Academics

College of Medicine students realize their residency destinations on Match Day

HERSHEY, Pa. — On March 15, fourth-year Penn State College of Medicine students learned where they’ll be heading for their residencies during Match Day — an annual tradition for medical students across the country.

At the College of Medicine event, which took place at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, students counted down together until the clock struck noon, when they simultaneously ripped open their envelopes and learned their futures. The room erupted into cheers and celebration.

“It’s very exciting, to start learning to become the surgeon I want to be,” said Emma Dahmus, of Hershey, who matched as a couple with her fiancé, Alexander Mayers. They’re headed for residencies at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where Dahmus will be practicing plastic surgery. “I’ve wanted to be a doctor my whole life, and to finally be able to actually do that — it’s great.”

For students, the process of matching with residency programs started long ago. At the beginning of their final year of study, students begin to visit and evaluate programs — while programs evaluate them. At Match Day, students discover if they matched with the residency programs of their choice.

Fifty-seven of this year’s College of Medicine graduates are staying in Pennsylvania, with 21 of those students accepting residencies at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The rest of the graduates will be joining programs across the country. Thirty percent of graduates will be doing their residencies in primary care. Of the 142 graduates, six will be trained at military medical centers.

Last Updated May 7, 2019

Contact