University of New Mexico Hospital: Comprehensive Healthcare Services in the Southwest

The University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH), also known as University Hospital, or simply UNMH, stands as a cornerstone of healthcare in the Southwest. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, immediately north of the University of New Mexico's main campus, it serves a diverse population with a wide range of medical needs. As New Mexico's only academic medical center and home to the state’s largest teaching hospital, UNMH is committed to providing quality, cutting-edge healthcare to New Mexicans throughout the state.

A Legacy of Service and Growth

UNMH's origins trace back to 1952 when Bernalillo County and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) collaborated to construct a hospital serving both county residents and the significant Native American population in the region. The Bernalillo County Indian Hospital opened in October 1954, marking the beginning of a long-standing commitment to community healthcare.

In 1964, with the establishment of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, the hospital assumed its role as the primary teaching facility for the university. It was renamed Bernalillo County Medical Center in 1968 to emphasize its dedication to serving the entire community. The university took over the hospital's operation in 1969, while Bernalillo County retained ownership of the facility and property.

Over the years, UNMH has undergone several expansions to meet the growing healthcare needs of the region. The Mental Health Center opened in 1969, followed by the UNM Cancer Center in 1975, which remains the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in New Mexico. In 1981, Carrie Tingley Hospital, originally founded in Hot Springs in 1937 for children with disabilities, relocated to Albuquerque and became part of the UNMH system. UNMH achieved Level I trauma center status in 1983, solidifying its position as a leading provider of emergency medical care.

State-of-the-Art Facilities and Specialized Care

UNMH is a 384-bed acute, tertiary care facility and boasts advanced infrastructure to deliver comprehensive medical services. A significant addition to the hospital was the Barbara and Bill Richardson Pavilion, a 455,000-square-foot, six-story building that opened in June 2007. This pavilion enhances the hospital's capacity and capabilities, ensuring patients receive the best possible care.

UNMH is equipped to handle a wide array of medical conditions and is home to several specialized units:

Level I Trauma Center: As New Mexico's only Level I trauma center, UNMH provides the highest level of care for patients with severe injuries.
Burn Unit: The hospital houses the state's only burn unit, offering specialized treatment for burn victims.
Comprehensive Stroke Center: UNMH features the state's first comprehensive stroke center, equipped to provide advanced care for stroke patients.
Children's Hospital: UNM Children’s Hospital is the only full-service children’s hospital in the state, offering a wide range of pediatric services and 13 pediatric sub-specialties.

Commitment to Digital Health and Innovation

UNMH has earned the 2024 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired recognition as a certified level 8 organization, reflecting its effective application of core and advanced technologies to improve health and care. The CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program conducts an annual survey to assess how healthcare organizations integrate technology into their clinical and business programs. This recognition demonstrates UNMH's commitment to leveraging digital solutions to enhance patient outcomes and streamline operations.

Comprehensive Services and Patient-Centered Care

UNMH offers a broad spectrum of medical services, catering to diverse patient needs. The hospital is dedicated to providing patient-centered care, ensuring that each individual receives personalized attention and treatment.

Key services provided by UNMH include:

Emergency Care: The new ER at UNMH on Lomas offers state-of-the-art facilities and expert medical staff to handle emergency situations.
Cancer Care: The UNM Cancer Center provides comprehensive cancer treatment, research, and support services. It has also consistently received the Women’s Choice Award® for America’s Best Hospitals Cancer Care.
Cardiac Care: UNMH has received the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus awards, demonstrating its commitment to providing high-quality cardiac care.
Women's Health: Dr. Savanna Bustos and other personnel offer kind, informative, and caring services, addressing women's health needs with a focus on individual concerns.
Pediatric Care: UNM Children’s Hospital provides comprehensive care for infants, children, and adolescents, addressing a wide range of medical conditions.
Mental Health Services: The UNM Psychiatric Center offers mental health services.
Rehabilitation Services: Carrie Tingley Hospital provides rehabilitation services.

Addressing Community Health Needs Through the Health Commons Model

UNMH leaders recognize that various factors such as poverty and lack of insurance contribute to health problems. To address these issues, UNMH developed the Health Commons concept in collaboration with safety net stakeholders, with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) Community Access Program (CAP).

The Health Commons model promotes universal access to primary care homes, creating a one-stop system for medical, behavioral, dental, and social services. Key features of this model include:

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Integrated services with advanced case management and links to community resources through community health workers.
Expanded training of community-based, interdisciplinary health professionals.
Development of pipelines to build a diverse workforce of health professionals.
Ensuring the Health Commons becomes a source of local employment and economic development.

Initially, four Health Commons models were created for urban and rural communities, supported by the Central New Mexico CAP and the Department. Collaborators included federally qualified health centers, the Indian Health Service, an urban Indian health clinic, a homeless clinic, rural clinical services, and the New Mexico Health Department.

Impact of the Health Commons Model

Integrating primary care with oral, behavioral, and social services has led to several positive outcomes:

Decreased duplication of services.
Reduced visit times and no-show rates.
Maximized use of clinician time.
Economic development in indigent communities.

The success of the Health Commons model has encouraged UNM Health Sciences Center to engage in a statewide initiative to improve the health status of New Mexicans. This includes replicating Health Commons models in different areas and establishing community-run Cooperative Health Extension Offices to facilitate access to AHC resources in education, service, research, and policy.

A Focus on Safety and Well-being

Student safety is an institutional priority at The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center (HSC). UNMH is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, and staff.

Division of Hospital Medicine

UNM's Division of Hospital Medicine leads in inpatient medicine through high-quality, patient-centered care, educational excellence, and faculty well-being. Research groups within the division work to improve inpatient care, create best practices, and participate in quality review. They collaborate with interprofessional teams to address complex issues such as emergency department overcrowding and patient safety.

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The division offers an Advanced Practice Provider Hospital Medicine Fellowship (APP) for nurse practitioners and physician assistants during their first year of practice and is always seeking faculty who are passionate about hospital medicine and teaching.

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