On an overcast Friday afternoon, 140 medical students at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons celebrated Match Day, discovering where they will begin their residency training this summer. The event at VP&S featured remarks from various faculty members, including Katrina Armstrong, MD, dean of VP&S.
Addressing the unique challenges faced by the class of 2024, Jean-Marie Alves-Bradford, MD, associate dean for student affairs, support, and services, acknowledged their resilience, stating, “Regardless of what the envelopes say—you have made it, and you are prepared. Remember to take care of yourselves and your relationships and know that you’re going to learn a lot in the next stage of your medical education and do well.”
A record-high number of applicants participated in the 2024 National Resident Matching Program, with various students expressing their excitement and gratitude for their matches. Grace Plassche, matched in orthopedic surgery, expressed her joy, saying, “Columbia is my No. 1 and it feels like home. From day one, I’ve learned from the people around me, from my classmates to my professors, and the way they’ve taught us to be not only good doctors but good humans has just been beyond anything I could have imagined.”
Similarly, Bethany Onyirimba, matched in obstetrics & gynecology, highlighted the preparedness gained from her education at VP&S, stating, “This course is doing a great job of getting me comfortable with entering a new environment and turning to resources when I don’t know the answers off the top of my head.”
Reflecting on the supportive environment at VP&S, Adithya Kannan, who matched in neurosurgery, emphasized the role of faculty in preparing students for the challenges ahead, saying, “The professors here make sure you’re ready. It’s going to be challenging, but I’m ready.”
Salila Kurra, MD, associate dean for student career development at VP&S, expressed satisfaction with the successful match outcomes, stating, “The Class of 2024 matched incredibly well. We are excited to have many of them staying with us for the next phase of their journey, and we are thrilled that many others will be wonderful ambassadors of VP&S as they head to other institutions across the city and country.”
As these new residents embark on the next phase of their medical careers, the VP&S community celebrates their achievements and eagerly anticipates the impact they will make in the field of medicine.
