On December 3, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) released the results of the 2025 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match (MPSM), which includes medical, pediatric, multidisciplinary, and addiction specialties for positions beginning in 2026. Of the 8,526 matched fellowship applicants, 1,351 were graduates of DO medical schools.
DOs are making the most significant gains in both absolute numbers and percentage growth, especially in high-demand and previously less-accessible subspecialties. U.S. DO graduates have seen the fastest growth in both the number of applicants and matches among all applicant types. Matched DOs increased by 37 percent from 988 in 2022 to 1,351 in 2026. The percentage of positions filled by DOs rose from 13.6 percent in 2022 to 15.8 percent in the 2025 MPSM Match. Match rates for DOs remain strong, between 78-83 percent, closing the gap with U.S. MD graduates.
“DOs are increasingly successful in competitive subspecialties, and are now a major presence in many subspecialties, reflecting both increased interest and greater acceptance by fellowship programs,” said President and CEO John R. Gimpel, DO, MEd.
In Critical Care Medicine, U.S. DOs have nearly doubled their match numbers since 2022, with a particularly strong increase of 22 percent in 2026. Other subspecialties with significant 5-year growth trends for DOs include Gastroenterology (up 41 percent), Pediatric Critical Care Medicine (up 83 percent), and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (up 42 percent).
“The 2025 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match underscores continued interest in and importance of subspecialty training in meeting the complex health care needs of patients nationwide,” said Donna L. Lamb, DHSc, MBA, BSN, NRMP president and CEO.
Read the full 2025 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match Report for additional findings and key data on the MPSM fellowship appointments.