Match Day 2019

The event was conducted March 15 at the Statler City Golden Ballroom in downtown Buffalo, the culmination of a process that began months earlier, when students interviewed at residency programs in their chosen specialties. 

From there, applicants and hospitals submitted ranked lists of their respective favorites to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), which uses a computerized algorithm to match future doctors to residency programs.

On Match Day, each student received a sealed letter from the NRMP. Classmates opened their envelopes simultaneously, revealing where they will pursue their medical residencies.

“It’s a four-year journey to get here,” said David A. Milling, MD, senior associate dean for student and academic affairs. “As simple as it sounds, these students are so different than when they came into medical school. It’s a day of pride to see them go through the process and move on to their medical residency.”

The Statler City Golden Ballroom was abuzz all morning. It was a loud, festive atmosphere.

After all the students were handed their envelopes, it got very quiet before Milling led a countdown from 10.

Once the students opened their envelopes, all the emotions flooded out.

There were tears of joy, hugs, calls to relatives, cellphone photos with family and fellow students and an overall sense of relief and accomplishment.

“It’s pretty emotional. I’m not really a sappy guy, but I almost teared up. My heart was pounding,” said Samuel Jo, who matched into an internal medicine residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Connor Arquette had similar feelings.

“The past week’s been a little nerve-wracking. Fortunately I had some rotations to distract me,” said Arquette, who served as president of Polity during his second year.

Arquette matched to a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at Stanford University.

“I’m very, very excited. Overjoyed,” Arquette said.

Kailyn Vera Rigby feels like her life’s been on hold for awhile.

“It’s hard making future plans until you’re holding this letter in your hand,” Rigby said. “Now I feel like I can move forward. I’ve been in limbo until now. I'm excited to find a place to live.”

Rigby matched to a family medicine residency at the University of Rochester/Highland Hospital of Rochester.

Rachel Lee La Rosa has had similar feelings.

“Everyone keeps asking ‘where are you going, what’s next?’”

Now she has an answer. La Rosa matched to a neurology residency at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

“It’s surreal. It’s going to sink in later,” La Rosa said.

Kevin Hannon matched to his first choice — an internal medicine residency at the University of Rochester — which just happens to be located in his hometown.

“I’m from Rochester. I’m excited to go home,” Hannon said.

He is also relieved.

“It was a very stressful process. It’s been nerve-wracking and exciting,” Hannon said.

Joseph Iluore also matched to his first choice — an emergency medicine residency at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas — but it’s far away from his hometown.

“I’m very happy. I rotated there and l completely loved it. It’s far from home — being from New York City — but that’s totally fine,” Illuore said.

More than one-fourth of the class — 42 students — have chosen to stay at UB for advanced training.

One of those students who is staying at UB is Owen Mayer, who matched to an anesthesiology residency.

Mayer was in attendance with his wife, Jenny, and their children, Hudson, 7, Theo, 5, and Charlotte, 3.

“I feel good. We don’t have to pack up and move,” Mayer said.

All 153 fourth-year medical students are listed below with their future medical specialties and the locations of their residency matches.