Match Day celebrations, surprises for colleges of medicine

March 19, 2024
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Five College of Medicine – Tucson fourth-year medical students hold up small signs in celebration after finding out where they matched for residency.

(From left) Kinza Ahmed, Samantha Nemivant, Andria Albert, Meghana Partha and Michael Culbert celebrate their residency matches at the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson Match Day celebration.

Nearly 200 fourth-year medical students from the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and the College of Medicine – Phoenix gathered with classmates, friends and family March 15, to find out where they were matched for their upcoming residencies in their chosen specialties.

The class of 2024 tore open their envelopes at exactly 9 a.m. to learn where they will start the next phase of their medical education. More than half (51%) of the College of Medicine – Tucson and about a third (32%) of the College of Medicine – Phoenix students will be entering into primary care specialties. Primary care is an area of immense need and the focus of the UArizona Health Sciences Primary Care Physicians Scholarship. About 30% will remain in Arizona for their residency.

Match Day, which occurs on the third Friday in March nationwide, is the culmination of four years of study, research and rotations for medical students. The match process is conducted by the National Residency Matching Program and medical students are obligated to serve where they matched.

Matches were made to more than 65 training centers in about 30 states across the country. 

For a full story and Match Day profiles for the College of Medicine – Phoenix, visit its website. For more stories and profiles for College of Medicine – Tucson, visit its website. And for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put on the Match Day festivities at both colleges of medicine, see Health Sciences Connect