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Amid all the excitement of Match Day, three medical students share their feelings about matching to top residency programs.

Match Day 2022: IU medical students match to top residency programs

Shaneise Ellis with Match Day sign

The IUPUI Campus Center buzzed with nervous energy as hundreds of IU School of Medicine students and their families gathered to learn where they will go next for their residency programs. The annual Match Day brought many shouts of joy and happy tears as red envelopes were opened precisely at noon on March 18, revealing medical students’ destinations after graduation.

Many IU School of Medicine students matched to top residency programs throughout the nation, with 78 matching to institutions ranked in the top 25 by U.S. News and World Report. Matches included:

  • Midwest: Northwestern, Washington University, University of Chicago, Michigan, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic
  • South: Duke, UT Southwestern, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt
  • West: Stanford, Colorado, UC San Diego
  • East: Harvard, NYU, Einstein, Pittsburgh

Amid all the excitement in the room, some of these outstanding medical students shared their feelings about their matches.

 


Grant VanNess

Grant VanNess with his family on Match DayHometown: Fort Wayne

Specialty: Pediatrics

Match location: Mayo Clinic

 

How are you feeling about your Match?

Pretty excited—can't wait. I love pediatrics, so I'm happy to be able to pursue what I would love to do at a place that I think is one of the best in the world. I'm just super happy to be able to learn medicine the right way at the right place.

 

What led you to choose pediatrics as your specialty?

I get a big sense of fulfillment out of working with kids. I really feel like I can do a lot of good in making sure they live happy, healthy lives as healthy children, building good habits and becoming healthy adults.

 

What are you most looking forward to in residency?

I'm looking forward to the patients I'm going to be able to impact on an even greater level than I have as a med student and really be a part of their lives. And I'm looking forward to meeting my colleagues and kind of growing into the role of a doctor.

 

What's been the highlight of your time at IU school of medicine?

The highlight was my time working at Riley (Children’s Hospital). I mean, there was never a bad day over there, and it really inspired my passion for pediatrics.

 

Is there any faculty member who has particularly inspired you and encouraged you along the way?

I might not be where I am today without the influence of all the amazing doctors over at Riley. Dr. Jean Molleston is my role model.

 

Shannon Killeen

Shannon Killeen with her family at Match DayHometown: Bloomington

Specialty: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Match location: Harvard Medical School

 

How are you feeling about your Match?

I feel amazing—I really wanted to match at Harvard. I was nervous, and it's just relief right now. I'm so excited.

 

What led you to choose physical medicine and rehabilitation as your specialty?

I have a really amazing mentor here at IU named Dr. Sara Cartwright. I just keep following in her footsteps, or at least trying to.

 

What are you most looking forward to in residency?

I'm looking forward to getting more confident and finally stepping into that role of physician and getting to work with patients.

 

How prepared do you feel going into residency?

I'm very nervous, but I feel prepared.

 

 

Shaneise Ellis

Shaneise Ellis with her family on Match DayHometown: Fort Wayne

Specialty: Pediatrics

Match location: Northwestern University

 

How are you feeling about your Match?

I'm so excited with my match. I couldn’t be happier.

What led you to choose pediatrics as your specialty?

Treating children and watching them get better just fills me with so much joy, and I couldn't imagine myself being anywhere else.

 

What's been the highlight of your time at IU school of medicine?

I think my highlight was meeting so many amazing people, having so many great mentors who just encouraged me every day. I'll miss them most as I’m moving to Chicago.

 

Is there any faculty member who has particularly inspired you and encouraged you along the way?

Absolutely, Dr. Klemsz has been a motivator. She has pushed me. And she makes me want to be a pediatrician just like her.

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Laura Gates

Laura is senior writer with the Office of Strategic Communications and loves to tell the stories of outstanding students, faculty and staff at IU School of Medicine. A native Hoosier, she has over 25 years of experience in communications, having worked with newspapers and other media organizations in Indiana and Florida, along with small businesses, community groups and non-profit organizations. Before joining IU School of Medicine in January 2020, she was editor-in-chief of a lifestyle magazine serving the community of Estero, Florida.

The views expressed in this content represent the perspective and opinions of the author and may or may not represent the position of Indiana University School of Medicine.