The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Heersink School of Medicine celebrated Match Day on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Alys Stephens Center. This pivotal event marks the culmination of years of hard work and dedication for medical students as they discover where they will spend the next phase of their medical training.
The significance of Match Day in medical education cannot be overstated, as it sets the stage for students' future careers. This year, UAB's Match Day had a 99.4% match rate, showcasing the strength of UAB's medical program.
"Match Day and graduation are two days that I truly enjoy participating in to celebrate our medical students," said Anupam Agarwal, M.D., senior vice president for Medicine and dean of Heersink School of Medicine, during his opening remarks. "Your class has really gone through a lot these last four years ... I'm grateful to the team–all the learning communities, leadership, staff, and everyone–who played a huge role. We really want to thank each one of them for their help in getting you to where you are today."
Relevant Match Data:
• Total matches: 183
• UAB matches: 43
• Residents staying in AL: 68
For detailed match results by specialty, visit Match Day Results by Specialty 2025.
Match Day is an annual event where medical students nationwide learn which residency programs they have been matched to. Match Day aims to align students' preferences with the needs of residency programs, ensuring a mutually beneficial fit. Historically, Match Day has been a cornerstone in the medical field, symbolizing the transition from medical school to residency. The matching process involves students ranking their preferred programs while programs rank their preferred candidates. The National Residency Matching Program then uses a complex algorithm to match students with programs.
Matching to a residency program significantly influences students' future paths in medicine. It determines the environment in which they will hone their skills and develop their specialties. Students often reflect on their residency choices and how these align with their career aspirations. The impact of Match Day extends beyond the immediate excitement, shaping the trajectory of their professional lives.
“Match day was surreal, and celebrating the culmination of all our achievements alongside the friends we have made throughout this journey was incredible,” said Mckinley Williams, the MS4 class vice president who matched into surgery at UAB. “Medical school has been four of the best years for me, and though I am sad to see it go, I could not be more excited for what lies ahead. I am so proud of our class and am eager to call them my colleagues in three short months.”
Match Day is significant for UAB students, marking a major milestone in their medical careers. It is a day of celebration, reflection, and anticipation for the future. For future medical students, Match Day represents the culmination of their efforts and the beginning of a new chapter. The role of Match Day in cultivating the medical community at UAB is profound, fostering a sense of achievement and community.
See photos from the day.