Match Day: 17 specialties, 26 states and a baby

Match Day — after four grueling years of medical school, it’s the day students dream of, and/or have nightmares about, but wouldn’t miss for anything, well, almost anything. Match Day is the annual rite where medical students nationwide learn what residency program they have “matched” into to continue their medical training in their chosen specialty.

Olamide Oshikoya on Match Day before having to rush to the hospital for the birth of his son.

At this year’s ceremony, Olamide Oshikoya was the first Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM) student called to the stage to open the envelope that held his “match”, but Oshikoya had left early because his wife had gone into labor. Jayden Oshikoya was born less than two hours later. His dad matched into an Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

It was a labor of love and tenacity that made this or any other Match Day possible at FIU. This year, the school is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its founding. It was a decade ago that the state legislature voted to allow the creation of South Florida’s first public medical school. Dr. Herbert Wertheim, one of its early supporters and the school’s namesake watched the ceremony in his signature red hat. The Class of 2016 would not disappoint its special guest. (Read all 2016 Match Results).

HWCOM seniors matched into 17 different specialties in 26 different states and the District of Columbia. More than half of the class (58 percent) is pursuing specialties in primary care where there is a critical shortage of physicians nationwide. A dozen students like Gretel Carmenate will continue to care for our local population by choosing to stay in South Florida.

“My family is a big reason, plus I really like this community,” she said. Carmenate matched into her first choice residency program – internal medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Wertheim, who had never attended a Match Day ceremony, was so moved and inspired by the Class of 2016 that, much to everyone’s surprise, he suddenly pledged $100,000 toward a scholarship for new students in honor of the class.

“I had no idea what it was going to be like, but it’s an extraordinary happening,” Wertheim said.