Medical students in the Penn State College of Medicine and across the country will participate in "Match Day" at noon Thursday, March 18.
This is a national tradition in which soon-to-be-graduated medical students throughout the United States simultaneously open letters to learn what hospital or other health-care provider has accepted them into a residency program.
Most medical students do not know for sure where they will spend their next few years as residents, whether they will be in training at Hershey Medical Center or another hospital in the United States, until they open their letters at noon on Match Day. The College of Medicine students will gather in the hospital auditorium of Hershey Medical Center to participate in the annual ceremonies.
"Match Day is an anticipated and time-honored occasion for students and faculty in Hershey and across the nation," said Richard Simons, interim vice dean for educational affairs. "This day is the cornerstone of medical students' lives in which they can now begin to envision their next endeavor as residents."
This year, 107 students participated in the national match to find placement as health-care professionals after graduation. Sixteen additional students learned previously they had been matched in military or other special programs.
Photos from the event will be posted on Penn State Live at http://live.psu.edu as soon as possible after the conclusion of Thursday's mid-day event.