Gimme, Gimme, Gimme a Match after Midnight

March 19, 2024 by Angela Ferrante

Group of people celebrating behind a podium
Alex Jenkins '24 celebrates a match in pediatrics and emergency medicine at University of Maryland Medical Center. (Photo: Andy Duback)

On March 15, in the Davis Center’s Grand Maple Ballroom, the Larner College of Medicine’s Class of 2024, clad in ʼ70s and disco-themed attire, took the next significant step toward becoming fully-fledged physicians. “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme a Match after Midnight” was this year’s Match Day theme, chosen by the class—but the anticipation didn’t linger until the wee hours, instead peaking closer to noon, as the National Resident Matching Program’s (NRMP) 2024 Main Residency Match® unveiled its results to tens of thousands of aspiring physicians across the country, announcing where this year’s new doctors will begin their residencies.

Out of the 117 medical students participating, a noteworthy 46 were matched into primary care residencies, including internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics. These exceptional individuals scored placements in 68 different institutions, across 26 states, with a notable cohort of 13 securing residencies at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

The long-awaited event commenced with its traditional flair, featuring faculty member and alumnus H. James Wallace, M.D., leading the procession with bagpipes as students followed. Excitement filled the room as Larner College of Medicine Dean Richard L. Page, M.D., and Class of 2024 Student Council representative Elise Prehoda delivered their reflections. After the introduction, attendees enjoyed the annual comedic skit by the Office of Medical Education, featuring plenty of disco-themed puns and lyrics.

The Larner College of Medicine’s Class of 2024

The Class of 2024 at UVM embarked on their medical journey amidst the challenging backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the formidable obstacles they faced, the cohort remained undeterred, finding comfort and strength in the bonds of camaraderie forged through adversity. 

“Our first year of medical school was challenging, and at times the protective steps we took to prevent the spread of COVID-19 made us feel isolated. However, the Class of 2024 took everything in stride. I quickly realized I was surrounded by resilient and kind individuals whose priority was lifting each other up in times of hardship,” said Middlebury, Vermont, native Amanda Galenkamp, who secured a prestigious general surgery residency at Brown University in Rhode Island.

Happy young person

Amanda Galenkamp '24 learns that she will be attending Brown University for her residency. (Photo: Andy Duback)

Guests viewing artwork hanging on walls in Larner

Sydney Cardozo '24 matched into general surgery at UNC–Chapel Hill. (Photo: Andy Duback)

Richmond, Virginia, native Sydney Cardozo, agreed with Galenkamp’s perspective on how the pandemic brought the Class of 2024 closer together, drawing parallels to her time on the lacrosse team at Notre Dame during her undergraduate education. “In life, and in medicine, teamwork is essential,” said Cardozo, who will begin her residency in general surgery in North Carolina, at UNC–Chapel Hill, in June. “In fact, it’s also what drew me here, to Larner, where collaboration, strong work ethic, and empathy are integral parts of our learning experience.”

Sam Afshari, from San Antonio, Texas, also emphasized how well the collaborative environment at Larner has prepared him for his diagnostic radiology residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. “Larner empowered me to pursue my specific interests within medicine, impact the medical curriculum through my involvement with the Student Education Committee (SEC), and serve as a mentor and teacher to other students. This community truly values feedback from students and regularly implements meaningful changes that reflect the students’ perspective,” he remarked. “Looking back on the past four years, I am impressed with how deeply the culture is embedded in all levels of the curriculum.”

 

Man behind podium smiling

Sam Afshari '24 matched into a diagnostic radiology residency at Emory University. (Photo: Andy Duback)

Two people arm in arm smiling

Robert Adamian and Kiana Heredia '24 successfully participated in a couples match, and will be beginning their residencies at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in June. (Photo: Andy Duback)

For many in the Class of 2024, Match Day was a culmination of years of hard work—and Larner student Kiana Heredia, from the Hudson Valley area of New York State, was no exception. While she completed her undergraduate education with a dual degree in Spanish and psychology, her path to medicine was still not set until she had the opportunity to work abroad, in Spain, at various fertility and geriatric clinics. There, Heredia realized that medicine and clinical care were her true calling, and she went on to complete a post-baccalaureate degree from Columbia University before moving to Vermont, where she met her partner—fellow Class of 2024 student Robert Adamian.

Heredia and Adamian participated in a couple’s match, which, according to the NRMP, involves linking their rank order lists for residency locations, “usually for purposes of obtaining positions in the same geographic location.” Both matched at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with differing specialties. Adamian matched into an internal medicine residency, while Heredia matched into a triple-board residency, which integrates training in pediatrics, adult and child psychiatry. Heredia, who is the first in her family to work in health care, aims to help fellow BIPOC and non-native English-speaking populations—like those from her own family, who hailed from the Dominican Republic. “I hope to be the type of doctor that helps make my patients feel seen and heard,” said Heredia. “This aspect of medicine—the part that you can’t teach—is what drew me to the medical profession, as I’ve personally come to understand how impactful culturally competent care really is.”

Several Larner Class of 2024 medical students, including those in the military and certain specialties, learned of their residency match locations through early matches outside of the Main Residency Match. Members of UVM’s medical Class of 2024 will receive their medical degrees on Sunday, May 19; most will begin their residencies in mid-June.

View the medical Class of 2024 Residency Match List

Watch the video of the Larner Match Day livestream

Watch video highlights from Match Day 2024

View photos from Match Day 2024