The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine recently held its Match Day event, where graduating students eagerly learned which specialties and hospitals they had matched to for their residency training. The event was filled with excitement and celebration as the Class of 2024 awaited their results.
Associate deans Nicole Deiorio, M.D., and Chris Woleben, M.D., shared some impressive statistics from this year's match, including a 99% overall placement rate for the class. Additionally, 59 students will stay in Virginia for their residencies, with 37 of them remaining at VCU.
Dean of the School of Medicine, Arturo Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., commended the students for their achievements and encouraged them to reflect on their support systems throughout medical school. Saavedra emphasized the importance of remembering faculty and family during the challenging times ahead in residency.
As the clock struck noon, students eagerly opened their envelopes to reveal their matches. Among them was Madison Sokol, who matched into psychiatry at VCU. Reflecting on her medical school journey, Sokol expressed her joy at staying at VCU and continuing to build on the relationships she has established.
Another student, Riley Payne, who matched into neurology, shared how the unique experience of starting medical school during the pandemic brought her class closer together. Payne highlighted the importance of finding ways to enjoy the medical school experience despite the challenges they faced.
Jean Wu, who matched into VCU's Psychiatry Residency Program, described her class as the "guinea pig class" due to various curriculum changes and challenges they overcame. Wu emphasized the importance of wellness in medical school and shared her excitement about continuing her training at VCU.
Kevin Lam, who will be pursuing psychiatry at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, shared his personal motivation for choosing psychiatry after witnessing his brother's struggles with mental health. Lam expressed his desire to destigmatize mental health and provide support to patients in need.
Carolyn May, who matched into ophthalmology at VCU, shared her unwavering passion for the specialty since her high school days. May expressed her gratitude for the outstanding clinical training she received at VCU and her excitement to continue her residency in Richmond.
Faizaan Khan, who matched into VCU's Anesthesiology Residency Program, shared his journey as part of the Competency-Based Graduation Program and his excitement to graduate a year earlier. Khan emphasized the importance of appreciating one's support system on the path to becoming a doctor.
The Match Day event at VCU was a momentous occasion for the Class of 2024, marking the beginning of their journeys as resident physicians. The students' diverse paths and personal stories reflect their dedication to serving their communities and making a difference in the field of medicine.
