Finding the right institution for your neurology residency is key to starting your career off right. In an ideal environment, neurology residents are supported by dedicated faculty and able to gain hands-on experience with a variety of neurological conditions.
At the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Department of Neurology, our residents are a huge part of the community. From clinical patient care and diagnostics to engaging in research, they contribute to every aspect of our mission.
While all our residents have hard work and passion in common, neurology residents at UNM HSC come from across the country, with many different clinical and personal backgrounds. Meet a member of the residency team and learn what brought him to our community.
Lane Bannwart M.D, Second-Year Resident, Followed His Sense of Adventure
Where did you go to medical school?
I went to medical school at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, which is in an area that faces unique health challenges such as disease-bearing mosquitoes and tuberculosis. So, I saw many tropical diseases that are rarely encountered in the U.S., occurring in an underserved population.
What made you decide to choose UNM HSC?
In medical school, I did neuroscience research on pain disparities across minorities and people of different socioeconomic statuses. This research made me want to be part of a community that really needed neurological expertise. New Mexico has a diverse population and a shortage of neurologists, so the work we do here is extremely necessary.
Why neurology?
As a child, I wanted to be a fighter pilot. I realized in college, through neuroscience research, that medicine could be just as thrilling as my dream of being a fighter pilot. In undergrad, I studied psychology and neuroscience. Like many others, I became fascinated with learning how the brain works.
My father has a neurological disease called neurofibromatosis type 2, and I saw the effects that these conditions can have on individuals firsthand. I also valued supporting family members, who were in the same position I once was, through difficult conversations.
What is your specialization?
My problem is that I like almost every aspect of neurology, so I’m still figuring out exactly what I want to do. I enjoy my time in the neuro ICU. I’m also always excited to see what’s around the corner in terms of treatment for brain bleeds, injury, and stroke. There are a lot of changes happening in that field, and it would be exciting to be a part of that.
When did you know you were in the right program at the right time?
Helping patients at the end of life and honoring their wishes is one of the most important things a doctor can do. We think about medicine as saving lives, but it’s also about ensuring quality of life. While this kind of care can be difficult, it’s also extremely powerful. The doctors and UNM HSC have so much empathy and kindness during these difficult discussions, and those moments really let me know that I’m in the right place.
What advice do you have for incoming residents about how to choose where to train?
Go to a place that fosters your interests, with supportive faculty and cases that interest you. For me, I knew that UNM HSC has expertise in all the major subspecialties of neurology, so I could get broad exposure to become either a specialist or a generalist.
Looking for an impactful education in neurology? Schedule a call with JJ Maloney, Medical Education Program Manager for the UNM HSC Department of Neurology