Specialty Services

The internal medicine specialist typically treats adults and the pediatric specialist treats infants, children, and adolescents. Medical specialists are usually accessed through a referral from a primary care physician who determines which specialist is the most appropriate for the suspected disease process or condition.

Cardiology - A cardiologist is an internal medicine physician who specializes in conditions related to the heart and blood vessels.  Heart Center

Gastroenterology - Gastroenterology is a branch of internal medicine in which the digestive system and its disorders are studied, diagnosed, and treated.  The organs usually included are the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum, liver and pancreas.

Endocrinology - Physicians trained in endocrinology are concerned with the molecules that act as signals from one type of cell to another, or hormones.  The endocrine system consists of several glands that release chemicals into the blood in order to coordinate proper development and functions of the entire body.  Three of the more common disorders treated by an endocrinologist are thyroid conditions, severe osteoporosis, and certain types of diabetes.

Pulmonary - Pulmonary physicians provide expert care for those who suffer from acute and chronic diseases affecting the lungs and respiratory tract.  They provide out- patient services for conditions such as severe asthma, emphysema, and exposure to toxins or infections and use treatment regimens that meet national practice standards.  They also provide in-hospital services for pneumonia and respiratory failure and are part of the critical care team in the Intensive Care Units.

Neurology - Neurologists diagnose and treat those who suffer from disorders that affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), the peripheral nervous system (nerves in face, body, arms and legs), and the autonomic nervous system.  Major conditions treated by neurologists include headaches, seizure disorders, cerebral palsy, and movement disorders.  They also provide their expertise in coordinating care with psychiatrists and geriatricians for mental diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Rheumatology - Rheumatology is an internal medicine specialty that diagnoses and treats problems involving the joints and connective tissues.  These problems include rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, vasculitis, and lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases.

Geriatrics - A physician who specializes in geriatrics is usually a family physician or internal medicine physician who focuses on health promotion and the prevention and treatment of disease and disability of those in later life.

Oncology - Oncology is the specialty that studies, diagnoses and treats cancer. Medical oncologists treat cancers with medication and chemotherapy; surgical oncologists use surgery to attempt to remove tumors; and radiation oncologists treat the various types of cancers using a type of radiation x-ray.

Hospice - Hospice is a specialized program designed to care for the patient with a terminal illness that has a life expectancy of 6 months or less if the disease follows its normal progression. An interdisciplinary team works together to care for the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient. Patient and family centered care are key in hospice. Hospice assists the patient with pain and symptom management, maintaining their dignity in dealing with issues surrounding death and dying. Presbyterian hospice provides care in the patient’s home, in a nursing home or in assisted living. Inpatient care is available at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital on the hospice unit. The “open access” philosophy is followed to allow for a more flexible approach for accepting patients into hospice and allowing for more expanded treatment options based upon the palliative care philosophy. Hospice admission nurses are available in Presbyterian Hospital to assist with timely assessment of patients for admission into hospice.

Palliative Medicine - Palliative medicine is interdisciplinary care that is focused on relieving physical, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual suffering. It focuses on pain and symptom management for patients with advanced diseases. Help with preparation for end of life is addressed by planning and educating the patient and family. Addressing the current symptoms, deciding on life-extending measures, their benefits and burdens, coordinating care following hospitalization as well as planning for the end of life are all components of palliative medicine. The palliative consult team is available in Albuquerque at the Presbyterian Hospital to assess the patient and initiate palliative medicine while the patient is hospitalized. Continuation of the care is provided by the Presbyterian Home Health Palliative Care team that follows patients in their homes.

Hospitalist - Doctors whose primary professional focus is hospital medicine are called hospitalists. Most are internal medicine trained with additional training or specialization in pulmonary or critical care. They manage the care and treatment of patients who are admitted to the hospital with medical conditions that require hospitalization or they coordinate care with surgical specialists. They are often responsible for the care of the patient from admittance to discharge and are frequently involved with patient education and quality assurance.

Intensivist - Intensivists or Critical Care Physicians are specialists that have received additional years of training to care for our patients who are critically ill. Our Intensivists are devoted to the ICU on a full-time basis, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year. The Intensivists lead the Critical Care Team including nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, dieticians and other professionals to provide patients with continuous and consistent care. Intensivists coordinate the care of each patient and work closely with other specialists, and spend time with patients and their families.

Emergency Medicine - Emergency Medicine focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses and injuries that can be life threatening requiring immediate medical attention. Emergency physicians treat a broad variety of patients that may require admission to the hospital or releasing the patient home after their treatment. An emergency medicine physician has special training and has a broad field of knowledge and advanced life saving procedural skills. These skills can include surgical procedures, trauma resuscitation, advanced cardiac life support, and advanced airway management.

Sleep Disorders -The center allows specially trained professionals to diagnose and treat various sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy, to name a few. This is done in the sleep laboratory, a carefully monitored environment, through the use of specialized equipment.

Women’s Health 

Pediatric Medical Specialists - Presbyterian Medical Group has physicians specializing in diseases that affect infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. While most of the conditions can be managed by the pediatrician, some diseases require additional expertise. The specialists include those trained in endocrinology, neurology, gastroenterology, pulmonary, cardiology, and as hospitalists.