The Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) celebrated the school’s second Match Day on March 21, with 100% of its graduating class securing first-year residency (PGY1) positions at top programs across the nation.
Match Day, a pivotal milestone for medical students, marks the period when students learn which residency program they have matched into to begin their career as a specialized physician. After months of applications and interviews, Match Day placement is determined by the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP), which utilizes a sophisticated algorithm to place applicants into residency programs based on their ranked preferences.
“Today, we are so proud to announce the residency matches of our second class of students while also acknowledging the years of hard work, dedication and accomplishments that have led each of them to this moment, said John L. Dalrymple, MD, dean and chief executive officer of Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine.
“Together we have set out to drive profound transformation in medical education and we look forward to seeing the positive impact these students will bring to their residency programs while addressing health equity in their respective communities.”
KPSOM student Brandon Towns’ journey to residency included a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma during his first year in medical school.
“Amid the usual stress of exams and lectures, I found myself juggling PET scans and bone marrow biopsies,” said Towns.
“On Match Day, I reflect on that year of fear and uncertainty with a mosaic of emotions, but none more so than gratitude – gratitude for the perspective I gained on patient care and for the firsthand understanding of what true empathy means for those facing the most frightening moments of their lives. As I take the next step in my medical training, I carry this experience with me, and I fully believe it will make me a more compassionate physician for my future patients.”
Towns has now matched to UC San Diego Medical Center in the Anesthesiology program.
This year, 50% of students matched into programs within California and the top three institutions with the most matches for KPSOM students are Mount Sinai Hospital, UC Davis Medical Center, and UC San Diego Medical Center.
While all students have achieved something incredible, several Match Day experiences carry special weight for KPSOM students such as:
Jacob Abrahams – Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital: Began his journey at KPSOM a month after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, signifying his formal transition from patient to physician.
Saadiq Garba – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mass General Brigham: A first-generation American whose Match Day experience represents the culmination of years of challenges, including learning English and being far from home.
Brandon Towns – Anesthesiology, UC San Diego Medical Center: Learned to be a physician while simultaneously being a patient, undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma throughout his first year.
Ariana Vajdi – Psychiatry, Charles R. Drew University: A non-traditional student who took five years off between undergraduate and medical school.
Virginia Xie – Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota: The first in her family to pursue an advanced degree, study STEM, and/or become a doctor.
KPSOM’s second class of students will begin their residencies following the school’s May 2025 graduation. These future physicians will have the opportunity to incorporate invaluable skills they have acquired in patient-centered care, population health, and health equity in the next stage of their professional journeys.
To learn more about KPSOM’s curriculum and hands-on preparation for residency and beyond, visit medschool.kp.org/education/residency-preparedness.
