Medical School students participated in Match Day earlier this month — the annual tradition where students are placed into their residency programs. The new residents will spend the next few years studying how medicine is applied in their specified field — anything from dermatology to surgery to psychiatry — while working alongside doctors to treat patients.
“The national ‘match’ for graduating medical students is a very special experience.,” Randolph J. Canterbury, Medical School senior associate dean of education, said in an email. “For the students, their ‘match’ likely will determine their field of practice, the location of their future practice and more. For medical schools, the ‘match’ is a measure of our quality and the respect we have as a medical school.”
The journey to this momentous day starts early for medical students. Students rank the residency programs of their choice and their match is made with that order kept in consideration.
“The match system works in our favor, because our rankings are considered before that of the programs we apply to,” Fourth-year medical graduate student Sumeet Lall said in an email. Lall will be performing his residency in internal medicine at the University of Rochester.
Match Day creates a roller coaster of emotions for both the students and the faculty and staff who have been working with them.
“My favorite part about Match Day is sharing the excitement of our students whom I’ve watched develop over the four years since they entered medical school,” Canterbury said. “The changes in them are immense. They’re so anxious and excited about the next phase of their education.”
Match Day serves as a culmination of students years of hard work and dedication.
“[Medical] school is different in that the concepts themselves are not difficult, there is just so much to memorize,” Lall said. “It really is a test of endurance and willpower. If you really know your reasons for going through this process that will carry you through in the most difficult of times.”
Canterbury said he it is important for students to receive education in their residency as exceptional as their education during their time at the University.
“There are many layers of importance of the ‘match,’ but most important is that our graduates receive high quality training that will prepare them further to provide excellence in the care of patients,” he said. “After all, taking care of patients is the reason we all are here.”
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