Health, Medicine and Human Values

Executive Director
Valerie Romero-Leggott, M.D., School of Medicine, Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences Center

Directors
Sushilla Knottenbelt, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Robert Sapién, M.D., School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine

Assistant Director
Sally Fortner, M.D., School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology

Institutional Address
Health, Medicine and Human Values Program
College of Arts and Sciences
University Advisement and Enrichment Center, Rm 127
MSC06 3855
(505) 277-2135
Combined B.A./M.D. Degree Program Web site - School of Medicine
Combined B.A./M.D. Degree Program Web site - College of Arts and Sciences

School of Medicine Faculty
Doug Binder, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine
Nancy Shane, Ph.D., Department of Undergraduate Medical Education

College of Arts and Sciences Faculty
Kristin Barker, Ph.D., Department of Sociology
Kate Cartwright, Ph.D., School of Public Administration
Claudia Diaz Fuentes, Ph.D., Department of Economics
Tamar Ginossar, Ph.D., Department of Communication and Journalism
Summer Hayek, Ph.D., Department of Biochemistry
Yangsun Hong, Ph.D., Department of Communication and Journalism
Kelly Howe, Ph.D., Department of Biology
Chris Johnston, Ph.D., Department of Biology
Sushilla Knottenbelt, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Mark Morgan-Tracy, Ph.D., Department of Physics and Astronomy
Ann Murphy, Ph.D., Department of Philosophy
Richard Santos, Ph.D., Department of Economics
David van der Goes, Ph.D., Department of Economics
Helen Wearing, Ph.D., Department of Biology, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Lisa Whalen, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Owen Whooley, Ph.D., Department of Sociology

Introduction

The Combined B.A./M.D. Degree Program presents a unique opportunity for a select group of qualified freshmen who wish to become physicians in New Mexico. The program is open to 28 students each academic year (refer to the information under the "Admissions and Eligibility" section of this page). The Health, Medicine and Human Values program, consists of (1) the undergraduate Health, Medicine and Human Values major, and (2) the pre-health Health, Medicine and Human Values minor available to all undergraduate students at UNM.

B.A./M.D. students complete a Bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts and Sciences in four years, after which they complete their Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the UNM School of Medicine where an admission seat has been reserved for them.

In consultation with a B.A./M.D. Advisor, students choose one of the following options: Option I: an Arts and Sciences major; Option II: the Health, Medicine and Human Values major: Health, Humanities and Society concentration, or Option III: the Health, Medicine and Human Values major: Biomedical Sciences concentration. Option I is designed for students who wish to receive a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in a liberal arts field, such as Anthropology, Biology, English, History, Psychology, or Sociology. Option II is designed for students who prefer a distributed liberal arts and sciences program of study. Option III is designed for those students who wish to pursue a rigorous program of study in the physical and natural sciences. All three options include a suite of courses in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and physical and natural sciences that prepare the student for medical school.

Note: The Health, Medicine and Human Values major does not require students to elect a minor.

Admissions and Eligibility

Undergraduate Continuous Eligibility

Students meet at least once a semester with the B.A./M.D. Advisor to review their continuing eligibility status. Those who do not meet continuing eligibility requirements are subject to probation as recommended by the Committee on Curriculum and Student Progress (CCSP). To remain in good standing in the undergraduate portion of the program, students must maintain the standards described in the B.A./M.D. Program Handbook.

Medical School Eligibility

To be eligible to continue into the UNM School of Medicine portion of the program, B.A./M.D. students must meet the eligibility criteria described in the B.A./M.D. Program Handbook.

Students who meet all eligibility requirements are reviewed by the School of Medicine Admissions Committee and receive formal, written approval for the transition into the medical curriculum.

Keys and Symbols Reference