Maria Celina Montoya, MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Biography

I am passionate about medical education and both didactic and surgical teaching of medical students and residents. I am committed to improving and developing the medical education of all learners in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. I have been accepting learners into my private, continuity clinics since I was a third year resident for a specialty exploration experience. I am currently the Clerkship Director for the core OB/GYN clerkship for phase II medical students. I orient the students to the clerkship, supervise standardized sensitive pelvic exams, guide them through a suture and knot-tying workshop and provide timely, in-person feedback. I have mentored a multitude of medical students beginning in Phase I of medical school. I continue to regularly take phase I and phase II medical students both at my private clinic at Sandoval Regional Medical Center and at the University Women’s Health Clinic. I also mentor 4th year medical students who have chosen a career in OB/Gyn as they prepare and apply for residency through the electronic residency application service (ERAS) and foster an intensive ‘Bootcamp’ before beginning residency. I mentor third year medical students during their OB/Gyn clerkship and deliver lectures on STDs, Postpartum Hemorrhage and OB Simulation of Vaginal delivery and Foley placement. I designed and implemented a curriculum on Labor and Delivery topics for Ob/GYN medical students, residents, Family Medicine Interns and Anesthesia Interns. I work closely with residents and have mentored 4 residents in my four years as faculty. I especially work closely with 2nd year residents while at Sandoval Regional Medical Center and feel privileged to be the faculty member that guides these residents through their first major gynecologic surgery. In this regard, I provide a structured approach and timely feedback. I also guide residents in my private clinics, in the OR and on Labor and Delivery. I regularly volunteer to teach in the Gynecology Surgical Skills Simulation curriculum which allows learning and practice of surgical skills in a low stakes and safe environment. I plan to start a student wellness and resiliency curriculum and am working across departments and institutions in this regard. In addition, I have been privileged to be an invited lecturer locally, regionally and internationally.

Personal Statement

Montoya received a B.S. Degree in Cellular, Molecular Biology from San Diego State University (2005) and a Doctorate in Medicine (MD) from the University of New Mexico (2012). Following her MD, she completed residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of New Mexico (2016) and was Administrative Chief Resident. She became board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2017 and is active member. She is completing a fellowship in Integrative Medicine through the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona. She is the Clerkship Director for the OB/GYN clerkship and Director of Diversity for the Department of OB/GYN.