The University of Central Florida College of Medicine announced on March 23 that more than 100 students matched into residencies across the country, achieving a match placement rate of 99 percent. This figure is notably higher than the national average of 93.5 percent.
The high placement rate highlights UCF’s efforts to prepare medical students for competitive residency programs and address healthcare needs in Florida and beyond. Of the 108 students who matched, nearly half will complete some or all their training within Florida.
Students from UCF secured positions in a range of specialties including internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, surgery, pathology and emergency medicine. Residency placements span prestigious institutions such as Brown University, Duke University, Emory University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University and Vanderbilt University nationwide. In-state matches include Orlando Health and universities throughout Florida. Nine graduates will remain with UCF-HCA Healthcare residencies in Greater Orlando, Gainesville and Tallahassee.
Medical graduates are required to complete three to seven years of residency before practicing independently. Match results are kept confidential until noon on Match Day each year. “At noon, as you open your match envelope, you are opening the door to your future,” Deborah German, vice president for health affairs and dean at UCF College of Medicine said prior to the announcement.
This year’s Match Day was especially significant for German as she prepares to transition away from her leadership role after two decades guiding new cohorts through traditions like “The Good Doctor – A UCF Tradition.” Students also reflected on their journey by opening boxes containing words such as gratefulness and compassion they had chosen at the start of medical school.
Several students shared personal reactions to their matches: Ariana Johnson expressed emotion upon learning she would pursue an otolaryngology residency at Old Dominion University; Brandon Molligoda said matching into neurology at Duke fulfilled a long-held dream; Holly Moots described excitement about applying her research background during her internal medicine residency at Lakeland Regional Hospital.
UCF-HCA Graduate Medical Education Consortium continues its expansion as one of Florida’s fastest growing programs with over 800 physicians being trained this summer across multiple cities. “As the need for physicians grows in the state of Florida… we are helping to meet those needs,” Stephen Cico said regarding projected physician shortages over the next decade.
Cheryll Albold added: “We are excited to welcome the next generation of physicians who will carry forward our mission — above all else, to care for and improve human life — and deliver compassionate patient-centered care in the communities we are honored to serve.”
