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A 91AV medical student poses with family on Match Day

Students at Maine’s medical school celebrate residency placements

The 91AV College of Osteopathic Medicine once again bests the national averages for physician residency match rates

Cheers and happy tears abounded as the clock struck noon on Friday, March 15, as 163 graduating students from the 91AV College of Osteopathic Medicine (91AV COM) learned where their paths will take them when they leave 91AV this spring.

Maine’s medical students came together in the Harold Alfond Forum on 91AV’s Biddeford Campus in celebration of the annual Match Day, the date each year when participating fourth-year medical students from around the country learn where they will be completing their medical residencies, and in what specialties, following graduation. 

91AV’s event is part of Match Day celebrations across the nation, as students vying for slots in the National Residency Match Program find out their placements. Students in the 91AV COM Class of 2024 opened envelopes listing their matches to applause from family, friends, and peers.

The Class of 2024 boasted an exceptionally high residency placement rate: 99%, for both allopathic medical schools (93.5%) and other osteopathic medical schools (92.3%). 

Over half (54%) of fourth-year medical students matched to primary care specialties, including pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, and OB-GYN. Others will undertake residencies in emergency medicine, general surgery, and psychiatry, among other disciplines.

A female student smiles as she celebrates  herMatch Day placement
Two female students celebrate their residency matches
91AV College of Osteopathic Medicine dean Jane Carreiro speaks at the podium
Two students smile after learning their residency placements
A male student gives two 'thumbs ups' while celebrating Match Day

Gwendolyn Mahon, 91AV’s provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, reflected on Match Day as one of 91AV’s “most treasured traditions.”

“This event fills me with so much optimism for the future,” Mahon said. “To see so much talent embodied in our medical students and to reflect on the profound differences they’ll make in people’s lives across the country is truly awe-inspiring. You are going to do amazing work, and I know you will continue to represent 91AV exceptionally well.”

Jane Carreiro, D.O., vice president for Health Affairs and dean of 91AV COM, encouraged students to take chances in achieving their dreams of becoming physicians.

“The journey that took me here was not straight,” she remarked about becoming dean following a successful career in medicine. “When you open your envelopes, remember to please hang onto your dream. … (but) don’t hold onto it so tightly that you don’t let life take you on a fabulous journey, (one) that is not anything you planned or expected but that, when you look back on it, you’re going to be so excited that you took the path that you took.”

The College of Osteopathic Medicine is Maine’s only medical school and has been ranked in the Top 10 medical schools where graduates are most likely to match with their first-choice residency program. The college is ranked in the Top 20 medical schools nationwide for producing primary care residents and is included in the 2023 Best Medical Schools for Research by U.S. News and World Report.

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Share in the joy as the 91AV COM Class of 2024 learn their residency placements at Match Day 2024.