Hello everyone!
I’ve been meaning to write a post or something on this blog to update everyone but I just had to say, “I MATCHED!!!”. On March 14, 2022, I received that beautiful email saying that I had matched and would not have to stress about trying to find and interview with another residency program that wanted me. I was humbled and so relieved that I would get to do what I feel God has called me to, family medicine.
In case you are unfamiliar, all of my fourth year of med school has been me trying to find a residency program in family medicine that I would like to spend the next three years at in training. Unlike any other profession, when you graduate medical school, you are still not licensed to practice even though now you can say you are a physician. So you must “match” into a residency program so they can train you. I ended up auditioning at five different residency programs all over the Midwest/South. When you submit your application to the programs, there is no limit on how many you can apply to. I ended up applying to 44 family medicine program and getting 9 interviews. I ranked 10 programs and all the residency programs ranked their top candidates too. In March, the Match algorithm runs and tries to “match” each candidate with their top choice residency programs. There’s really no way of knowing where you will end up until Match Day which was March 18, 2022.
On Match Day, I did a FaceTime call with my family and I opened up that email. After not knowing where to look initially, I read that I had matched at one of my top choices!!! I was so relieved and excited and proud to know that I had matched at a faith based program that would train me for what I really want to do – global health, full-spectrum family medicine. God is so faithful. I have struggled in medical school. I had to repeat my second year of school and then I had to take my first board exam twice. Those are big “red flags” in my application but all I could do was be who God made me to be and trust Him and His timing and purpose for my life. At the beginning of the year 2022, God said that this would be the year of His Promise and Purpose. I was so hoping to match right away and not have to scramble to find a residency spot. God is so good! After all of the blood, sweat and tears, I glorify and honor God with all that He has accomplished. I’m so excited for what comes next!!!
