Campus Connection

In the span of a few hours on March 20, about 150 fourth-year medical students joined thousands of their fellow classmates nationwide in discovering the future path of their medical training following graduation in May.  Davidge Hall was filled to capacity as students, faculty, families, and friends joined in the suspense and festivities of Match Day, as it is annually known. 

After graduating from medical school, most physicians seek additional training in their specialty during a period known as residency.  In order to coordinate this process, an organization known as the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) utilizes a computer algorithm to “match” the preferences of students with those of applicable residency programs.  Graduating students are thus bound to the decision of the NRMP in determining their specific residency program. 

Match Day at UMB began with a presentation by Milton Foxwell, M.D., the associate dean of admissions, highlighting the over 200-year history of the School of Medicine.  He told stories of early faculty who used techniques such as “cupping” and “leeching” on their patients in days when medicine was not as clearly understood and of intrigue and rivalry between universities and even students and faculty that led to gun duels in the 1800s. 

According to information provided by Gina Madrinan-Perez, M.D., an assistant dean at the Office of Student Affairs, this year’s medical graduates matched into 102 programs located at 62 hospitals and 20 different states.  About 26 percent of the class is entering a primary care field—the highest percentage of the last several years.  The specialties of family medicine and surgery experienced the greatest increase with 8% and over 10%, respectively, of the graduating class entering each field.  

“So remember to get your rest; take care of yourself,” Dr. Perez quipped to the soon-to-be surgeons.  

At noon, the suspense was palpable as a wooden box was brought to Davidge Hall containing envelopes and letters addressed to each student with the name of the program at which he or she matched.  “My own Match Day was ten years ago to the day, and I remember everything about it…and I’m sure you all will as well,” said Joseph Martinez, M.D. an assistant dean of student affairs who announced each randomly drawn envelope.  Then one by one, each student retrieved their letter to applause and often much fanfare from friends and family. 

Eric Orlowsky, who matched at the University of South Carolina to study family medicine said, “It was more exciting than I expected.”  Though many of his classmates found Match Day nerve-wracking, Orlowsky exuded confidence.  “I actually wasn’t nervous…I had interviewed at a lot of really good programs…[and so] I knew that I was going to a good program somewhere.”  

“I think it’s fair to say that this will be your most memorable day in all of medical school, even more than graduation probably,” said Dr. Martinez to the graduating students. 

In a lunch event at the Hippodrome following the match ceremony, Dr. Martinez went from table to table taking a pulse of students’ satisfaction with their future programs and specialties.  

“It’s always hard to know where people ranked on their lists and if they’re happy with where they’re going,” said Dr. Martinez.  “Just from walking around the room and talking to people it seems that most people are pretty pleased with their match.”  

According to the NRMP, 2008 had the largest number of applicants in the history of the match with nearly 29,000 students nationally seeking one of 22,000 residency positions.  A record number of those applicants—over 15,000—were U.S. medical school graduates, with 94.2 percent garnering a successful match to a residency position.  The number of available positions was also at an all-time high after an increase of 395 additional positions from last year.  

A list of the Class of 2008’s matched residency programs is available online here from the School of Medicine’s Office of Student Affairs.  

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