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2015 Match Day

Sanghee Suh, Class of 2015, places a marker where she has been accepted into her top choice for a residency program.
Match Day is a ceremony steeped in tradition at medical schools across the country, and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine is no exception. Above, Sanghee Suh, Class of 2015, places a marker where she has been accepted into her top choice for a residency program.

Forty soon-to-be doctors at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine met their match during the school’s second annual Match Day celebration Friday. Suspense was high as each student learned where they would be going after graduation in May. Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine’s Class of 2015 will be pursuing residencies in 18 specialties across 18 states.

the dean sportingly donned the sorting hat.
“Hogwarts—of Harry Potter fame—lent us their sorting hat last year,” Dean Cynda Johnson told the full assembly of guests in the public ceremony. “It worked so well we asked to borrow it again. In our private ceremony, the sorting hat revealed to us where each of our graduating students would be receiving their residency training—and, I must say, the results were excellent.” By popular demand—in the form of playful protests from the previous class—the dean sportingly donned the sorting hat.

“Each of these excellent students is here today after years of hard work and focus, yet they are still in their 20s and 30s,” Dr. Cynda Johnson, dean of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine told the packed auditorium. “Some have already pursued advanced degrees and other careers, but in 2011 they continued their journey here, where they would experience all the advantages and challenges of being the second matriculating class in a still-new medical school.”

Dean Johnson presiding over the match day activities
Dean Johnson said the school's 100 percent match rate shows that its students are competitive on the national level. Nationally, 35,000 students registered to match for 27,000 available positions.
Angelica Stovall, business manager for student affairs, holds the magic envelopes.
Angelica Stovall, business manager for student affairs, holds the magic envelopes.
Students pick up the pin with their respective picture so they can pin it to the map.
Students pick up the pin with their respective picture so they can pin it to the map.

Match day ceremonies at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. (David Hungate for The Roanoker)

Amber Post will pursue a radiation oncology residency.
After a year-long preliminary program in surgery, Amber Post will pursue a radiation oncology residency.
Lindsey DeGeorge, class president, helps hand out the envelopes
With the suspense building and the clock ticking down, Lindsey DeGeorge, class president, helps hand out the envelopes.
Andrew Demmert carefully places his marker.
Andrew Demmert carefully places his marker.
Beth England will pursue a residency in emergency medicine.
Beth England will pursue a residency in emergency medicine.
Sam Bircher poses with his West Coast destination on the map.
The suspense is over, and now the celebration can begin. Sam Bircher poses with his West Coast destination on the map.
Sunana Chatrath will pursue a residency in obstetrics and gynecology.
Sunana Chatrath will pursue a residency in obstetrics and gynecology.
Sam Bircher announces his residency.
Sam Bircher announces his residency.
After announcing where their residency would be and in what specialty, each student placed a pin with his or her picture attached to a map of the United States.
James Dittmar announces his acceptance into a residency program in internal medicine.
James Dittmar announces his acceptance into a residency program in internal medicine.
Megan Whitham
Placement letters are distributed as anxious students like Megan Whitham, are ready for the suspense to be over.

Match day ceremonies at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. (David Hungate for The Roanoker)

Rohini Mehta shows her delight.
Rohini Mehta shows her delight.
Erin Straight finds her marker.
Erin Straight finds her marker.
Philipp von Marschall is happy with his placement, while others around him are reading their letters.
Philipp von Marschall is happy with his placement, while others around him are reading their letters.

Match day ceremonies at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. (David Hungate for The Roanoker)

.Jacquelyn Wentworth announces the next stage in her medical career.
Jacquelyn Wentworth announces the next stage in her medical career. She will remain in Roanoke and begin a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Carilion Clinic.

Match day ceremonies at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. (David Hungate for The Roanoker)

Alex Weller will pursue his dreams of becoming a doctor of internal medicine.
Alex Weller will pursue his dreams of becoming a doctor of internal medicine.

Match day ceremonies at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. (David Hungate for The Roanoker)

Sanghee Suh is overjoyed to announce she has been accepted into a pediatrics residency.
Sanghee Suh is overjoyed to announce she has been accepted into a pediatrics residency.
Carlie Blake and Danny Plessl make their way to the stage to announce their match as a "couple."
Carlie Blake and Danny Plessl make their way to the stage to announce their match as a "couple." They met and started dating at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, will relocate to the same area of the country for their residencies.
Boris Kiselev and Erin Straight
Boris Kiselev and Erin Straight
Student Lauren Poindexter and Elizabeth Gilliam hug as their matches are revealed
Student Lauren Poindexter and Elizabeth Gilliam hug as their matches are revealed
Shani Weerakoon is congratulated by his proud parents.
Shani Weerakoon is congratulated by his proud parents.
Chair of the Department of Surgery for Carilion Clinic and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Christopher "Chip" Baker, poses for pictures with Lauren Poindexter and Elizabeth Gilliam
Chair of the Department of Surgery for Carilion Clinic and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Christopher "Chip" Baker, poses for pictures with Lauren Poindexter and Elizabeth Gilliam, both of whom will begin surgical residencies later this year.
Paul Bakshi is overjoyed at his placement.
Paul Bakshi is overjoyed at his placement.
Danny Plessl and Carlie Blake speak to the news media afterwards.
Danny Plessl and Carlie Blake speak to the news media afterwards.
Sanghee Suh is overcome with emotion as she makes a telephone call announcing the results of her match.
Megan Donohue claims a spot on the map.
Megan Donohue claims a spot on the map.
Student Boris Kiselev talks to Dr. Aubrey Knight, associate dean for student affairs.
Student Boris Kiselev talks to Dr. Aubrey Knight, associate dean for student affairs.
Scott Dart listens to opening remarks.
Scott Dart listens to opening remarks.
Elizabeth Gilliam will pursue surgery.
Elizabeth Gilliam will pursue surgery.
Erin Straight will enter a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology.
Erin Straight will enter a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology.
Map showing flags with the student images, pinned at their residency locations
After Match Day, the giant residency map takes up residence in the library, where it becomes a conversation piece and a highlight of tours through the school.

Students were placed in residency programs in 18 states. By the end of the ceremony, the map was getting pretty full!

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