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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.”
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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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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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