At exactly noon, fourth-year students in MSU’s College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids tore open sealed envelopes to reveal their “matches” – the specific hospitals where they will spend the next several years in residency.
“Going to Mayo Clinic for my top specialty in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and I couldn’t be more excited!”
Nathan Hankerson says it’s one of the biggest steps in a medical student’s journey.
“I think once you see it, it’s all worth it - all the stress of medical school, taking exams, sleepless nights. Everything was all worth it for today.”
Although students can be placed nationwide, Community Assistant Dean Dr. Matt Emery says the program encourages professionals to stay in the state.
“Fifty-one percent of you will be staying here in Michigan. Eleven of you in Grand Rapids, 13 in the greater Grand Rapids area and 15 in West Michigan.”
Jacob Charron is going to Trinity Health in Muskegon.
“I grew up in West Michigan. I knew I wanted to serve West Michigan as a physician. That’s where my heart is. "
Charron, whose wife is already a resident at Corewell Health, managed the rigors of medical school while raising 18-month-old twin boys.
"Being a dad has transformed me in ways I didn’t think possible. I’m going to be a family medical doctor, and I think I can serve my patients a million times better.”
Of the 53 students, 49% are going to specialize in primary care.
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