Match Day: A time of hoots, hollers and high fives

March 18, 2019
Our People

Under soft green lights, Isadora Cabral jumped into the arms of a classmate as soon as she opened her Match Day envelope.

“It’s amazing, emotional, so great and exciting,” Cabral said. “I applied to way too many programs, but I got my No. 1.”

Cabral will soon head off to the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, where she will start her residency in Family Medicine. She was among 225 College of Osteopathic Medicine soon-to-be-graduates of the Class of 2019 to learn where they will spend the next three to seven years of their lives as physicians training in a specific field.

It was a day of hoots, hollers and high fives for the Class of 2019. The annual Match Day Ceremony, during which students learn the residency program that they will attend, has become a rite of passage for medical school students.

In the hour leading up to the envelope opening, the excitement grew more intense as Bob Marley music filled the air, cell phone cameras flashed and parents held back tears as their grown children bubbled with anticipation.

“I’m mostly excited and just ready to find out,” said Elisabeth Baquet. “I just want to know and let it all out now.”

Cindy Tiu, who wants to do her residency in physical medicine rehabilitation, said it has been a long, hard road getting to this day.

“I’m so grateful I made it, no matter where I go,” she said, “I’m thankful for my parents who supported me through this.”

Many said that competition for spots was extremely intense this year, leading them to apply to dozens of programs and go on numerous interviews at teaching hospitals across the country.

“There is of course one match I want more than the others,” said Mary Mitchell. “But I don’t want to get my hopes up, just in case.”

Her mother echoed the stress that Mitchell was experiencing.

“I’m just so excited, nervous and proud,” Deb Mitchell said.

The National Resident Matching Program uses a computerized mathematical algorithm to align the preferences of applicants with the preferences of program directors in order to fill training positions.

TCOM Class President David Schulze called 2019 the most brilliant class, noting it was No. 1 in the nation on board scores and the top scoring TCOM class in 50 years.

Dr. Charles Taylor, Executive Vice President and Provost, praised class members and their parents for years of hard work.

“It’s such an important day for students, family and friends,” he said. “It’s a milestone.”

TCOM Dean Dr. Frank Filipetto encouraged students to keep doing the three things he has always encouraged them to do every day.

“Think, laugh and allow your emotions to bring you to tears,” he said.

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