San Juan Regional Medical Center is proud to play a small role in preparing future physicians for a successful career in the medical field. We were fortunate to host three University of New Mexico students, all with roots in Farmington, for shadowing opportunities across various patient care areas of our organization.

Bria Cohen, Victoria Rempe and Mercedes Silva are juniors in UNM’s combined BA/MD program. They spent several weeks this summer shadowing our physician preceptors in areas including Anesthesia, Pediatrics, Urgent Care, Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Emergency Department, EMS, AirCare, and Patient Experience. Here’s what they had to say about their time with us.

Bria Cohen with Dr. Brad Scoggins, Pediatrician

“We had the opportunity to see and experience so much. I got to see patient care from every angle. I was able to learn different things about the community than I had known growing up here previously. I got to see a different side of medicine. I enjoyed seeing where medicine could take me.”

Victoria Rempe with Dr. Brittnay Kimbell, Pediatrician

“Everyone I interacted with was very invested in our learning and our future. Our community is very lucky to have Dr. Kimbell. She gives her patients plenty of time to make sure they understand what she is telling them, and she taught us how important it is to do research for our patients. I’m really looking forward to going into medicine.”

Mercedes Silva with Dr. Joseph Szekely, Obstetrician-Gynecologist 

“We got to see behind the scenes of what it’s really like to work in a rural community. Even though it’s such a fast-paced atmosphere, the doctors were so present with their patients and with us. They really took us under their wing, and we are so appreciative of that as students.” 

Thank you to our amazing preceptors for the mentorship they are providing to the next generation of medical professionals.