University of Cincinnati College of Medicine celebrates outstanding Match Day

The energy inside the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s Kresge Auditorium was electric on Friday, March 21, 2025, as 169 fourth-year medical students eagerly gathered with family, friends, faculty and staff for the highly anticipated Match Day 2025 ceremony.

The event marked the culmination of years of dedication, hard work and perseverance, with students learning where they will continue their medical training through residency programs.

Match Day is a pivotal moment in every medical student’s journey. Across the country, fourth-year medical students simultaneously open envelopes revealing their residency placements — the hospitals and programs where they will spend the next several years for specialized training. This year, the College of Medicine achieved an impressive 99.4% match rate, further solidifying its reputation for producing highly sought-after physicians.

“It’s the most exciting day of the year,” said Gregory Postel, MD, dean of the College of Medicine, Christian R. Holmes endowed professor and executive vice president for health affairs at UC. “You get to see the results of years of dedication and hard work come to life.”

Postel kicked off the ceremony with heartfelt remarks, acknowledging both the students’ achievements and the unwavering support of their families and friends.

“It’s been a difficult four years, starting during COVID, but this group of students has become a family who cares for each other,” said Postel.

He then drew the honorary first envelope, selecting Priyanka Vemuru, who celebrated with her parents.

“I’m joined onstage with my dad and my mom. My mom is the original Dr. Vemuru, specializing in pediatric emergency medicine, and I decided to follow in her footsteps,” she said, announcing her match to emergency medicine at her top choice, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Philip Diller, MD, PhD, senior associate dean for educational affairs, drew the second envelope, calling Kadi-Ann Rose to the stage. Rose matched in internal medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

"Thank you to everyone who has helped me through this journey. It takes a village, and my village definitely helped me,” she said.

Dawn Bragg, PhD, associate dean for student affairs, and Bruce Giffin, PhD, associate dean for medical education, continued the random drawing, with each student taking the stage to cheers and applause. Walk-up music, confetti and joyful tears filled the room as students shared their personal stories and future destinations.

Several students shared powerful moments that left lasting impressions on the crowd.

Matthew Bugada shared, “First I’d like to thank my family, my mentors and all my friends who helped me get here. A little bit about me: I’m a Type 1 diabetic, and I’ve been a patient at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center since the seventh grade. And I’m so happy to be working with the best people in the world in pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s for the next three years!”

Nana Agyeman, originally from Ghana, matched to child neurology at Cincinnati Children’s, sharing how far he’s come and his gratitude for the opportunity.

Couples shared their matches together, including Zana Percy (psychiatry) and Joshua Bennett (internal medicine), both heading to their top choice — Brown, an Ivy League university in Providence, Rhode Island.

Christina Bassette shared a touching moment: “I’ve actually known for three months where I’m going, but I just found out this morning that my husband matched at the same place — we’ll finally be together after three years!”

She matched in family medicine and will train at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

Amelia Gavulic, co-president of the Class of 2025, matched in general surgery at the University of Michigan, excitedly proclaiming, “We’re going home!”

Many students were thrilled to announce they matched at their top choice, including Kamala Nelson who matched general surgery at Washington University in St Louis and Andrea Toth, who matched internal medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. 

Numerous students matched in Cincinnati and are proud to continue serving the community, including Keyan Marshall. Marshall, co-president of the Class of 2025, had his family join him on stage and asked his parents to read his match. His father proudly read aloud, “My son got his no. 1 match, here at the University of Cincinnati!”

UC Health shared a message, saying Match Day represents “one of the most significant moments in their journey to becoming physicians. We are excited to welcome our next residents and proud to support them as they advance health in our community and beyond.”

Diller encouraged the students to carry their excitement forward. “There is so much energy in this room, and I hope you keep that same energy level going into residency,” he said.

The event garnered extensive media coverage. Local 12 highlighted the emotional journey of students who “are about to take the next step into a life-changing career.”

WLWT noted the day was filled with both anxiety and excitement, capturing the roller coaster of emotions as students learned their fate.

A Local 12 interview with Bugada focused on his deeply personal connection to CCHMC and how that experience inspired his future in pediatrics. 

WLWT featured interviews with students who expressed gratitude for matching into their top residency programs and shared their aspirations for making an impact in health care.

With a nearly perfect match rate year after year, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine continues to attract and nurture top talent. Students routinely match to prestigious institutions across the country, including the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Postel’s parting words perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the day: “Congratulations and best of luck! We couldn’t be happier for you.”

Featured image at top: Priyanka Vemuru of the College of Medicine Class of 2025 celebrates Match Day with her family. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II.