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Leah Smith, far right, hugs classmate Jennifer Lovegreen after opening their Match Day envelopes to learn both will become resident physicians in MU’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health. A record number of MU medical students, 39 percent of the graduating class, will stay on campus to complete residencies.
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Record Number of Medical Students Choose to Stay at MU for Residencies
Students share excitement and emotion of National Match Day with family and friends
Envelopes were ripped open and the reactions to what was inside were expressed with laughter, hugs and tears. March 19, 2009, was Match Day for 85 fourth-year medical students at the University of Missouri. After spending at least 20 years in school, the students looked to the envelopes to find out where they would continue their medical education in a variety of clinical specialties.
Students gathered in the School of Medicine’s gallery with family and friends to celebrate the annual event. Each year, the National Resident Matching Program conducts a residency match designed to optimize the choices of medical students and program directors. Students rank their choices in order of preference, and program directors rank students. The data is put into a computer, and the best match for both parties is made. In the third week of March, results of the matches are announced.
A record number of MU students, 39 percent, will stay on campus to complete residencies. In all, nearly half this year’s class will stay in Missouri to complete residencies. Of these, five students will participate in residency programs in St. Louis and four will go to Kansas City.
“As the state’s flagship university, we’ve always recognized our obligation to provide outstanding physicians for Missouri,” said Rachel Brown, MD, associate dean for student programs. “I think having a record number of students stay here at MU confirms that we have strong graduate medical education programs. Graduates who are staying for their residencies are all very desirable for other programs across the country. This means that in Missouri great care is provided at MU.”
Fifty-two percent of the 2009 class chose to enter training in primary care. Primary care fields include internal medicine, family practice and pediatrics.
“I think the family medicine program at MU is amazing, and I’ve been interested in it the entire time I’ve been in medical school,” said Karli Urban, who is an integrated family medicine resident at MU. “After my residency, I would like to do a geriatric fellowship at MU as well.”
MU’s Integrated Residency Program also helps students stay and complete their residency locally. In the third year of medical school, students who are interested are placed in residency positions at the university, and that match is confirmed on Match Day. This year, 17 students are taking part in Match Day as integrated residents at MU.
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Jennifer Kunst will become a resident physician in internal medicine. Fifty-two percent of her medical school class chose to pursue residencies in the primary care specialties of internal medicine, family practice and pediatrics.
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