Education

Tearing with Tradition: Aspiring Doctors Learn Where They Will Train on Match Day

Mar. 17, 2023

At noon on Friday, March 17, aspiring doctors from across the country opened envelopes. Inside, students learned which institution they will train at as residents. It was the annual Match Day ceremony and at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry cheers, hugs, and tears filled the Class of '62 Auditorium as medical students and their loved ones shared this moment.

Indigo Gill, UCSF Family Medicine reacts after opening her letter. // University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry students find out where their residencies will be on Match Day at the URMC March 17, 2023. // photo by Keith Walters / University of Rochester

“This is a wonderful time in our academic year as our outstanding graduates’ transition to the next step in their medical training,” said David R. Lambert, MD, senior associate dean for medical school education at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. “Embodying the Biopsychosocial model, these trainees will find that their excellent preparation will distinguish them among others in their program.”

Clare Lennon matched with UR OBGYN, reads her match letter w/ husband Jeffrey Baird. // University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry students find out where their residencies will be on Match Day at the URMC March 17, 2023. // photo by Keith Walters / University of Rochester

Clare Lennon matched with UR OBGYN, reads her match letter with husband Jeffrey Baird. // photo by Keith Walters / University of Rochester

Ericka Scott matched with Emory University for OBGYN. // photo by Keith Walters / University of Rochester

At the beginning of their fourth year of medical school, students apply to and interview with institutions where they are interested in training. Students and programs separately submit lists ranking their preferences. The National Residency Match Program runs the ranking and selection process. It considers the preferences of students and the programs where they apply to make the best possible match for all. Students who participated in the early matches in urology and ophthalmology and students in the military were already notified of their training sites.

“Knowing our students will bring Rochester Medicine across the nation makes us all very proud, and in the spirit of Meliora, they will change patients' lives as healthcare leaders,” said Lambert. “They are the legacy of the medical student program that could not be successful without the work of our dedicated faculty and the administrative personnel who support the curriculum, admissions, and student affairs.”

Dr. David Lambert, senior associate dean of medical student education delivers opening remarks.

From Rochester's class of 2023, 32 students will stay at the University of Rochester Medical Center for their residency training and 70 will go elsewhere. The majority are staying in New York State (44) followed next by Pennsylvania (10), then California (9), and the rest of the 2023 graduates will be in 18 other states. Overall, UR SMD students pursuing residency training were placed in 23 different specialties, with the largest concentrations in Internal Medicine (19), Anesthesiology (9), Pediatrics (8), and Emergency Medicine (8).

There are 190 incoming residents and 70 fellows who matched at URMC. They will begin their training in Rochester this summer.