VCU news

By Alisa Sweeney
VCU Communications and Public Relations

The futures of 174 fourth-year Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine students were determined in the tradition of Match Day as students tore open envelopes to reveal the locations of the residency programs where they will spend the next several years of their lives.

Match Day, a tradition that began in 1952, occurs at noon on the third Thursday of March each year. After the exhausting process of applying and interviewing, which begins in December and January, results are delivered to eager medical students all over the country.

This year, eight students were matched to Early Match programs prior to Match Day, including one in child neurology, four in ophthalmology and three in urology. These programs are considered highly competitive. An additional six students have matched to the Armed Forces – four in the Army and two in the Navy.

Friends, family and faculty members gathered around to support the remaining students as their futures were determined.

“It has been great to see everyone so excited,” said class president Vibin Roy.

“Most of us have been waiting for this all our lives, so it’s exciting to see where everyone ends up.”

The event, which was held at the Woman’s Club of Richmond, Bolling-Haxall House, featured a Mardi Gras theme complete with colorful beads and masks. Attendees enjoyed food and beverages.

The match process is coordinated by the National Resident Matching Program. The program matches thousands of graduating medical students from all over the United States and Canada with various hospital internships and residencies based on how the students and hospitals both rank their top choices.

This year, the VCU School of Medicine had 97 percent of students match with one of their top choice residency programs, exceeding the national average. Many of these students matched in highly competitive fields. Six students matched in otolaryngology, seven in orthopedic surgery, nine in anesthesiology, 13 in radiology and 82 in primary care.

One student matched to a cardiothoracic residency program at the University of Maryland. There are only 10 overall spots in the nation at a variety of schools for this program.

“My goal was to help these students find a career that will make them as happy as I am in my career,” said Christopher Woleben, M.D., associate dean of student affairs and assistant professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics. “I hope they find that in the residencies they were matched to.”