National Match Day event matches medical students with residency programs

By Leila Ugincius

Olivia Villamagna had a lot riding on the plain white envelope handed to her on National Match Day — the day when thousands of medical students learn which residency programs they will attend. It contained the name of the hospital where her father, Drew, would be assigned for the next few years. Eight-year-old Olivia had her fingers crossed that Drew would match with his first choice: the University of Wisconsin.

“I want Wisconsin because I get my own bedroom,” Olivia explained hopefully.

The Villamagnas — along with about 170 other medical students and their families — learned their destinations shortly after noon on Thursday, March 16, as Dr. Isaac Wood, associate dean of student activities, began randomly — albeit quickly — handing out envelopes. Traditionally the envelopes are handed out at medical schools across the country at exactly noon on the third Thursday of March every year. It took about 20 minutes for Wood to go through the 172 envelopes.

There was a lot of excitement mixed with anxiety before the envelopes were handed out, observed Dr. Jerome Strauss, dean of the VCU School of Medicine.

“They’re trying to sort out how their life is going to change forever from this day,” he said. “They’re leaving their home. Presumably for most of them, they’re moving on to a different environment. That’s a little scary. I’m glad I only had to go through it once.”

The process begins in December and January when students visit different hospitals all over the country to decide where they would like to perform their residencies. By the end of February, the students have ranked their top choices, while at the same time, the hospitals have ranked their top candidates.

The data is sent to the National Resident Matching Program in Washington, D.C., which was established in 1952 to match medical students with residencies. A computer algorithm is used to establish the matches, and sealed envelopes are sent to each medical school with the results. One by one, each student receives an envelope with the name of the institution where they will spend the next several years of their lives.

“I think I’m as nervous if not more nervous than they are,” said Wood.

Drew Davis said he wasn’t nervous until that morning.

“My nerves are literally on the edge of a million-foot cliff,” the general surgery student said, glancing at his watch. “But that’ll be over in about 18 minutes.” Davis had interviewed at 10 hospitals, but only ranked his top five choices. “I’m happy with all my choices. No matter where I end up, it’s going to be a good move for me.”

A few minutes later, Davis’ nerves were allayed as he learned that he was matched with his top pick — Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.

Ashley Hall, president of the MCV Campus Student Government Association, had even more riding on the match results than most. She and her fiancé, a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, signed up for a couples match, ensuring they’d be assigned to the same hospital. While Hall was here, her fiancé attended the event in Charlottesville. But their envelopes contained matching assignments — Johns Hopkins — their first choice.

VCU had its best match ever, Strauss said, having been a top pick for both local and national medical students. In fact, the school’s 158 available positions were matched fully this year. Ninety-four percent of VCU’s class matched, slightly higher than the national average of 93.7 percent. Nineteen percent of VCU's class will stay at VCU, including Angie Strickland, who by luck of the draw had the last envelope in the box. Still, it was worth the wait.

“It’s such a joyous day,” she said.

No one agreed more than Olivia Villamagna and her 4-year-old sister, Elena, who each are getting their own bedrooms in Wisconsin.