VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine this year experienced an unprecedented Match Day — the day when thousands of medical students learn which residency programs they will attend. Over the past four years, VCU has seen the percentage of its students who match increase steadily. This year, the university exceeded the national average with 96 percent of its students matching with a residency of their choice.

“We had an unusually high number of students who matched into the most competitive residencies and who will be training at extremely prestigious institutions,” said Jerome F. Strauss III, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the School of Medicine.

In an annual tradition, envelopes containing students’ matches are handed out at medical schools across the country at exactly noon on the third Thursday of March.

The process begins in December and January when students visit different hospitals all over the country to decide where they would like to perform their residencies. By the end of February, the students have ranked their top choices, while at the same time, the hospitals have ranked their top candidates.

The data is sent to the National Resident Matching Program in Washington, D.C., which was established in 1952 to match medical students with residencies. A computer algorithm is used to establish the matches, and sealed envelopes are sent to each medical school with the results. One by one, each student receives an envelope with the name of the institution where they will spend the next several years of their lives.

This year, 36 students matched with the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System for either preliminary, categorical or advanced positions. In terms of primary care, 31 students matched in internal medicine, 21 in pediatrics, 16 in family medicine and five in combined programs.

“The tremendous progress being made is attributable to many factors,” Strauss said. “The school has developed a four-year comprehensive career planning curriculum. Faculty on both the INOVA and MCV campuses have played a very active role in advising and advocating for students. The experienced staff in the Office of Student Affairs has continued to provide excellent service to the students. And, the Office of Graduate Medical Education and Program Directors have played an integral role in collaborating and advising the Office of Student Affairs.

“We are very proud of [the] accomplishments of the medical school class of 2008 and extremely appreciative of the services provided to them by our faculty,” he said.