Rate My Professor Christopher Arndt

Dr. Christopher Arndt, MD, MBA, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. He has led the department as regular Chair since June 2021, following an interim appointment from September 2020 to May 2021. A double alumnus of UNM, Dr. Arndt earned his MD from the UNM School of Medicine in 2002 and completed his anesthesiology residency there in 2006. Prior to medical school, he served as a U.S. Navy officer aboard the USS Berkeley and USS Callaghan. He is currently completing a healthcare MBA at Brandeis University. Throughout his career at UNM, Dr. Arndt has held key leadership roles, including Associate Chair of the department, Vice Chair for Quality and Compliance, Medical Director of the UNM Outpatient Surgery Center, co-chair of the LoboWings Surgical Services Safety Committee, and Director of the Inpatient Acute Pain Service. He founded UNM’s Acute Pain and Regional Anesthesia fellowship and serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Board of the UNM Medical Group. Additionally, he has served as Interim President and CEO of the UNM Medical Group and participates in faculty governance as Chairperson for Anesthesiology in the UNM Faculty Senate.

Dr. Arndt’s clinical and scholarly interests focus on regional anesthesia, acute pain management, and ambulatory anesthesia. He has contributed to the academic literature with publications such as "Abdominal wall blocks" (2013). His leadership has advanced comprehensive perioperative anesthesia services at UNM Hospital, a Level I trauma center, UNM Children’s Hospital, and the University Outpatient Surgery Center, supporting over 50 faculty physicians, residents, fellows, and research in pain solutions. Dr. Arndt has been recognized multiple times as a Top Doctor in Anesthesiology by Albuquerque The Magazine, including awards in 2021, 2022, 2025, and 2026. His commitment to education, quality care, and innovation continues to influence anesthesiology training and practice in New Mexico.