Future physicians to begin their next chapter at Match Day Ceremony

• What: Class of 2023 Match Day Ceremony
• When: Friday, March 17, 7:30 - 11:30 a.m.
• Where: West side of the Old Main Building on the University of Arizona campus

At this year’s Match Day ceremony, to be held Friday, March 17, on the west side of the Old Main Building on the University of Arizona campus, 110 medical students from the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson will learn where they will complete the next phase of their medical training.

Surrounded by loved ones and in coordination with fourth-year medical students attending similar events across the country, students in their final semester of medical school will simultaneously tear open envelopes at 9 a.m. The contents will reveal where they will begin their residency, a three-to-seven-year stage of graduate medical education where new doctors practice medicine in their chosen specialty under the supervision of a senior medical clinician. Match Day represents a culmination of four years of intense study, volunteering, research, clerkships, sub-internships and clinical rotations for UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson students.

During their last year of medical school, students interview for residency slots at institutions where they hope to receive further training. Students later rank their residency location preferences, while institutions rank the students they would like to have as trainees. The match process is completed by the National Residency Matching Program, and medical students are obligated to serve where they matched.

“Match Day is the most anticipated event for medical students and for COM-T administration and faculty as we all find out where our students will be pursuing their graduate medical education during the next phase in their journey to become an independently practicing physician,” said Kevin Moynahan, MD, vice dean for education at the College of Medicine – Tucson. “This day is the cumulation of four or more years of hard work, resiliency and professional identity formation. The college is proud to send our well-trained graduates to prestigious graduate medical education programs around the country and to welcome a significant number into our own residency programs.”

Registration and breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., with programming starting at 8:15 a.m. At 9 a.m., students will individually gather with their supporters to open their Match Day envelopes, and at 9:30 a.m., they will announce their matches publicly. Closing remarks begin at 11 a.m.

Parking is available ($8 per car) at the Tyndall Garage, located on Tyndall Avenue south of University Boulevard. There is an accessible drop-off area for people with disabilities on University Boulevard at the flagpole west of Old Main.

Those wishing to attend the event virtually can view the livestream at satyrlivestream.com/stream/match-day-2023/. For more information and to RSVP, visit the College of Medicine – Tucson Match Day website.

College of Medicine – Tucson medical students participating in Match Day include:

Ike Royal Chinyere, PhD, received his bachelor’s degree from the College of Medicine – Tucson before enrolling as a dual MD/PhD student. As a doctoral student, Dr. Chinyere performed preclinical studies of an engineered biomaterial that could be implanted onto the heart’s surface to help restore its electrical stability after a heart attack. The experience solidified his interest in helping patients through entrepreneurship.

“Entrepreneurship fits into how I approach my goals as a physician-scientist in training. Utilizing both degrees is my main goal,” he said. “I believe it is my calling to simultaneously employ all of these skillsets to make a difference in patients’ lives.”

Dr. Chinyere has applied for a select number of residency programs that will further develop him as a physician-scientist, and will pursue a career in cardiac electrophysiology, focusing on the electrical properties of the heart. He is looking forward to celebrating Match Day with his wife and young son.

“I enjoyed my time here and met a lot of amazing people, and there are a lot of good memories,” he said. “I feel very excited that medical school is coming to an end, and very motivated for the next chapter.”

Gabrielle Milillo has applied to residency programs in pediatrics, fulfilling a lifelong dream to be a pediatrician.

“I really idolized my pediatrician. I valued the partnership she made with my family and her commitment to helping me grow as a person and as a patient at the same time,” she said. “What I love about pediatrics is the ability to work with patients at the most transformative moments of their life, being able to contribute to their development in a positive way.”

Milillo is participating in the “couples match” to receive training in the same region as her partner, who is also completing his medical degree.

“I met my partner at the beginning of medical school,” she said. “To end it all with the opening of the envelope and to continue our life together is incredible. I don’t know what city we’ll end up in, but I’m excited to explore with him.”

The couple will celebrate Match Day with their families.

“Opening up that envelope at the same time, knowing that we’re all bonded in that moment, is really special,” she said.

Kaloni Peleketi Philipp received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Medicine – Tucson and was accepted to medical school through Pre-Medical Admissions Pathway, an intensive medical school preparation program for promising students who have faced considerable obstacles.

Initially interested in obstetrics and gynecology, Philipp pivoted to family medicine.

“I loved OB, but I wanted to know about the other parts of their life. It’s important to me to build long-term relationships,” she said.

With those deeper connections, her goal is to improve care for underserved people: “I want to explore ways to get them into doctors’ offices to prevent a lot of the chronic conditions and complications we’re seeing in that population.”

As a medical student, Philipp developed leadership skills as co-chair of the Student Diversity Committee and the Asylum Clinic. She co-founded Polynesians in Medicine, a nationwide organization that supports Pacific Islander pre-med students as they work through the pipeline toward medical careers.

She will celebrate Match Day with her husband, along with family members from the Phoenix area.

“It’s the culmination of years and years of work,” she said. “I’m excited to see where I end up.”