Future Physicians Celebrate Match Day

TUCSON, Ariz. – On Friday, March 15, 97 medical students at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson learned where they will first practice as doctors and complete the next phase of their medical training.

Forty percent of the class — or 39 doctors — will remain in Arizona. Of the 39 staying in Arizona, 27 will remain in Tucson to practice and train at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson, serving the community where they first started on the path to becoming medical doctors.

The Class of 2019 applied to residency programs throughout the country. Matches included prestigious institutions such as Johns Hopkins Hospital; Stanford University; Vanderbilt University; the University of California, San Francisco; Northwestern University; the University of Colorado; the University of Washington; the University of Michigan and Dartmouth College.

“It’s always exciting to learn where our students will go to begin practicing medicine,” said Kevin Moynahan, MD, deputy dean for education at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson. “One of my favorite parts of Match Day is learning which students will be staying here in Tucson with us at one of our UA-Banner residency programs. It’s wonderful to be able to have our medical school graduates stay and complete their training here in our very own health-care system.”

Interim Dean Irving Kron, MD, was proud to see so many physicians staying in the state to train, as well as so many women — seven — pursuing a surgical specialty, a field where men significantly outnumber women.

“I truly believe that the UA College of Medicine – Tucson is helping address the physician shortage in this state,” Dr. Kron said. “I am so excited for our students and their great opportunities. Their hard work and the excellent education they have received has paid off.”

According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), 75 percent of Arizona medical school graduates who pursue a residency in Arizona will stay in the state to practice. With 39 UA College of Medicine – Tucson students remaining in Arizona to train, that’s good news for a state critically short of physicians.

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

Thirty-nine graduates will complete their residencies in Arizona.

• 27 in Tucson (8 primary care)
• 9 in Phoenix
• 3 in Scottsdale (1 primary care)

Twenty-seven students matched with UA College of Medicine – Tucson residency programs.

• 26 will train at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson through the UA College of Medicine – Tucson Graduate Medical Education Program.
• 1 will train at Banner – University Medical Center South through the UA College of Medicine – Tucson South Campus.

Thirty-eight medical students matched into residencies in primary care fields.

• 18 in internal medicine
• 9 in family medicine
• 8 in pediatrics
• 2 in obstetrics and gynecology
• 1 in emergency medicine-pediatrics (a five-year combined emergency medicine and pediatrics residency)

About the UA 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 Residency Programs at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson
The UA College of Medicine – Tucson offers a total of 67 residencies and fellowships through two graduate medical education locations: UA College of Medicine – Tucson Graduate Medical Education and UA College of Medicine – Tucson South Campus Programs. All residencies and fellowships are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), which establishes national standards for approval and assessment of graduate medical education programs. The UA programs provide training in environments unique for their diverse patient populations and exceptional faculty-to-resident ratios, and they are crucial in attracting and training doctors who will remain in Arizona.

The UA College of Medicine – Tucson Graduate Medical Education Program oversees ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship programs in all major specialties and subspecialties. More than 730 residents and fellows are trained at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson’s primary teaching hospital, Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, and other major participating institutions in Tucson.

The UA College of Medicine –Tucson South Campus Program has five ACGME-accredited residency programs — emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine and ophthalmology — and one fellowship in medical toxicology. Each program has achieved continued accreditation from the ACGME. Approximately 83 residents are participating in these south campus programs, which focus on providing health care in rural and underserved areas of Arizona to help reduce the Arizona physician shortage and improve access to health care throughout the state.

Forty percent of the UA College of Medicine – Tucson Class of 2019 — 39 doctors — will remain in Arizona for their residency training.