Match Day reveals medical students’ future addresses

At Match Day, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine student Vanessa Buie reacts after learning she’s heading to the University of Chicago for her residency in General Surgery. Her parents, Frederick and Valeska Buie, were on hand for the event. (photo by Anne Rayner) At last Friday’s Match Day, graduating Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) students and their family members and friends packed Langford Auditorium, anxiously waiting for the clock to strike 11 a.m. That was the moment thousands of medical students across the country would learn where they would spend the next several years in their medical residencies. Match Day is the crowning moment of the National Resident Match Program (NRMP), which matches thousands of medical students with residency programs at medical centers and hospitals across the country. Jordan Cohen (Emergency Medicine) and Kate Doherty (ObGyn) learn they’re going to Brown University at Match Day. (photo by Anne Rayner) This year, 117 fourth-year VUSM students are graduating, and 91 were on hand to participate in the annual tradition. Amy Fleming, M.D., VUSM’s new associate dean for Medical Student Affairs, randomly selected envelopes from a basket. Each student came to the stage to a personalized song and a picture montage. Rich Latuska was hoping to match in Pediatrics at his top choice — Vanderbilt University Medical Center. There was a lot riding on where he would land. His partner of three years is a member of the incoming class at VUSM and they wanted to be in the same city. Lilly Zhu is staying at Vanderbilt for her residency in Dermatology. (photo by Anne Rayner) The couple waited nearly two hours before learning his fate. “I was the eighth from last name called,” said an exuberant Latuska. “This has been very stressful. This day is the culmination of everything you have worked for over the past four years. And it all comes down to what is in that one envelope. “It was a weird mix of anxiety and excitement all the while thinking your name would be the next one called. It was great watching everyone, but it just built up my own butterflies.” Latuska was joined on stage by his parents and partner, Nick Kuhl, to unveil that he would indeed be staying at Vanderbilt. Sarah Eckhardt (ObGyn), center, is congratulated by Amy Fleming, M.D., left, and Eckhardt’s mother, Mary Ellen Hoffman, after learning she’s headed to the University of Southern California. (photo by Anne Rayner) The elation was electric throughout Match Day. Family and friends applauded, whistled and cried as students announced their matches. Fleming mirrored the emotions of the audience in Langford Auditorium. “Our students consistently match at the top schools and hospitals in the country. It’s an amazing and proud, proud day. I mean, my face hurts from smiling so much,” Fleming said. The morning started off with a welcome from Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. He also continued a Vanderbilt tradition by putting money in a fishbowl that would go to the last student called as a reward for patience. Students placed $1 into the pot as they received their envelope. Fayrisa Greenwald, who matched in Psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine, was this year’s fishbowl winner. “It was really exciting seeing all of my classmates go up and get such great news,” she said. “It was kind of a pleasure being the last one for that reason.” Jordan Cohen (Emergency Medicine) and Kate Doherty (Obstetrics and Gynecology), the only couple-match present at the event, made sure to place their $2 bill into the bowl as a sign of luck that they would be paired together. Bushra Mushtaq-Adam (Psychiatry) and her husband, Afnan Adam, react after learning she matched at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. (photo by Anne Rayner) They each read the other’s letter. Cohen couldn’t contain his excitement while waiting for his fiancee to read the contents of the envelope she held. The couple is heading to Brown University. “This was amazingly nerve wracking,” said Cohen. “Vanderbilt has done a great job shepherding us through this stressful process. This day was momentous.” With the largest stressor checked off, both say it is time to enjoy the coming months highlighted by graduation, marriage, moving and residency. One of the surprises of the day was the presence of Scott Rodgers, M.D., former associate dean for Medical Student Affairs and now chair of Psychiatry at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, who congratulated the class and wished them well. He also sweetened the fishbowl with a donation. Although not the only student to dance and sing her way to the stage, Kat Weber Montgomery was the only one in bare feet. She had kicked off her heels while enjoying the festivities and when she heard her name called, she sprinted to the stage. Rob Turer (Emergency Medicine) and his girlfriend, Laura Pratt, make their way on stage in style. Turer matched at the University of Michigan. (photo by Anne Rayner) “You hear your name and it sort of takes you by surprise,” Montgomery said. “I was just so excited I left my shoes. I mean, someone hired you to be a physician. That’s huge,” said a beaming Montgomery. Four years ago Vanderbilt was her top choice for medical schools. She matched at Vanderbilt for her residency in Pathology. Match Day was Webcast live to allow family and friends unable to attend the opportunity to watch the proceedings.