Since last fall, fourth-year medical students at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita have been applying and interviewing for residency programs across Kansas and throughout the United States, ranking their choices. Likewise, residency programs have ranked the students they most want to invite into their programs. The National Resident Matching Program, a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1952, provides the methodology for pairing the students and their residencies.
This process for fourth-year students culminated nationwide on Match Day, Friday, March 20. In Wichita, at Distillery 244, fourth-year medical students announced into which residency program they matched and where they will live for the next phase of their training after graduation in May. The ceremony was open to students and their invited guests. Others could watch virtually.
“Today is a milestone — one shaped by years of effort, sacrifice and steadfast commitment,” said Laura Tatpati, M.D., professor and dean of KU School of Medicine-Wichita. “This day marks the moment when possibility becomes direction and when the calling you answered years ago has a new and anxiously awaited time for clarity. We pause today to not only celebrate outcomes but honor the journey that brought you here. This discipline, the resilience, the moments of uncertainty and the many individuals who walked alongside you as teachers, mentors, family and friends.”
Of the 72 students at KU School of Medicine-Wichita who matched, 33 or 45.8% will stay in Kansas. Eight will attend KU Medical Center residencies, one will go to a KU Wichita residency in Salina, and 24 or 33.3% will remain in Wichita attending KUSM-W residencies. The remaining 39 students will travel to 20 other states to continue their medical education.
Of this year’s graduates, 30 or 41.7%will go into a primary care field (family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and med-pediatrics), seven will go into general surgery, five each in anesthesiology and OB-GYN; four in emergency medicine, three each in neurology, psychiatry and surgery preliminary; two each in diagnostic radiology, orthopedic surgery and physical medicine & rehabilitation; and one each in child & adolescent psychiatry, child neurology, dermatology, interventional radiology-integrated, urology and medicine preliminary.
“You will see today that we meet our many missions with national reach and a regional commitment,” said Tatpati. “It takes every type of setting for us to truly meet the broad needs of the health care system in the United States today.”
There was one couples match of two KU School of Medicine-Wichita medical students.
“Wherever you are called to train,” said Tatpati, “carry forward the values that have guided you here — service, humility, compassion and care for others. Whether you have matched in a KU program in Wichita, Salina or Kansas City or farther away, you are forever a Kansas JayDoc — and you will always have a home in Wichita where we will celebrate you and all you accomplish serving the world.”
Student spotlight: Dania Jumpa
Dania Jumpa, one of the medical students celebrating Match Day, said her overall education at KU School of Medicine-Wichita has been an incredible experience. Jumpa is originally from New York and has lived in Wichita since 2017. She graduated from Newman University.
“I’ve never felt like a number in Wichita,” she said. “The people have been the greatest part of my journey. From faculty to community members, so many have taken the time to check on me, support me and truly care about me. It has been such an honor to build meaningful relationships here and to gain hands-on experiences that have shaped me into the physician I hope to become.”
Jumpa was thrilled to share Match Day with her mother and the exciting moment when she announced where she will go for residency.
“She has been my rock and greatest supporter,” Jumpa said. “Her passion for serving has inspired me deeply and instilled in me the importance of giving back.”
Giving back is not just a plan for Jumpa. She has put it into action in several ways during her years as a medical student, including serving as a Dark Vapor co-coordinator with the Family Medicine Interest Group, presenting to elementary students about the dangers of vaping. As director for KU Community Health Alliance, she collaborated with local organizations to better support community needs such as bringing Walk with a Doc to Wichita in partnership with AARP. Jumpa also served as director of interpreter services at the KU School of Medicine-Wichita JayDoc Community Clinic “working with an amazing team to improve care for underserved and uninsured populations.
At the event, Jumpa shared she will be joining KU Wichita’s family medicine residency program at Wesley Medical Center.
“After residency, I hope to assist the underserved in the Wichita community through a Federally Qualified Health Center, like GraceMed Health Clinics or the Guadalupe Clinic,” explained Jumpa, “while also returning to my roots by participating in medical missions in rural areas of the Dominican Republic where my mother is from. I want to give back to the communities that have given so much to me.”
View the Flickr photo album from the Match Day ceremony in Wichita.