Can't Stop the Match
Amid a world health crisis, the Stritch School of Medicine Class of 2020 came together as a virtual community to celebrate one of the most important milestones in a medical students’ educational journey: Match Day.
From their homes and apartments across the country, M4 students logged onto their computers on Friday, March 20, to learn their residency match alongside their fellow students, mentors, and families. The decision to host a virtual Match Day this year came amidst the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which has wreaked havoc on health systems around the world. "Given our current environment, the career you have chosen – one of service – is so vital to caring for the greater good,” interim Dean Sam Marzo, MD, said in his congratulatory statement. “As you begin this next phase, remember the importance of caring for yourself, too."
This year, Sean Greenhalgh, MD, FACP, associate professor, hospital medicine, received the Outstanding Clinical Educator Award and Theresa Kristopaitis, MD, FACP, professor, hospital medicine, medical education was the recipient of the Outstanding Classroom Educator Award. These honors are voted on by the M4 class. During his acceptance speech via livestream, Dr. Greenhalgh shared his own experience with the Match and how students should not be discouraged if they don’t get their first pick: “Fourteen years ago, when I opened up my envelope, Loyola was my number two. I didn’t expect to be here. I was disappointed. Today, I know it’s where I was meant to be. Remember these things happen for a reason.”
View photos and moments Stritch M4s have shared.
