at other programs and relationships between attendings, residents, and students are collegial. UNM med school and many of its residencies emphasize life-long learning and self-learning. Most residents comment that you'll get a lot out of the program but you need to be a self-directed learner. No one is going to be telling you what you should be learning, reading, etc. but you're expected to know the info. Like most IM programs these days there is a heavy emphasis on EBM. Conferences and morning report range from okay to excellent (I'd say 90% are good and worth your time).

So again, I'd say interview at UNM. The med school ranks in the top 5-10 for primary care institutions, top 5 for rural medicine. Fellowship placement is high. You can read the stats yourself though...

 

[Anthony328]

Anyone? I've gotten interviews, but probably can't make it to both (I'm on the east coast...) Does anyone have more info on these two programs other than what is said on Scutwork? I don't know anything about them - reputation, lifestyle, fellowship placement, etc? If you had to interview at just one, which one? Thanks guys...

I am an IM/PGY-3 at UA and am very happy with the program. We are a moderately sized program with 28 interns, 22 PGY-1/PGY-2. Its front loaded like many other programs with 9mos on call including CCU/ICU during the intern year (optional 2-wk pseudoward month on hospitalist service). 1 month vacation broken into 2wk blocks. 2nd/3rd year with 5 ward months (including CCU as PGY-2, ICU as PGY-3). Its a relatively laid back environment which means, very freindly collegues/faculty/staff, 80-hr work week is enforced strictly, rarely put on the spot(in a negative way ie singled out in grand rounds/morning report/rounds). You do have to give ppt lectures and present research(if you did a research elective). There are currently 3 hospitals we rotate through: the Southern Arizona VA, University Hospital, Tucson Medical Center (private hospital). We have renowned faculty in all fields who are very approachable, eager to have you involved in research, and write great rec letters. Dr. Alpert is our Med. Chair, who is editor-in-chief of Americal Journal of Medicine, has connections all over the country. Ulike many other department chairs he remains actively involved in our training, serving as a ward attending, and often attends morning report getting to know all of us relatively well. The majority of our residents pursue fellowships. We are strong in GI, Cardiology, Heme/Onc(one of the top ranking), Rheumatology. Often residents stay here for fellowship. Unfortunately we do not have an endocrinology fellowship, so this isn't the place to come if you know you want to pursue an endocrine fellowship. Other perks we offer include opportunities (as part of an elective) to travel with either the rheumatology dept/cardiology IHS dept on trips to various IHS/reservation clinics. Ive done this twice and it was a great way to see underserved patients as well as remote parts of the southwest.

I'll be more than happy to answer any other questions about our IM residency. I highly encourage you to come visit us this interview season.

 

[ResidentMD]

I am an IM/PGY-3 at UA and am very happy with the program. We are a moderately sized program with 28 interns, 22 PGY-1/PGY-2. Its front loaded like many other programs with 9mos on call including CCU/ICU during the intern year (optional 2-wk pseudoward month on hospitalist service). 1 month vacation broken into 2wk blocks. 2nd/3rd year with 5 ward months (including CCU as PGY-2, ICU as PGY-3). Its a relatively laid back environment which means, very freindly collegues/faculty/staff, 80-hr work week is enforced strictly, rarely put on the spot(in a negative way ie singled out in grand rounds/morning report/rounds). You do have to give ppt lectures and present research(if you did a research elective). There are currently 3 hospitals we rotate through: the Southern Arizona VA, University Hospital, Tucson Medical Center (private hospital). We have renowned faculty in all fields who are very approachable, eager to have you involved in research, and write great rec letters. Dr. Alpert is our Med. Chair, who is editor-in-chief of Americal Journal of Medicine, has connections all over the country. Ulike many other department chairs he remains actively involved in our training, serving as a ward attending, and often attends morning report getting to know all of us relatively well. The majority of our residents pursue fellowships. We are strong in GI, Cardiology, Heme/Onc(one of the top ranking), Rheumatology. Often residents stay here for fellowship. Unfortunately we do not have an endocrinology fellowship, so this isn't the place to come if you know you want to pursue an endocrine fellowship. Other perks we offer include opportunities (as part of an elective) to travel with either the rheumatology dept/cardiology IHS dept on trips to various IHS/reservation clinics. Ive done this twice and it was a great way to see underserved patients as well as remote parts of the southwest.

I'll be more than happy to answer any other questions about our IM residency. I highly encourage you to come visit us this interview season.

bump - would like inputs on both programs, as I am deciding which ones to go to.

 

[docscience]

bump - going to be interviewing at both of these institutions in a 2 weeks.

Anyone have any info on either of these programs?? Anything will be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[drrockstar140]

bump

 

[adagio]

Any updates about the University of New mexico guys? could you tell us about your interview experience there? thank you so much

 

[docscience]

I interviewed at both programs last year. I thought they were both great, and most everything has been mentioned on here. When I was interviewing/ranking, I wish I had seen some more action on the SDN boards...so here is me doing my good deed/contributing - just a jumble of random thoughts. Hope it helps. Good luck!

UNM:

- Very friendly PD as someone mentioned. She is just very sweet, committed to her job, and very down to earth. During my interview, she made me feel oh so very comfortable! I have met some great faculty here for the most part.

- Pathology: Someone on here said "great." It is a different type of pathology. I think one sees most bread-and-butter medicine in most programs and that shouldn't be a problem. But analyze the population...this is not NYC/SF or Houston. It is Albuquerque, NM...crossroads and biggest city in one of the nations poorer states. There is a reason it is a big deal in rural/primary care medicine. The need for that stuff is HUGE in NM. You will see people who have no access to electricity...how do you send them home with a PICC and abx? Lots of rural medicine...
Lots of postsurgical patients, interesting ID cases also - big hantavirus research going down.
I think they have flex schedule to send you abroad if you want.
You can prob get any in house fellowship..

- Albuquerque. I don't know much about the city. Have you seen Breaking Bad? I know the downtown is OK, some good shows come through, the airport is a good size, but you are in the middle of nowhere. Denver is the closest major city I think. But the state is beautiful, there is some skiing, and Santa Fe is supposed to be amazing. Balloon fest, good place to raise kids?, not sure how the singles scene is really....

- Hosp is in decent shape...childrens hosp (like every program) is a lot nicer.

UofA
- Good faculty. A friend in the program tells me there is going to be change in the upper echelons...and this is supposed to be a good thing. Everyone is friendly.

- Busy program. Somewhat unorganized as far as the upper level chiefs go. The classes are half DO (like me) and a good majority are students from Jordan..there is a special relationship with the cancer center there...you can do a rotation there.
Lots of poor patients here also. Cocci central. Good VA hospital with good staff that will teach.
Don't really need to know Spanish as one would presume, but a very big help!
Fairly easy to get in house fellowships...lots of FMGs that want to do cards though. Strong Rheum if you are into that.
Outside fellowships also a possibility. Stanford trained docs here...cards chair is a big wig who is editor of major journals.
NIH cancer center!

- Tucson is an OK town. College town + some industry. Good hiking/biking. Cheap cost of living. Lots of sunshine. Can play outdoor sports everyday. Nice mountains that surround the city. College hotties - both men and women. Young professional scene not that great - ok. Incredible weather. No shoveling snow or going into work when it is 10 degrees outside! Lots of bars.
4 hours to mexican beach town, 6 hours to SD, and close to vegas.

- Hosp in decent shape. Decent VA hospital


Just my thoughts. Hope it helps. Let me know if I can do anything else!

 

[adagio]

I am so sorry Docscience, I just saw your reply on this thread!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to give us this information.

Which program did you personally like more out of these two, and which one would you choose first?

also, what interviews did you get last year, and how was your ranking list arranged?

Thank you so much for your time and insight.

 

[Ex-Martian]

Darn! My first post and I have to choose between UNM vs. UofA in a few weeks and this thread has been dead for about 2yrs. How can I revive this thread? I'm new to sdn world. Looking for info on IM residency. I know UNM has a new program director, and going to have new resident scheduling/call scheduling currently being worked up. Any updates?? I am completely torn between the two programs! Any updates would be greatly appreciated (current/past/future residents, students, office staff, or whomever that knows more about these programs). Oh, and if you had to choose (don't say well it depends on xyz...) which would you pick? 🙂

Looking to get into Rheumatology vs. Endocrinology vs. a Hospitalist in the near future

 

[marigny]

Darn! My first post and I have to choose between UNM vs. UofA in a few weeks and this thread has been dead for about 2yrs. How can I revive this thread? I'm new to sdn world. Looking for info on IM residency. I know UNM has a new program director, and going to have new resident scheduling/call scheduling currently being worked up. Any updates?? I am completely torn between the two programs! Any updates would be greatly appreciated (current/past/future residents, students, office staff, or whomever that knows more about these programs). Oh, and if you had to choose (don't say well it depends on xyz...) which would you pick? 🙂

Looking to get into Rheumatology vs. Endocrinology vs. a Hospitalist in the near future

The residents are MISERABLE at UNM IM. The PD got the job because no one else wanted it. She is wholly unqualified! And they cannot keep office staff to save their lives. Completely dysfunctional.

 

[jturkel]

just throwing this out there.....i went to college in Tucson and love the city. it doesn't get much love but it's great. great food, low cost of living, amazing weather, lots of people and things to do. i've got nothing to offer about the programs themselves though Go WILDCATS!

 

[subtle1epiphany]

I graduated from the UNM Medicine Residency about two years ago and do not understand where "marigny" is coming from with those statements.
The new Program Director (Jenny Jernigan) has been an associate PD for some time now, and the reason for the change is due to Betty Chang (previous PD) becoming the new Dean of Graduate Medical Education. I would expect that this will provide a louder voice for the Department within the medical center. The outgoing Dean was from the Dept of Emergency Medicine, and they wield quite a bit of power within UNM (for good reasons mostly). The EM program is phenomenal, I see that more now that I am at another facility, but I'm not here to comment on that.
The Medicine Residency Program provides a good training experience overall. Is it world class, does it compete with top tier programs? No, it can't, but here's my perspective:

Faculty: Mostly excellent and personable. There is much in the way of lip service to using Evidence-Based Medicine but variability to the degree that it is applied. I see this at most places, so this is unsurprising. There is a dedicated hospitalist group and they focus on a great deal of teaching on the wards and provide an organized well-functioning system. Divisions are well represented with strong faculty in most, particularly the PulmCCM, Cardiology, GI, and Renal. Rheum is quite good, but a smaller presence.
Pathology: Varied and fascinating. You will see the usual bread and butter, more at the VA than UH. However, as an upper level resident night float experience is unlike what I see at "higher" tier programs, you will call the shots. At UH the entire 80+ Emergency Dept funnels into your lap, while the EM Attendings will be able to push quite hard, there is a high degree of independence and ability to make real decisions. There is support from your attending during this time, but I found that the strong residents flourished on this rotation. Similarly, my experience in the Medical/Cardiac ICU was unparalleled! The PulmCCM Fellows were on home call, so I ran everything, I performed all procedures at night. To put that in perspective, the program where I am now delegates that function to the Fellow, so while I was a resident then and fellow now my role is unchanged.
You will see Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome, care for post-operative cardiac surgeries, see myxedema coma and thyroid storm.
Yes, this is a poor state, so you will see late manifestations of common disease states. Your patients can be sick as hell! The floors at UH take patients who would be in the MICU where I am now. Want to run lorazepam infusions at 20mg/hr for EtOH withdrawal, yes. UGIB not requiring endoscopy or true ICU care, admit to the floor. This makes for a busy and well experienced resident class who are able to handle high acuity well.
Fellowship: Most tend to remain and stay in-house for their training, but there are exceptions.
Research: This is the difficult thing in a poor state. The commitment of the University is towards patient care and education more than research, this may not be stated but it is the reality. There are labs and basic research, some trials and the like, but this isn't a research powerhouse like Michigan, Mayo, Harvard, UCSF...U of Iowa... Most residents will publish case reports or the like during their training, some very dedicated housestaff do more.

Albuquerque is rather small, but don't discount that for being boring or without good food and things to do. Restaurants to visit: Farina Pizzeria, Standard Diner, The Cube, Olympia Cafe, Sahara, Orchid Thai, Cafe da Lat, Taj Mahal...
There's a considerable Vietnamese population in town, so the Pho is amazing! Then there's of course the New Mexican cuisine with chile bursting from everything, just a great experience. The size of the city provides enough without being congested or overwhelming. Santa Fe is about an hour away and Taos north of there.

So those are my thoughts.
Am I biased, of course! However, this is a reputable program that has some very real strengths.
If you are interested in critical care, you will get a serious amount of ICU time here. That was huge for me, although I didn't know that going in, it made my first year of PulmCCM fellowship far easier.

 

[swlabr1980]

The residents are MISERABLE at UNM IM. The PD got the job because no one else wanted it. She is wholly unqualified! And they cannot keep office staff to save their lives. Completely dysfunctional.

LOL, sorry you didn't match there.

FWIW, my good friend is a resident at UNM, and they said the resident camaraderie is excellent, and the program actually cares about the housestaff and listens to their concerns. Also echoed what subtle1epiphany said.