Jamie Iwa’lani McDermott
Graduating from: Midwestern University
Matched to: General Surgery at HonorHealth
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
Osteopathic training equips me with a whole person perspective, refined hands-on skills, and adaptability that will allow me to approach surgery with both precision and deeper clinical insight.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
Trust your training and lean into the resilience that got you here. As a DO, you’ve learned to see the whole person, and not just the problem, and yes, those OMM skills might just make you the most popular person on your team during long call nights. You’re more ready than you think.
Amanda Hawkins
Graduating from: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matched to: Emergency Medicine at McLaren Oakland – Pontiac, Michigan
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
From day one of med school, we were taught to view patients as people, to feel comfortable being near them. I think having those skills in the back of my mind makes every patient encounter better.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
Everything happens for a reason, so be yourself, be brave, and be honest with what you really want. Everything happens for a reason!
Liam Courtney
Graduating from: Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Matched to: Internal medicine and pediatrics (Med-Peds) at the University at Buffalo
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
My osteopathic training will definitely help me approach my patients more holistically, allowing me to better serve their needs. I’ll see a lot of patients transitioning from pediatric to adult care, and their needs involve their body, mind, and spirit.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
Anything is possible as a DO. No doors are closed to you. Shoot for the stars!
Veronica Martinez-Brockhus
Graduating from: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Matched to: Pathology at Massachusetts General Bringham with Harvard Medical School
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
My training as a DO truly has allowed me to view patients as a whole, which is incredibly important in the field of pathology. UIW’s curriculum also introduced pathology lectures in the first week of medical school, which helps students correlate pathology with every system learned. This was beneficial to my education as well as encouraging students to apply path. We had seven pathology applicants match from our class of about 130 students.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
Reach for the stars because you truly never know what you might achieve! You cannot get here alone. Don’t be afraid to lean on your village and support system when times get tough. But always remember, you can do anything you put your mind to!
Sharon Nguyen
Graduating from: Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matched to: PM&R at UT Health San Antonio
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
My osteopathic training helped me become familiar with anatomy while also focusing on the patient holistically.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
Don’t undersell yourself and find the right people to believe in you. Great mentorship goes a long way!
Scotty Jones
Graduating from: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matched to: Emergency Medicine at Baylor Scott & White – Temple, TX
I chose to take COMLEX-USA only. As I researched Emergency Medicine programs more deeply, I found that very few of the programs I was genuinely interested in required DO applicants to take both exams. The landscape appears to be shifting in a very positive direction for osteopathic students. Throughout my audition rotations and interviews, this decision was never questioned, which reinforced that programs are increasingly evaluating applicants holistically rather than relying solely on exam pathways.
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
My osteopathic training has emphasized a patient-centered, hands-on approach that aligns closely with Emergency Medicine. I was taught early to think broadly, use my senses, and focus on the whole patient rather than just a diagnosis. That perspective has shaped how I approach clinical care and how I will continue to grow during residency.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
You’ve already come a long way and are so close now! Keep showing up, working hard, being a great teammate, and taking care of your patients. Stay consistent, and before long, you’ll be reading the words, “Congratulations, you have matched!”
Brooke Prysi
Graduating from: Lincoln Memorial University Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matched to: Neurology at Loyola University Chicago
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
I think my osteopathic training has fostered my passion for serving underserved communities.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
I would tell the next cohort to shoot for the stars and make sure to keep an open mind!
Madeline Spettel
Graduating from: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Bradenton
Matched to: Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, OH)
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
My osteopathic training has taught me to focus on the whole person, not just the disease. This humanistic and holistic approach will allow me to provide the most comprehensive and compassionate care for my patients!
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
Trust that your hard work will pay off! The Match is overwhelming, but your unique individual qualities will shine through in the interview process. You will end up exactly where you’re meant to be! Always lead with intention and purpose, and stay true to yourself!
Vincy Mathew
Graduating from: NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matched to: Neurosurgery at Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
My osteopathic training gave me a strong foundation in anatomy and hands-on clinical skills. The depth of musculoskeletal understanding and comfort with palpation translated directly into my sub-internships, especially in spine surgery, where I could better understand anatomy intraoperatively and even help manage postoperative muscle tension using OMM principles. It also made me more confident and intuitive during physical exams, which is something patients and teams notice.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
Dream big; nothing is out of reach. Start early, be intentional, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Go to conferences, build relationships, and make yourself known. There will be setbacks, but those moments are where the most growth happens. Trust the process, stay consistent, and keep pushing forward.
This journey truly takes a village. I’m incredibly grateful to my mentors, family, and friends who supported me every step of the way and pushed me to be better when it mattered most.
Dani Sychowski
Graduating from: Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matched to: Emergency medicine at Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago (which was my #1!)
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
From day one as a DO student, we get “hands-on” practice with palpation and performing physical exams on skin. Going into emergency medicine, many times we will only have our physical exam to go off of initially (since histories can be limited!) – so I’m very grateful to have had a lot of training to hone my palpatory skills.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
Be yourself and think about what is most important to you in a program – location, fellowship opportunities, academic vs community. There are so many great programs out there. Take the time to research what sets them apart and would make them the best fit for you!
I also do feel a bit lucky that I knew coming into medical school that I wanted to go into emergency medicine, but I continued to keep an open mind all throughout my clerkships. Rotating through everything else only reinforced my decision to apply EM! If you’re unsure about what you want to go into, think about the “bread and butter” of what your typical day-to-day will look like. Every specialty has its exciting cases or procedures, but you’ll need to feel fulfilled with the majority of your workflow as well!
And lastly, I took a few moments after each interview to either record myself (to get a “live reaction” post-interview) or jot down as much info as I could remember into a spreadsheet. This helped so much when it came time to submit the ROL, especially when trying to think back about programs I interviewed with way back in October. I’d recommend trying to document post-interview thoughts/feelings in some form!
Joshua H. Baker, PhD
Graduating from: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matched to: Diagnostic Radiology
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
As the first physician in my family, I felt surrounded by students from similar middle-class backgrounds who were motivated, humble, and energized to contribute to their communities and profession. I believe the osteopathic physicians who trained me modeled the principle of excellence without elitism, and it cannot be overstated how beneficial this mindset has been for my patient care and career development.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
If given the opportunity, I believe osteopathic physicians can help lead the country through much-needed societal change to improve Americans’ health and the healthcare system we all share. There has never been a better time to be a DO!
Ava DiGirolamo
Graduating from: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Matched to: Psychiatry at The Ohio State University! My number one program 🙂
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
Going into psychiatry, I won’t be utilizing OMT every day, but I will be bringing the Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine into my work with patients every day! As someone who studied public health prior to medical school, I knew that earning my medical degree from an osteopathic medical school would continue to build upon my foundational knowledge in preventative medicine and whole person treatment.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
Thinking about the application season ahead is incredibly daunting, but truly, everything happens for a reason and will work out the way it’s supposed to. I believe the most important thing to keep in mind when writing your personal statement, completing your experiences section, and interviewing is to remain true to who you are as a person. This process is just as much about you finding a program that you feel at home at as it is for programs finding residents that fit in. Programs want to hear about your unique passions & hobbies, so don’t be afraid to stand out and be uniquely you!
Savannah Finley
Graduating from: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, South GA
Matched to: Family Medicine at TidalHealth in Salisbury, MD.
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
My osteopathic training has prepared me to communicate with patients from all backgrounds and be comfortable performing excellent physical exam maneuvers.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
I would say to reach out to whoever your support system is because fourth year can be daunting and having supportive people in your life is key. Don’t be afraid to have the audacity to dream big.
Cooper Allenbrand
Graduating from: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Matched to: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Washington
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
My osteopathic training has taught me to listen deeply and communicate effectively with patients. It has shaped a holistic approach to care and, more importantly, helped me understand each patient’s goals so I can support their return to what makes life meaningful to them.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
Just as healing and patient outcomes take a nonlinear path, so has your journey to get here. Trust the work you’ve put in and the person you’ve become along the way. Lean into opportunities and lift up those around you. The Match process can feel uncertain, but there is a place where your values, skills, and goals will align. Stay grounded, lean on your support system, and remember that you only need one ‘yes.’
Jessica Bennett
Graduating from: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matched to: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Providence Sacred Heart/St. Luke’s
How do you think your osteopathic training/qualifications will enable you to be successful in residency?
Osteopathic training has been critical in my successful match this year and will continue to help me provide excellent patient care in the future. My osteopathic training has offered me an intimate knowledge of anatomy and physiology, excellent palpatory skills, and a strong framework for how to address the whole person in front of me rather than just a particular symptom or disease process.
What would you say in encouragement to the next cohort of students about to Match after you?
Your hands are both diagnostic and therapeutic. No matter what specialty you’re entering, there is a place for OMT (which is a billable service). Even if you don’t feel exceptionally skilled in OMT, a quick 90-second treatment can be highly appreciated by a patient!