Yesterday was Match Day. At noon EST, just over 17,000 4th year medical students simultaneously found out where they will go for their residency training this July.
Medical training is punctuated by ceremonies like convocation, the White Coat ceremony, the donor ceremony (to acknowledge the “silent professors” in anatomy) and graduation. But of all the ceremonies, the one that is pure joy is Match Day.
I truly believe that any physician disillusioned with their work, or even suffering from burnout should be “prescribed” attending a White Coat ceremony, donor ceremony and/or Match Day. I’m serious! These moments of ceremony allow us to remember the reasons we choose the profession of medicine and the joy of practice. If you are part of a medical school faculty, make a point to attend one or all of these ceremonies next year. I promise, it won’t feel like an obligation, it will feel like a gift. If you are not in a medical school, contact the Dean of Student Affairs at your alma mater or a school close to you – we’ll help make it happen.
During the five long days of waiting between Monday, when they find out that they matched and Friday, when they open the envelope to find out where they are actually going, many fourth year students often wish this process would be replaced with an email notification…. until they experience the celebration of Match Day…
Congratulations to all medical students graduating this year – and to your families, friends, and professors!
Photos and video from Baylor College of Medicine