Match Day: The wait is over for UB med students

Medical students in the Class of 2019 at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB last week learned where they will train in residency at Match Day, a rite of passage for prospective physicians.

The event, which took place March 15 at the Statler City Golden Ballroom in downtown Buffalo, was the culmination of a process that began months earlier when students interviewed at residency programs in their chosen specialties. 

From there, applicants and hospitals submitted ranked lists of their respective favorites to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), which uses a computerized algorithm to match future doctors to residency programs.

On Match Day, each student received a sealed letter from the NRMP. Classmates opened their envelopes simultaneously, revealing where they will pursue their medical residencies.

“It’s a four-year journey to get here,” said David A. Milling, senior associate dean for student and academic affairs. “As simple as it sounds, these students are so different than when they came into medical school. It’s a day of pride to see them go through the process and move on to their medical residency.”

The Golden Ballroom Statler City was abuzz all morning. It was a loud, festive atmosphere.

After all the students were handed their envelopes, it got very quiet before Milling led a countdown from 10.

Once the students opened their envelopes, all the emotions flooded out.

There were tears of joy, hugs, calls to relatives, cellphone photos with family and fellow students, and an overall sense of relief and accomplishment.

“It’s pretty emotional. I’m not really a sappy guy, but I almost teared up. My heart was pounding,” said Samuel Jo, who matched into an internal medicine residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Connor Arquette had similar feelings.

“The past week’s been a little nerve-wracking. Fortunately I had some rotations to distract me,” said Arquette, who served as president of Polity during his second year.

Arquette matched to a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at Stanford University.

“I’m very, very excited. Overjoyed,” he said.

Kailyn Vera Rigby feels like her life’s been on hold for a while.

“It’s hard making future plans until you’re holding this letter in your hand,” Rigby said. “Now I feel like I can move forward. I’ve been in limbo until now. I'm excited to find a place to live.”

Rigby matched to a family medicine residency at the University of Rochester/Highland Hospital of Rochester.

Rachel Lee La Rosa echoed Rigby’s sentiments.

“Everyone keeps asking ‘where are you going, what’s next?’”

Now she has an answer: La Rosa matched to a neurology residency at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

“It’s surreal. It’s going to sink in later,” she said.

Kevin Hannon matched to his first choice — an internal medicine residency at the University of Rochester — which just happens to be located in his hometown.

“I’m from Rochester. I’m excited to go home,” Hannon said.

He is also relieved. “It was a very stressful process. It’s been nerve-wracking and exciting,” he said.

Joseph Iluore also matched to his first choice — an emergency medicine residency at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas — but it’s far away from his hometown.

“I’m very happy. I rotated there and l completely loved it. It’s far from home — being from New York City — but that’s totally fine,” Illuore said.

More than a quarter of the class — 42 students — has chosen to stay at UB for advanced training. One of those students is Owen Mayer, who matched to an anesthesiology residency and was joined at Match Day by his wife, Jenny, and their children, Hudson, 7, Theo, 5, and Charlotte, 3.

“I feel good. We don’t have to pack up and move,” he said.