UNM Eyes Med School Expansion

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The University of New Mexico is seeking funding to expand its medical school to battle the university's well-documented lack of space.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that school officials are seeking a $30 million expansion and will ask lawmaker for more funding next year. The university also is hoping to procure a private donor and get voters to approve bonds.

Health Sciences Center chief information officer Holly Shipp Buchanan says the lack of space is forcing medical students to pack in classrooms "like sardines" and that's affecting the quality of learning.

In addition, Buchanan says New Mexico's shortage of doctors and medical personnel is extreme, especially in rural areas.

UNM plans to increase its medical school class size by 50 percent by 2018 to meet demands.

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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.