For thousands of medical students across the country, four years of hard work culminated into two words — "You matched!" — as these aspiring physicians discovered where they will continue their journey in medicine.

“Match Day is special for medical students but is also a time for faculty and staff,” said Irfan Asif, M.D., chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine and associate dean of Primary Care and Rural Health. “Our faculty and staff pour their time into teaching, mentoring, and supporting Heersink students as they gain clinical expertise, learn about research, volunteer their time at community clinics, and explore what it means to be a family physician. This dedication to cultivating the next generation of primary care physicians is truly appreciated and makes a huge impact in the health of our state.

“Kudos to those who help to shape the next generation of physicians, congratulations to everyone who matched, and welcome to the new members who will be joining our department as part of our family!”

The Department of Family and Community Medicine will be welcoming 33 future residents — including eight UAB Heersink School of Medicine students — who matched into the Cahaba-UAB Family Medicine Residency, UAB Selma Family Medicine Residency, and newly branded UAB St. Vincent's East Family Medicine Residency programs.

“The UAB St. Vincent’s East Family Medicine program at Christ Health Center is delighted to welcome eight new talented and aspiring family physicians into our residency family,” said English Gonzalez, M.D., MPH, FAAFP, program director for the UAB St. Vincent’s East Family Medicine program. “We are honored that eight such gifted individuals would choose our program as their launching pad for a career in family medicine. Our faculty, staff, current residents, and administrative team are all excited to partner in the journey of equipping these young doctors for their calling.”

Family Medicine ranked second among all specialties for the Class of 2025, with 23 UAB School of Medicine graduates matching into the field. Overall, 64 Heersink students matched into primary care specialties, representing 39.5% of the Class of 2025.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, programs offered a record 5,379 family medicine positions, up 148 compared to a year ago. Family medicine accounted for 86% of the primary care positions offered and 84% of primary care positions filled. The United States is projected to need up to 48,000 more primary care physicians by 2034.

Research links access to a family physician to lower health care costs, longer and healthier lives, and higher patient satisfaction. Match Day is a reminder of family physicians' vital role in their communities—in areas large and small, rural and urban.

The new resident classes for the Cahaba-UAB, UAB Selma, and UAB St. Vincent’s East Family Medicine Residency programs includes:

Cahaba-UAB Family Medicine Residency - Highlands:

• Maria Chilo Bejarano, M.D., Universidad Autonoma Gabriel Rene Moreno Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Humana
• Hannah Goymer, M.D., UAB Heersink School of Medicine
• Charlton Nguyen, D.O., Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn Campus
• Jennifer Okpara, M.D., Windsor University

Cahaba-UAB Family Medicine Residency - Urban:

• Breonna Arvie, M.D., Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport
• Victoria Fonzi, M.D., Emory University School of Medicine
• Steven Gaffin, M.D., UAB Heersink School of Medicine
• Gavin Hillsman, M.D., Meharry Medical College
• Elisabeth Holbert, M.D., UAB Heersink School of Medicine
• Hunter Johnson, M.D., UAB Heersink School of Medicine
• Emily Tran, D.O., Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Cahaba-UAB Family Medicine Residency – Rural:

• Sydney Brice, D.O., Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus
• Thomas Gwin, M.D., UAB Heersink School of Medicine
• Allison Harvey, D.O., Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn Campus
• Abygayle Nelson, M.D., UAB Heersink School of Medicine
• Jaida West, M.D., UAB Heersink School of Medicine

Cahaba-UAB Family Medicine Residency – Frontier:

• Batool Alzghoul, M.D., Hashemite University Faculty of Medicine
• Adeniyi Busari, M.D., Obefemi Awolowo University
• Saw Paul Htoo, M.D., Institute of Medicine I-Myanmar
• Samina Zahid, M.D., Khyber Girls Medical College

UAB Selma Family Medicine Residency:

• Malik Ahmad, M.B.B.S., Shifa College of Medicine
• Mohamed Elawady, M.Med., Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine
• Mehak Marwah, M.B.B.S., Guru Gobind Singh Medical College
• John Omole-Matthew, M.B.B.S., University of Ibadan College of Medicine
• GP Sohi, M.B.B.S., Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences & Research

UAB St. Vincent’s East Family Medicine Residency at Christ Health Center:

• Mark Demayo, D.O., Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn Campus
• Taylor Golden, M.D., UAB Heersink School of Medicine
• Willa Green, D.O., Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn Campus
• Oluwaseyi Isehunwa, M.D., Obafemi Awolowo University College of Health Sciences
• Brian Norheim, D.O., University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Eunice Ogbuj, M.D., University of Science, Arts & Technology (USAT) Faculty of Medicine
• Brianna Reed, M.D., University of South Alabama College of Medicine
• Christopher Vance, D.O., Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine