Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
It’s a long road to become a doctor – four years of college, four years of medical school, and more years of post-graduate training.
But some days, it’s all worthwhile.
One of those days is Match Day – the day where senior medical students learn where they will do their post-graduate training, called residency.
During the last year of medical school, the students travel to various medical program locations, interview and learn about their training options. The programs and students rank each other, and the National Residency Matching Program “matches” them up. In May the new doctors will graduate and then begin their residencies in July.
For the next three to eight years the doctors will learn the ins and outs of their specialties. Some will complete fellowships, which involve even more specialized trainings. Bottom line: consider yourself lucky if your doctor is training a resident or fellow. These professionals have fresh minds and are eager to provide you with the best possible health care.
See a photo gallery of the SIU School of Medicine Match Day.
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