Student gather for a group photo for Match Day 2021.
Baylor celebrates Match Day 2021
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Fourth-year medical students at Baylor College of Medicine did not let a pandemic stop them from safely celebrating Match Day 2021. Match Day, held today at medical schools across the country, marks the culmination of the annual National Resident Matching Program that pairs fourth-year medical students with residency programs throughout the nation.
At Baylor, 188 students matched through the program, and 44% of them will begin their residencies in the primary care fields of family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, internal medicine/pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology or emergency medicine. Fifty-five students will continue their training in residencies at Baylor College of Medicine, and 83 matched with residency programs in Texas.
“You have been through a hurricane, a winter freeze and a pandemic. You are prepared to handle a crisis, but more importantly you are prepared because of your time at Baylor. You are forever a Baylor graduate and a part of this institution,” said Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine.
In past years, extended family and friends were invited to attend the celebration; however, with pandemic safety in mind, students had options of how to celebrate this momentous event.
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Match Day 2021 highlights
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An event that followed public health guidelines was held at Baylor for students and College leadership only. A brief program was livestreamed, after which students had the option to open their envelopes that held their residency match or leave campus and receive an email announcing their match so they could open with family and friends. Many students chose to watch the program at home with loved ones and wait to receive their email later that morning.
Regardless of specialty, Klotman reminded students that, “when you open your envelopes or emails, know that each of you are matching where you are needed. It is not so much where you match, but what you do when you are there. This is just the beginning of your careers.”
Dr. Jennifer Christner, dean of the School of Medicine, acknowledged the important affiliated institutions where Baylor medical students train during medical school.
“You are all essential! A year ago [when the pandemic began] you all got the call to find out who would be in clinic, who was available. You took that call and now you are going out there to continue your work,” Christner told the matching students.
Dr. Alicia Monroe, provost at Baylor, reminded students that today was also a call to action.
“Baylor is the foundation to empower you to make a difference in society, your community and in your patients’ lives. You must be willing to speak the truth and advocate for equity.”
Dr. Joseph Kass, associate dean of student affairs, also addressed students at the Match Day program, and Yasmin Khalfe, president of the Class of 2021, spoke on behalf of her peers.
Reflecting on the past year and moving forward she said, “A year ago we didn’t know what Match Day would look like, but we are flexible, and we learn to adapt.”
Find a photo album capturing the excitement here.
