“March 13-17 is Match Week for the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) 2017 Main Residency Match®. During Match Week, thousands of medical school students and graduates in the United States and around the world will learn the specialty and location of the residency programs where they will train for the next three to seven years. The NRMP expects the 2017 Main Residency Match to be the largest in history, exceeding the more than 42,000 applicants who registered for the 2016 Match and the more than 4,800 residency programs at institutions across the country that offered more than 30,000 positions last year. (Source: NRMP March 8 press release).
We know the future of the specialty is bright!
Here are just a few quotes from students on their decision of a family medicine career and what they are most looking forward to in residency.
“After growing up with years of support and medical management from my own family doctor, I personally experienced the life-changing impact a family physician could have on an individual. This was the experience that put the field of family medicine on the radar for me and that feeling never wavered throughout medical school. I’m most looking forward to working with the underserved populations in my community and starting the long term relationships with my own patients.” – Dwayne Whitfield, M4, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH.
“I participated in the OAFP Foundation’s Leroy A. Rodgers, MD, Preceptorship Program with Stephen Ulrich, MD, during the summer after my first year of medical school. I had a hunch that I’d like family medicine, but this rotation really won me over. I loved to sit down with patients and answer questions about diet and exercise, educate them about preventive screenings like colonoscopies and mammograms, and consider how to navigate the intricacies of prescribing medicines and ordering tests. As I progressed through my third year, I realized that there were pieces of most specialties that I loved. I loved the fast pace adrenaline rush in the trauma bay, and the complexities of ICU patients. I loved women’s health and taking care of kids, and always enjoyed procedures. Though difficult, I even appreciated compassionately counseling families through end of life care. Family medicine is the only specialty that allows so much diversity in age and acuity. I also have to say, family doctors love their job! I want to love my job!” – Jessica Tucker, M4, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH, student director on the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians board.
“I’m definitely going into family medicine! I felt it was the best fit to allow me options to serve the community and be a part of my patients’ lives as a partner in their health. I’m really looking forward to having patients at all stages of life and using innovative methods to improve their health outcomes. I am also looking forward to being able to utilize my public health background to assist in making policies that make underserved communities healthier.” – Christen Johnson, M4, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH.
The OAFP congratulates all medical students that have matched into family medicine. We are excited to welcome new family medicine residents to Ohio!