It's a match! Medical students find out where they'll be performing their residencies

Match Day is a life-changing day for medical students. It’s the day when graduating medical students at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWOM) and around the country find out where they will be spending the next three to seven years in residency training.

“Words can’t describe how this moment feels,” wrote HWCOM student Wendy Tamayo on her Instagram page. “I’ve spent the majority of my young adult life studying and striving to become a physician. It is such a special moment that I share with my family and friends."

Tamayo says that Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, where she will train to become a pediatrician, is “a place where I’ve dreamt about working at since I was an undergraduate student,” she said. “I am over the moon.”

She is one of 27 FIU students who will be staying in South Florida for their residencies. This is important because there is a nationwide physician shortage. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States will see a shortage of more than 120,000 physicians by 2032.

Click here for all of the Class of 2020 Match results

Studies show the majority of young doctors decide to practice close to where they perform their residency training. More than half of the HWCOM Class of 2020 will be performing their residencies in Florida. Nearly a quarter will be continuing their studies in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach counties. It is also worth noting that almost half of the graduating class is going into primary care fields, where the shortage is greatest and especially critical in trying times like these.

“Now more than ever, it is clear that the future of humanity critically hinges on the education/professional development of compassionate and competent physicians, experts in both preventing and overcoming illness who are devoted to do whatever is needed to ensure the welfare of each and every patient they encounter.” ~Dr. Robert Sackstein

Match Day morning on March 20, Dr. Robert Sackstein, dean of the medical school, congratulated the students via a video emailed to the class.

“We are celebrating with you,” he said. “The distance will never separate us. We are connected in deeper ways that one could ever imagine.”

Associate Dean for Student Affairs Adrian Jones also appeared in the video and urged the students to stay connected.

“We’ll be excited to hear about all the wonderful things that you’ll accomplish,” he said. “Always remember FIU and the journey  you had here at the college of medicine. Go panthers!”

Congratulations to the HWCOM Class of 2020!