Fourth-year students at the UConn School of Medicine celebrated a successful Match Day on March 21 with 98 percent of them securing residencies through the National Residency Match Program.

“This is the most enjoyable day on the academic calendar,” said Dr. David Henderson, associate dean of medical student affairs, as the students waited anxiously to open the envelopes that would reveal their match. “It’s just fun.”

Each year at exactly 12:05 p.m., medical school graduates from across the country learn where they’ll be spending the next several years of their medical training.

Dr. Frank Torti, dean of the medical school and executive vice president for health affairs at UConn Health, told the students, “This is an exciting time.  This is just another step in a long but exciting journey. You are all going to do very well.”

Henderson said he was extremely pleased with this year’s results, explaining that UConn students matched into extremely competitive programs at some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the country.

“I’m just really proud of each and every one of you. Welcome to your future and congratulations,” said Dr. Suzanne Rose, senior associate dean for education.

As in years past, a large percentage of UConn students, 46 percent, matched in a primary care residency program, which includes internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics.

Emergency medicine and psychiatry were the top programs for the remaining 54 percent of students. Obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedic surgery and general surgery were the next top placements.

“Success has two components. One is privilege and the other is responsibility,” noted Henderson. “You are embarking on what is the beginning of your professional training. We provided the education and now you’re about to get very practical training.”

The majority of the class, 71 of the 87 students, will stay in New England and the Northeast.  Thirty-four of those will remain in Connecticut.

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