I needed a break from the hospital one evening.. so I decided to take a walk on campus ad found this gem. Duck Pond, but really the whole campus is beautifully landscaped. You're in an oasis far from reality at times here. Perfect medicine

This is a nice large clean campus. The only bad thing is probably the bicycle theft. Even if you use ulock, there's high chance that it might get stolen. Duck pond is one the best places to chill. Architecture building library has the best view of Sandia mountains from campus. If you love to watch full moon, Johnson field is a good place!

UNM’s check-in process is unnecessarily inefficient and actively works against patients, and staff appear just as frustrated by it as patients are. Patients are not clearly instructed how early to arrive for appointments. At my first visit, I checked in 20 minutes early, only to arrive 15 minutes late to my appointment — entirely due to UNM’s own process. The delay came from waiting in line to check in, repeatedly signing the same paperwork, and then having to walk several minutes to a different building after check-in. To make matters worse, there is a second check-in at the actual doctor’s office, which consists solely of informing staff that you’ve arrived. This adds another redundant step with no apparent benefit. On two separate visits, reception staff at different clinics openly discussed how frustrating it was that they are not notified when patients are delayed coming from the main hospital check-in. In other words, patients arrive late through no fault of their own, clinics aren’t informed, and both sides are left frustrated — a clear coordination failure. Patients are also routinely required to re-sign multiple consent forms at every visit (HIPAA acknowledgment, communication consent, permission to be seen), even when these were signed recently within the same system. I was incorrectly told this repetition is “required by law.” It is not. This appears to be a system or workflow failure being passed off to patients as a legal necessity. The cumulative effect is predictable: long lines, delayed appointments, unnecessary stress, and breakdowns in communication — especially harmful for patients dealing with medical or mental health issues. You can arrive early, follow instructions, and still be late through no fault of your own. This is not a front-desk staff problem. It is a leadership and systems problem. Until UNM streamlines check-in, integrates records properly, and improves interoffice communication, patients and staff alike will continue to pay the price for institutional inefficiency.

Since becoming a patient within the UNM system, I have repeatedly encountered situations where I was directed to seek care outside the system because services were not available. For example, my primary care physician told me that I would need to find treatment elsewhere for my PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder because UNM’s psychologists and psychiatrists were largely functioning in administrative, teaching, or supervisory roles rather than treating patients directly. As a result, my PCP attempted to manage my psychotropic medications using trial-and-error adjustments. That approach led to severe emotional instability, including periods of intense anger and depression. In such circumstances, the potential consequences could have been catastrophic, yet the system offered little meaningful support. I also experienced a misunderstanding with an eye surgeon, after which I was told that the surgeon would not perform the procedure and that I would need to find another specialist outside the UNM system. Without that surgery, I risk permanent vision loss. Once again, the responsibility for locating necessary medical care has been placed on me. I am currently dealing with a serious medical issue that requires an ultrasound for diagnosis, yet the earliest available appointment was six months away. I previously had to wait five months for an initial appointment with sleep medicine, even though I already had a diagnosis of sleep apnea. While the University of New Mexico Hospital continues to expand and renovate its main facilities, many patients are struggling to access basic medical and behavioral health services because of severe provider shortages. I understand that some funding is restricted to capital projects. Still, from a patient’s perspective, the emphasis on physical expansion and modernization can feel disconnected from the realities of care delivery. Buildings do not treat patients—clinicians do. When patients face long delays, fragmented care, and limited access to specialists, it raises important questions about priorities. The result is a system that may appear increasingly modern, yet is becoming harder for patients to navigate and less humane for those who depend on it. To be clear, I do not believe the frontline staff is the problem. Many of them are dedicated professionals doing their best under difficult conditions. The issue appears systemic and reflects institutional decisions that prioritize expansion and infrastructure over accessibility, continuity of care, and patients' practical needs. For those of us who depend on UNM for medical care, the current situation raises serious concerns about whether the system is fulfilling its fundamental mission to provide timely and humane treatment. **** Medicare's rating of UNM Medical is 2 out of five stars. That speaks volumes about the quality and quantity of care available to seniors from UNM Medical.

Working on getting a kidney transplant. Everyone on the transplant team is great. Friendly, courteous, and on the ball. Making all the hoops easy to jump thru.