Unm Cancer Center

I had a great experience interacting and getting care with the staff at UNM care for a few outpatient operations/procedures this year. It is to note that even though the center is called Cancer Center, there are other non-oncology related specialists who work here as well (so if you got referred to some specialists at this place like I did, don't think it's all about cancer. Some specialists do work specialized in cancer as well as other things).I had 2 different outpatient operations with 2 different specialists (one in ENT and another in Interventional Radiology) at the UNM Cancer Center this year. My experiences in general were positive. The staff (doctor specialist and specialist nurse) really knew what they were doing and took the time to answer any questions/concerns that I had prior to and post my procedures. Both (unrelated procedures) went smoothly and not only they had the pre-procedure meetings with me, they also had post-procedure meetings to make sure everything was going as smoothly as planned.The only thing that I had was...even though the procedures were operated at the main UNM hospital, my appointments related to staff with the cancer cencer did not show up in my UNM patient portal (I guess their systems don't interconnect on patient-facing side), so it was a little annoying to have to keep track of my own appointments in my own calendars vs going to see everything I had scheduled with UNM on that patient portal thing (same thing with UNM dental appointment/physical therapy/rehabilitation appt...they don't show up in patient portal either!!).But overall, my procedures went well. The operations and details to make sure the aftermath of the operation looked as unnoticeable to laymen's eyes were impeccable. I applauded the staff here for spending and dedicating their time serving in NM where it seemed to fail to attract many quality medical professionals.

A truly fightening, bullying, and horrible experience. I waited over 3 hours from my appointment time to see the doctor. I had never before waited this long to see a doctor. It is unprecedented. The doctor took a bullying tone immediately. The doctor would not even let me ask any questions. There was no sign that this was going to be a partnership, but only a one way street with them telling me what I had to do in the most threatening of ways. In fact, I was told that if I didn't do what s/he was suggesting we might as well discuss palliative care. There was not one bit of kindness or positivity in the interaction. It was a unilateral situation right from the start. It was devoid of any bed side manner and any sense of compassion or kindness for my situation as the patient. A list of treatments was rattled off while the doctor scribbled notes I could barely understand on a piece of paper, then the life threatening side effects was rattled off like a firing gun in rapid succession with no sensitivity for the fear and trepidation that this presentation might cause. This doctor was going to tell you what to do, and it was going to be their way or the highway. I could not even get a question in. Also, I learned later that the doctor had offered inaccurate and incorrect advice that upon further research showed to be outdated and poorly researched information which other doctors I consulted later differed on later as well. Also, the facility does not have proton beam radiation therapy or other latest technology advancements or seem to be aware of the latest treatment advancements in several areas. When the oncologist was asked about this advancement in radiation therapy options (Proton Beam), he claimed rather vehemently that it was ineffective and unnecessary! However, this is the opposite of what all the new studies on it are saying. The facility is also pushing outdated scans that expose patients to unnecessary risks and radiation. DWI WB-MRI should be offered to everyone in the future to scan the entire body for cancer. This is what they are doing at UT Southwestern (with a 7 minute scan), just Google it for more. When I asked why they don't offer this technology or other advancements here, I was given all kinds of outstandingly bad replies such as that technology is too expensive, as well as other excuses such as that their insurance is only covered for standard of care that does not offer this technology yet. This seemed really backward. Our health and the health of cancer patients in New Mexico should not have to wait on the facilities billing procedures or the time for doctors to learn about these advancements if they are resistent to change and not open to learning new things. After all this, I was still being bullied into their outdated tests being told I must do what they recommended almost threateningly instead of looking at these alternatives at all. There was an utter failure to advocate for better care or discuss advancements and newer options. Doing less harm should be the first concern of all doctors. However, overall doing more harms to the patient did not seem to be a concern for these doctors at UNMCC. The only concern was the expense to their bottom line and maintaining status quo even if it is outdated and behind the latest technology and advancements. On top of all this bad outdated information, I was treated with rude remarks, personal questions that went nowhere and the only purpose seemed to be to insult me pointedly based on assumption made about my chart - all likely because I had questioned their standard of care. Horrid service, scary and dour bad attitudes hiding behind smiling faces looking to collect your money. Buyer be warned. Seek better care elsewhere. I am now headed to UT Southwestern of MD Anderson.

First off, I'm going to advise anyone that is looking for help from this facility is in for a big disappointment. I recommend running as far and as fast as you can from here. The bureaucratic red tape process is incredibly monumental here. Do not expect any kind of compassion or understanding of your medical condition. The second recommendation is to look out of state at far better facilities. Unfortunately for me, the procedure I was looking at can only be performed at this crappy location called a "top tier cancer center". I'm exploring other options currently.To kick off this review, the first issue, the financial aid people are totally incompetent and have no clue what they are doing. I can't tell you how many times they have called me asking for paperwork that was sitting right there in front of them. The awesome part is they are always asking for additional paperwork when they could just ask for all of it upfront. Its so great how they piecemeal and drag out the process.Second- its so awesome when a full fledged nurse calls and doesn't even know what a particular procedure is and you have to explain it to them. I thought that's what going to nursing school was supposed to accomplish? I thought nurses were supposed to know what the f*&k they are talking about when talking to you about your condition?Third, its so awesome when they keep moving your appointments around. You get a date and then they cancel on you at the last minute. For me it was a constant issue. There were times I was rolling into Albuquerque for an appointment when the cancer center would call to either cancel an appointment or they would tell me that they were not seeing anyone in person due to Covid. This was in June of 2021 mind you. You would think they would tell you that beforehand. Nothing like wasting time and gas. The tipping point was when the center called and accused me of canceling a PET scan, after arguing they finally admitted they didn't have the chemical available to perform the PET scan. So to make a long story short, they needed ME to reschedule everything. Why the f**k is it up to me to fix YOUR guys f**k up? I pulled the plug on this whole s**t show at this point.Fourth issue- the waiting times are incredible. I always show up at least thirty minutes prior to any appointment. I waited fifteen minutes past my appointment time and then waited for over an hour in the examination room before the doctor could see me. I just so enjoy waiting and getting billed for it. The bill came out to an hour which was an ungodley 500 bucks for fifteen minutes of my life I'll never get back.The fifth issue was a big concern for me. They say they never turn people away for services. That is one big steaming dung pile of a lie. I have seen them do it in front of god and country to people. One guy was in there for a colonoscopy for possible colon cancer. They turned him away because his health insurance didn't cover the procedure. You would think the doctor would have a bit more compassion, dignity, and common sense and pull the guy out of the room away from everyone within earshot to explain this to him. Instead, he goes blabbering this out so everyone could hear. How embarrassing it must have been for the patient.Lastly, I blame the top tier BS artists admins of this facility for all of the above issues. They all need to be fired with extreme prejudice and a new more caring and understanding team bought in to streamline the process. Whenever a corporate run organization get involved in a person's health, it always means trouble. But then again money is the big motivator for this cancer center. They don't give two-sh%#s for anyone or their health. They just want the money and get to produce no results. I can't stress this enough about the incompetence of this facility. Go do yourself, your health, and your mental health a big favor and find somewhere else.

Can't say enough great things about the care here. Traveling from out of town, they are extremely considerate of appointment times, etc. Every staff person, nurse, doctor, etc have been responsive and compassionate. Although this is not the place I'd wish that anyone had to come, they sure make dealing with a tough situation much easier. Thank you UNM Cancer center!!

This beautiful facility is an NCI (National Cancer Institute) designated center which means a lot in a state not known for its medical care. Its doctors work both there and at UNM Hospitals, which is the only level 1 trauma center in NM and also a source of exemplary medical care. It is great to have a choice in where to have your surgery or radiology studies done (the Cancer Center is much easier). Everyone in the Cancer Center is thoughtful and caring; they know why you are there and do not add to your stress. I have not had experience with the infusion area (thankfully) but every other aspect of the UNM Cancer Center has been wonderful. My doctor and his support staff are of the highest caliber. I did not feel any need to seek a second opinion in my care; I had and continue to have every confidence in the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Appointments scheduled a month in advance, but did not receive new patient package until I called to ask about it, the day before the first appointment. Pulmonologist was excellent. Urologist could have been better. Administration is very bad. Their patient portal doesn't connect with their scheduling system. So you can't see any appointments online, past or present. Request for medical records from one department to another lost in their system after two attempts. Medical records personnel are extremely rude on the phone even when I am being extra nice and courteous. MD Anderson is so much better I'd rather drive 12 hours and have to pay for hotels than ever go here again.

My neighbor's brother had his leukemia care at UNM Cancer Center, which is the only comprehensive cancer center in New Mexico. You otherwise would need to go to Mayo or MD Anderson for specialty care or clinical trials. He has come through an amazingly challenging ordeal. I can't say enough for the amazing nurses.

I have been waiting for two hours just to get vitals checked and now the doctor is still behind so I'm gonna have to wait for a couple more hours. Last time I can here I had to wait four hours in the waiting room. This service is trash!

Not a lot of reviews here. Perhaps that's for a reason. Cindy, at 505-925-0145, called this morning to advise me that five (5) bills related to my wellness had not been paid by my insurance company. Turns out the Medicare portion had been paid and the bills were not submitted for further payment. Calling Cindy resulted in an automatic answering service saying there was no one at that number and that I would be forwarded to the operator. That didn't happen. There was no operator. Is this an unusual treatment for cancer? I'm not feeling well.