UNM Hospital

How could NM’s only Level 1 Trauma Center receive failing grades?

While many public institutions struggle due to underfunding, UNMH benefits from strong financial support, thanks to state oil and gas tax revenues and local levies. So, if money isn’t the issue—what is?

Political Priorities Over Patient Care

UNMH increasingly aligns with the agenda of the New Mexico Legislature, promoting social causes under the umbrella of healthcare—such as abortion, gender transition services, assisted end-of-life options, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In the process, the medical principle of “Do no harm” is overshadowed by political priorities.

Aborting Babies is Not Reproductive Health.

UNMH’s Center for Reproductive Health prominently features abortion services. Their website emphasizes that abortion remains legal and accessible in New Mexico, even post-Roe v. Wade, for both teens and adults.

At a Defending Life Dinner, a mother shared her experience with UNMH Maternity Care. When she confided in her midwife about being abandoned by her baby’s father and her financial struggles, she was referred to an abortion advisor—not offered support to carry her pregnancy to term. That’s not healthcare; that’s promoting an agenda.

Notably, abortion clinics in New Mexico operate without licensing or procedural inspections and are exempt from malpractice lawsuits. Evidence of this “patient is the last priority” is the abortion clinic’s phone recording message that does not start with “If this is a medical emergency, hang up and dial 911”.

Making a Boy into a Girl or Girl into a Boy is not Gender-Affirming  

 UNMH and the UNM Health Sciences Center follow the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) guidelines, offering hormone treatments and surgeries for minors. This includes procedures like mastectomy, hysterectomy, and genital surgeries.

Under 2023’s HB 7, minors can access these services without parental involvement. The bill doesn't mention parental rights, continuing the state's trend of removing parents from life-altering medical decisions.

Meanwhile, “conversion therapy” is banned by law, reinforcing a one-directional approach to gender identity issues. As Equality NM’s executive director put it: “Now we have the legal mechanism to ensure it doesn’t happen.”

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are not Synonymous with Quality Medical Care.

US News ranked the UNM School of Medicine seventh in the nation for diversity and eighty-sixth in quality. The focus has shifted from selecting the most qualified candidates to assembling the most diverse class.

The combined BA/MD program guarantees entry into medical school for a select group of DEI high school graduates. These students receive personalized academic instruction at the expense of rigorous competition and self-driven learning, which are essential for medical training. Failure rates among these BA/MD students are a closely guarded secret; however, UNM SOM graduates quietly suggest graduation rates are low for those students.

UNM SOM admissions are DEI-driven. One non-DEI candidate shared that during her interview, she was told by the interviewer, “I consider it my responsibility to select candidates who are like me, Latinas.” Another UNM SOM candidate who was on the “wait list” informed the admission office, “If there is a last-minute opening, they were prepared to step in.” the UNM SOM admissions person responded that the opening would be left unfilled.

Once in medical school, students quickly recognized disparities in work ethic and preparedness. Those who were competitive and self-driven (in their pursuit of top residency programs and medical specialties) covertly worked together to avoid being hindered by the DEI administrators.

 The Result of the Santa Fe Democrats Agenda  

When the UNMH and UNM SOM align their priorities with those of the New Mexico Legislature and the Governor, which is social engineering, then medical care suffers. This is evidenced by Leapfrog’s failing grades for UNM Hospital, an F in 2024 and a D in 2025.  

Ghost of University of New Mexico Hospital to Come  

Brian Colon, former Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman and former New Mexico Auditor, said, “Talking about death will not kill you, but instead, it's a gift that you can give your loved ones.”

One wonders what the future holds for UNM Hospitals, considering the Governor and Legislature's priority of abortion clinics over birth centers. Today, there are more abortion clinics than birthing centers, making it easier to abort a child than to birth a child. UNM SOM, with the assistance of Planned Parenthood, provides opportunities for medical students to see firsthand how simple it is to abort a child in Planned Parenthood abortion clinics. Could its future include compassionate end-of-life (a palliative care option) options for children who wish to avoid the services of the New Mexico Department of Children, Youth, and Families?  

Now that the legislative session is over, the post-legislative season begins. The Governor, Legislators, Lobbyists, and other organizations are touring the state, justifying their status as “elected officials,” their fees, and the value of their memberships.

Meanwhile, New Mexico continues to rank last among all states while squandering billions. At the same time, the good people of New Mexico die at record numbers due to drug overdoses and murder, and their survivors can’t even read their eulogy.