Aspiring Physicians Celebrate Match Day, Residency Results

March 20, 2020

One-third of the UA College of Medicine – Tucson Class of 2020 will remain in Arizona to practice medicine and pursue their residency training. Nearly 50 percent of the class will pursue primary care — a physician specialty that is critically low in Arizo

TUCSON, Ariz. – On Friday, March 20, 115 medical students at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson (COM-T) learned where they will first practice the science and art of medicine as they begin the next phase of their professional journey.

“We are extremely proud of our Class of 2020,” said Michael Abecassis, MD, MBA, dean of the College of Medicine – Tucson. “Their collective achievements are the result of their hard work and embody the COM-T stated mission to advance health and wellness through education, research and patient care.”

Half of all graduating UArizona College of Medicine students will pursue medical careers in primary care with a third staying in Arizona for their residency training as new physicians.

Half of all graduating UArizona College of Medicine students will pursue medical careers in primary care with a third staying in Arizona for their residency training as new physicians.

Class of 2020 students applied to residency programs locally, regionally and nationally. They matched at prestigious institutions including but not limited to the Harvard Massachusetts General Hospital, Mayo Clinic, UT Southwestern, Stanford University, Vanderbilt University, the University of California at San Francisco, the University of Washington, and the University of Chicago.

Graduates will pursue a variety of specialties including plastic surgery, dermatology, anesthesiology, neurosurgery and sports medicine. Nearly 50 percent of the class will go into primary care—helping address the dire need for more primary care physicians throughout the state and nation.

Out of an abundance of caution for the welfare of students and employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s traditional, large-scale Match Day celebration was canceled. Medical students held smaller, private celebrations with their friends and loved ones to celebrate their Match results.

“This was not an easy decision to make; we fully understand that our medical students have been looking forward to Match Day for almost four years now,” said Kevin Moynahan, MD, deputy dean for education. “Match Day ceremonies around the country are being modified or canceled in light the COVID-19 outbreak. While this is a change from our usual Match Day celebrations, it does not in any way diminish our students’ accomplishments.”

The following are some highlights from this year’s match results:

Thirty-eight graduates will complete their residencies in Arizona.

  • 28 in Tucson (15 primary care)
  • 7 in Phoenix (all primary care)
  • 2 in Scottsdale
  • 1 in Kingman (1 primary care)

Twenty-eight graduates matched with UA College of Medicine – Tucson residency programs.

  • 23 will train in Banner — University Medical Center Tucson through the UA College of Medicine — Tucson Graduate Medical Education Program
  • 5 will train at Banner — University Medical Center South through the UA College of Medicine — Tucson South Campus

Fifty-six graduates matched into residencies in primary care fields (defined as family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology)

  • 25 in internal medicine
  • 15 in family practice
  • 12 in pediatrics
  • 2 in obstetrics and gynecology
  • 1 in emergency medicine-pediatrics (a five-year combined emergency medicine and pediatrics residency)
  • 1 in internal medicine-pediatrics (a four-year combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency)

###

About the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson is shaping the future of medicine through state-of-the-art medical education programs, groundbreaking research and advancements in patient care in Arizona and beyond. Founded in 1967, the college boasts more than 50 years of innovation, ranking among the top medical schools in the nation for research and primary care. Through the university's partnership with Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the country, the college is leading the way in academic medicine. For more information, visit medicine.arizona.edu (Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn).

About the University of Arizona Health Sciences
The University of Arizona Health Sciences is the statewide leader in biomedical research and health professions training. UArizona Health Sciences includes the Colleges of Medicine (Tucson and Phoenix), Nursing, Pharmacy, and the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, with main campus locations in Tucson and the Phoenix Biomedical Campus in downtown Phoenix. From these vantage points, Health Sciences reaches across the state of Arizona, the greater Southwest and around the world to provide next-generation education, research and outreach. A major economic engine, Health Sciences employs nearly 5,000 people, has approximately 4,000 students and 900 faculty members, and garners $200 million in research grants and contracts annually. For more information: uahs.arizona.edu (Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram).