Cornell University: Students celebrate Match Day at Weill Cornell Medicine

Yuna Oh has called Weill Cornell Medicine home for the past five years, discovering a passion for dermatology through her medical studies and finding inspiration from her professors. On March 18, the 28-year-old graduating student was thrilled to discover that her journey with the institution will extend another four years, now as a dermatology resident at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

“I’ve always considered the Weill Cornell Medicine dermatology team as my family,” she said. “I’m so excited to be here for another four years.”

Oh and her fellow classmates in the Weill Cornell Medical College Class of 2022 learned on national Match Day where they will be doing their internship and residency training – setting the stage for the next several years of their medical careers and lives.

This year’s match results were revealed simultaneously at noon to medical students nationwide. More than 47,000 graduating allopathic, international and osteopathic medical students from across the country (and Americans studying abroad) competed for some 39,000 residency positions – the most ever offered in Match history, according to the National Resident Matching Program.

For the first time since 2019, students in Weill Cornell Medicine’s Class of 2022 were able to gather in person for Match Day in an outdoor ceremony on the Starr Foundation-Maurice R. Greenberg Conference Center Terrace of the Belfer Research Building. Graduating medical students celebrated their achievements with classmates, family and friends both in person and online through social media and video chat.

“I haven’t seen many of my classmates in two years,” said fourth-year medical student Tobi Aladesuru, 27, of Maryland, who landed his top-choice residency in urology at NYU Langone Health. “It’s really good to see them and join them in our excitement.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic redefined their medical school experience, the students in the Class of 2022 remained resilient, their achievements reflective of their profound commitment to medicine.

“All of you are going to terrific programs that will make you the best doctor you can be, and then the sky is the limit,” said Dr. Augustine M.K. Choi, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine. “Whether you want to be the best doctor, scientist, innovator, senator or president, whatever you choose, I hope Weill Cornell has given you the foundation for not only the book-smarts, but the emotional intelligence you need to really have an impact on society.”

All of the 116 graduating students who entered the match this year secured postgraduate residency positions, and 87% matched to top 50 medical institutions as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. Forty students matched to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. And 38 students will pursue primary care residencies in internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology.

“Match Day is a monumental event in your medical school careers,” said Dr. Yoon Kang, senior associate dean for medical education. “I hope you embrace this special moment. It is a day to reflect and thank your loved ones, your classmates and so many others, who care so much about you and your success, for their support before and during medical school.”

“Over the next few years, you will each be developing specialist skills with the help of exceptional teachers and mentors – some of them Weill Cornell Medicine graduates,” said Dr. Joseph Habboushe, president of the Weill Cornell Medical College Alumni Association. “And you will soon be joining our extraordinary network of alumni who are distinguished physicians and physician-scientists.”

For Nivita Sharma, the youngest member of the Class of 2022 at 25, Match Day is the culmination of four years of hard work and dedication. She matched at Duke University Medical Center for internal medicine, along with her partner, Saurabh, a student at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, who she immediately video-called to share the good news.

“Before medical school even started, I remember thinking – I’m gonna match one day,” she said. “The fact that it’s finally here, and the fact that Weill Cornell could get me to my dream program, I feel relief, enthusiasm and excitement for the future.”