University of New Mexico School of Medicine

The school today[edit]

MD program admissions


Currently, the MD program enrolls about 106 new students each academic year, with the total enrollment in the MD program comprising about 15% of the School of Medicine student body.^[3] 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 Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. 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 among the best nationally, with the Rural Medicine program consistently being ranked in the top five nationally. In 2023, U.S. News & World Report rated UNM 4th in Primary Care, 4th in Most Diverse Medical Schools, 2nd in Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas, 11th in Family Medicine, and 81st in Research.^[4]


Additionally, the state-of-the-art Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education at the school has received attention for both the Leonard M. Napolitano Ph.D. Anatomical Education Center (anatomy lab) and the Interprofessional Healthcare Simulation Center (IHSC). The anatomy lab was named in recognition of Leonard Napolitano, an anatomist and a founding member of the School of Medicine in 1964.^[5] The IHSC is designed to simulate the provider experience using standardized patients and allows students to experience and practice clinical skills while not putting patients at risk. The IHSC is unique in that it houses four different simulations including Acute Care, In-Patient, Out-Patient, and Pharmacy.^[6]