Match Day reveals sharp increase in medical students staying in Toledo for residency

March 17, 2017 | News, UToday, Medicine and Life Sciences

By Christine Billau

Through waves of happy tears and cheers at Stranahan Theater’s Great Hall on Match Day, members of the next generation of doctors reached a thrilling milestone in their medical careers by ripping open envelopes that revealed not only where they will spend the next few years of their training, but also a growing commitment to the northwest Ohio region.

Fifteen percent of the 155 medical students graduating from The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences this year will stay in Toledo to continue their training at UT. That is more than double the number in 2016.

Amala Ambati, left, Megan Mooney and Eric Lindsley all matched at The University of Toledo. Ambati will study internal medicine, Mooney will focus on orthopaedics, and Lindsley will work in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Twenty-three fourth-year students matched here for their hospital residencies, compared to a total of nine last year and eight in 2015.

“We are very excited that many students are choosing to stay in Toledo to continue their training,” Dr. Christopher Cooper, dean of the UT College of Medicine and Life Sciences and executive vice president for clinical affairs, said. “There are many contributing factors, and one is the Academic Affiliation with ProMedica. This is helping our region retain talent because approximately 70 percent of residents establish their practice in the community where they complete their terminal training.”

Jennifer Amsdell matched at UT for neurology.

“The wait was nerve-wracking, but I am so happy I matched with my top choice,” Amsdell said. “I wanted to stay because of the faculty in neurology. I’ve been able to spend a lot of time with them in rotations and during research projects. They are amazing mentors and teachers.”

Ryan Johnston matched at UT for emergency medicine.

“My wife immediately started crying, and I couldn’t stop smiling because this was our No. 1 choice,” Johnston said. “We’re both from northwest Ohio and want to stay home. Plus, the Academic Affiliation with ProMedica benefits the specialty of emergency medicine because of high patient volumes, different acuities, and presentations of illnesses at Toledo Hospital. I think that is going to lead to extensive learning. I’m excited to see what the future holds for the Academic Affiliation.”

The students, who are graduating in May, matched in 21 specialties, with 50, or 32 percent, in primary care fields. The top specialties for this graduating class were internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine and anesthesiology.

Ohio was the most popular state with 65 students matching here, compared to 52 last year. The second most popular state was Michigan with 14, followed by Illinois with 12. Overall, students matched with programs in 30 states.