{"id":36095,"date":"2026-03-24T09:51:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T16:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medicine.wsu.edu\/news\/?p=36095"},"modified":"2026-03-24T11:10:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T18:10:48","slug":"2026-match-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medicine.wsu.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/24\/2026-match-day\/","title":{"rendered":"WSU\u00a0College of Medicine Celebrates Match Day,\u00a0Milestone for Class of 2026\u00a0Coug\u00a0Docs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"Jess<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Nathan<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Jasen<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is celebrating its sixth Match Day, a major milestone for medical students on their path to filling a critical need for more physicians in Washington and beyond.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each year, a competitive national matching process<\/a> pairs medical students with residency programs in their chosen specialty, the next step in their training to become independently practicing physicians. Match results are released on the third Friday of March, on March 20 this year.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please join us in congratulating the MD Class of 2026 on their matches, which will take them to residencies across the country, and welcome WSU\u2019s newest resident physicians and fellows, who will join us in Washington this summer.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MD Program: Medical Students Meet Their Match <\/h2>\n\n\n
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The\u202fWSU College of Medicine\u2019s MD program<\/a> celebrated another successful match season this year, with 97% of graduating students matching into residency programs on or before Match Day. Seventy-four students matched, our largest match class yet.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t97.4%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tResidency Attainment<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Among this year\u2019s class, 30% will remain in Washington for residency, reflecting their commitment to serving the state as physicians. Doctors are more likely to practice medicine<\/a> in the area they complete their residency training.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many students who matched out of state won\u2019t be gone for long. WSU\u2019s MD program admits applicants with ties to Washington who demonstrate an interest in serving the state\u2019s rural and underserved communities. This process has shown success, as most graduates who have entered practice are now practicing in Washington<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year,\u00a051%\u00a0of the class\u00a0chose primary care\u00a0specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and OB\/GYN. They\u00a0hope to make\u00a0an impact\u00a0by\u00a0helping\u00a0to\u00a0address\u00a0an acute shortage of\u00a0primary\u00a0care physicians locally and nationwide.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFamily medicine feels like where I was always supposed to be,\u201d said fourth-year medical student Leah Kooiman, who matched into residency at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley in a medically underserved region of California. \u201cI’m excited to get to satisfy my desire for variety and breadth of scope, see patients of all ages, and build long-term relationships with patients.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t27.9%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tMatched in Washington (Includes PGY-1 who will be out of state for PGY-2)<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
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\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t37.8%\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tMatched in the Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID, and AK; includes PGY-1 who will be out of state for PGY-2)\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
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\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t51.3%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tMatched in Primary Care Specialties (Family Med, Internal Med, Pediatrics, and OB\/GYN)\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\"Evan<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Other members of the Class of 2026 hope to make a difference by improving access to specialist care, from anesthesiology to orthopedic surgery.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“In orthopedics, I found a blend of craft and collaboration, technical skill, creativity, and the privilege of helping patients with a tangible, immediate impact,” said Julia Todderud, who matched into an orthopedic surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She will be the college\u2019s first female orthopedic surgeon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many soon-to-be graduates are also looking forward to making an impact through medical research and advocacy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After completing an\u00a0internal medicine\u00a0residency\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0University of Washington,\u00a0Zachary Gottschalk\u00a0plans to pursue subspecialty training in hematology and oncology.\u00a0He\u2019s\u00a0excited about new frontiers in cancer treatment like immunotherapy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to contribute meaningfully to our collective body of medical knowledge, helping refine future care for generations to come,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each medical student\u2019s journey is unique. Visit our Match Day website to learn more about our students and their plans to make a difference for patients locally and beyond.  <\/p>\n\n\n

\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tView MD Program Matches\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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