Medical School Match Day - 2009

March 19th was Match Day. All the graduating Medical School Students in the U. S. A. were given their next assignment. The East Coast gathered at 12:00 Noon and Medical Schools throughout the U. S. A. met at the same time. From my point of view this was very much like the National Football League Draft. Everyone got their assignments. Prior to Match Day every student indicated their preferences. Of course not all received their first choice but I did not see any unhappy faces.

I attended this event because for the last ten years I have been a Standardized Patient at the Mercer University School of Medicine here in Macon, Georgia. A few years ago the Medical School developed a scheme where each Standardized Patient worked with the same Students for a given period of time. The Class of 2009 was the first group of students that studied with this scheme. It became known as the "Designated Standardized Patient" program. Each pretend patient was assigned the same Medical School students so it was possible to develop a normal Doctor/Patient Relationship over a period of time.

I worked with Six Medical School Students of the Class of 2009. Matches were made for four. The other two are pending. The Medical School System attempts to find the match that is most appropriate for the Student as well as meeting the desires of the Student. It was very interesting to observe this event. The Medical School Students and their respective families were gathered for this great day in the lives of each graduate of the 2009. Many Students had young children and babies. It was a most positive experience to observe these young families as they received their assignments and also looked forward to the next phrase in their Medical Training.

I consider myself most fortunate and also well blessed to be involved in this program.