After four years of preparation, graduating students at WVU’s School of Medicine learned where they’ll continue their training as residents Friday during a celebration known as Match Day.
“The way the system works is that the students all submit what’s called a ‘rank-order list,’ where they list the programs in their order of preference, and then the programs likewise rank the candidates in their order of preference that they would like to have them. And then a computer matches them up, and that’s why it’s called Match Day,” said Dr. Norman D. Ferrari, vice dean for education and academic affairs in the WVU School of Medicine, and chair of the department of medical education.
Medical students across the nation take part in the event. Those at Morgantown’s campus gathered at Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa.
In a class of 100, 41 students matched into programs in West Virginia.
While some students were aware of their match ahead of time — typically because they were staying local, for example doing a residency program at WVU — most others discovered their residency placements as they were called up and opened their envelopes.
“It will identify both the specialty choice as well as the location of their training, which can last anywhere from the next three to seven years depending on which specialty they’ve selected,” Ferrari said. “This is sort of a reward for all of their hard work and will really determine what type of physician they will become in the future, as they serve the public.”
Just before noon, envelopes were unveiled and drawn randomly. Each student had the chance to step to the podium and open their envelope to share the news about where their residency program will begin.
Students were joined by family, faculty, staff and administrators. Some got creative with their walk-up music to the podium, choosing songs such as “Chariots of Fire” and “Hakuna Matata.”
The largest percentage of the class, roughly 40 percent, placed into pediatrics.
