After four years of training at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, from moving to online learning at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to creating lasting friendships, students have been waiting to learn the next step.
Scranton school med students opened their Match Day envelopes at noon on Friday, joining thousands of other fourth-year med students across the country to find out where they matched for their residencies. Additional training begins after graduation, with students spending three to seven years working and learning in their chosen specialty.
As noon approached, students and their families were standing in blue and silver balloons spaced apart on an indoor soccer field at Riverfront Sports.
“We’re going to be happy no matter where we go,” said Williams, a resident of Clarks Summit and a graduate of the Scranton Preparatory School.
3… 2… 1… Williams unfolded the piece of paper and his family burst into tears: Yale University, pediatrics.
“This is amazing. I’m so excited,” she said, as her family was “live” on their cellphones so others could join in the excitement.
Tears, screams and hugs followed across the football field. Of the 107 students, over 50% will remain in Pennsylvania for their residencies and 37 will focus on primary care. Sixteen will complete full residencies in the Geisinger system and 15 are Abigail Geisinger Fellows, students who will graduate debt-free and return to the healthcare system after residency.
“This celebration allows families and loved ones to come together with pride,” said Julie Byerley, MD, president and dean of the medical school and executive vice president and chief academic officer of Geisinger. “It’s a tremendous achievement… I’m thrilled for them and our community.”
Gabriel Brutico, a Clarks Summit resident and Abington Heights graduate, posed for photos with his family. He will go to St. Luke’s in Bethlehem for internal medicine – your #1 choice.
Matt Parry, also of Clarks Summit and an Abington Heights graduate, will head to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center for orthopedic surgery. Parry, who received his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and his master’s degree in neuroscience, said orthopedics is the crossroads between biology and mechanical engineering.
“This is super exciting,” he said, as his family stood by his side. “It was amazing to be here with some of my best friends and watch them make their dreams come true.”
Syed Yousef Qadri, who grew up on drums, will practice psychiatry at Tower Health in Reading.
“The anticipation is over and now we know,” he said. “It’s been great and we ended things with a bang.”
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