Graduating medical students celebrated Match Day virtually this year due to coronavirus.
Match Day is a rite of passage when fourth-year medical students throughout the U.S. find out where their residency training will take them.
President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, greeted the class of 2020 and their loved ones on Facebook Live and said the students have achieved stellar results.
“It’s hard to convey how deeply we feel this sense of pride in your accomplishments and even though we can’t pat you on back hug you today we are thrilled with your success,” he said.
Typically, medical students stand on stage in front of their classmates, family, friends and faculty members at John T. Floore Country Store in Helotes to open an envelope revealing where they will spend the next few years of their life for residency.
This year, students shared videos and photos of that special moment when they learned where they’re headed by using the hashtag #UTHealthSAMatch on social media.
They congratulated and chatted with their peers during the livestream. Family, friends, colleagues and faculty also chimed in with their well wishes.
Virtual Match Day on Facebook Live received more than 2,000 views, 18 shares and 300 comments.
Amanda Wedelich joined the livestream with her family. Her sisters and mom made the day special by baking a cake, ordering brunch and setting up a balloon game.
They recorded a video of the moment Amanda found out she matched at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, Florida. She said that she popped the correct balloon, with her match, on the very first try.
“This hospital was highly recommended by a mentor due to the strong educational and clinical exposure it offers. Pediatrics is a very rewarding specialty for me because I am able to create close relationships with children and their family members while helping to increase their health and quality of life,” she said.
Robert R. Hromas, M.D., dean of the Long School of Medicine, shared some encouraging words during the livestream and recounted his own Match Day at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston.
“This is a step through a door that opens up the rest of your careers. This is the beginning of your journey,” Hromas said.
According to Dr. Hromas, this year’s overall match rate is 99.5% and is considered to be the best in recent memory. Among residency applicants, 17.2% matched at UT Health San Antonio programs, 20.3% will stay in San Antonio, and 47.4% will remain in Texas.
Students are going all over the country, matching to programs in 35 different states.
Match Day is held by the Long School of Medicine in conjunction with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Watch a recording of the virtual Match Day livestream.
Check out the News 4 San Antonio story about virtual Match Day.