ST. LOUIS — Fourth-year students from Saint Louis University’s School of Medicine found out where they will spend their residency. 

They gathered with family and friends on March 15 at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton to celebrate Match Day as part of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), annually matching students with residency programs across the United States.

Launch SlideshowSaint Louis University School of Medicine fourth-year students celebrate during Match Day at the Ritz-Carlton on Friday, March 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.

“For those of you who will train at SLU, we welcome you to our community,” said Christine Jacobs, M.D., vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “For those of you who will leave, you will carry us with you in your clinical skills, your tenacity, and the resilience that you have developed in the last four years.”

The entering Class of 2024 enrolled into medical school at the height of a global pandemic, the occasion marked by a delayed white coat ceremony in 2022 prior to clinical rotations.

“There was so much uncertainty,” said Chad S. Miller, M.D., senior associate dean for undergraduate medical education. “But you showed up, you did the work and you persevered, and we could not be prouder of you.”

"Medical school has shown you that you are capable, conscientious, tenacious, tough," said Tina Chen, M.D., associate dean of similation and clinical skills, in a toast to the Class of 2024. "You have worked hard for this moment and the future is yours."

Class of 2024

Then, over 6,000 applicants competed for 183 spots at the School of Medicine. The entering Class of 2024 hailed from across the United States, including 12 from other countries. They represented 83 undergraduate institutions, including 10% from Jesuit undergraduate institutions. Thirteen are first-generation college grads and 80% communicate in over 25 languages, including 17% who are fluent in more than one language. They also completed over 6,000 hours of service and more than 63,000 hours of research time.

Prior to Match Day, students apply and interview at residency programs in the specialty of their choice and rank their preferences. The residency programs also rank their preferences of students. The rank lists are then matched through NRMP.

Medical Student Government Executive President Kasey Meeks and Vice President April Lewis addressed the audience about their shared journey.

“We've spent the past few months trying to convince these programs that they should want us, but the reality is that every program listed in those envelopes is lucky to have us,” Meeks said. “This class has shouldered the traditional burdens of medical school, plus a never-ending list of new challenges and unprecedented situations with an incredible amount of grace and resilience.”

Meeks and the other students opened their sealed envelopes at the 11 o’clock hour, followed by shrieks of joy. Meeks had matched with University of Maryland Medical Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology.  Growing up in a rural, medically underserved area, she experienced firsthand the ways that “our current healthcare system can fail patients” she said. She is passionate about improving individual and community health outcomes upon graduation.

Another student Ritika Jain will remain in St. Louis to continue her studies. Jain matched with SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine for Psychiatry.

After completing her undergraduate degree with majors in molecular and cellular biology and psychology at the University of Illinois, Jain joined the medical school because she resonated with SLU’s mission and emphasis on mental health.

“I'm feeling very optimistic about my match! I think St. Louis still has plenty of opportunities for me, and I don't think my time here is quite finished yet” Jain said.

SLU’s mission also was a draw for Isabelle Carbone. Carbone earned her master’s in public health at SLU in 2022. Now, she heads west where she matched with University California-Davis Medical Center for Family Medicine.

“I was attracted to SLU because of its focus on serving the underserved, commitment to social justice, and its emphasis on caring for the whole person ("Cura Personalis"),” Carbone said.

Neal Modi matched with Houston Methodist Hospital for General Surgery with an interest in transplant hepatobiliary and colorectal surgery. Throughout his career, the aspiring surgeon and administrator has sharpened his critical thinking and innovative abilities through research at SLU. He has also dedicated time to service in both a clinical setting and organizations throughout the community.