Biddeford Campus, BC, Commons, Students at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, COM, held Match Day, on March 17 where they foud out where they will serve their residencies. Courtey photo/University of New England

BIDDEFORD —The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) held its annual Match Day celebration on March 17 on the Biddeford campus, with an incredible 166 medical students matching to residencies across the state and nation.

Match Day is the date each year when participating fourth-year medical students learn where they will be completing their medical residencies, and in what specialties, following graduation. UNE’s event was part of Match Day celebrations across the nation, as students vying for slots in the National Residency Match Program found out their placements.

At noon exactly, students in the UNE COM Class of 2023 opened envelopes containing their residency placements, surrounded by their closest friends and family. There were collective cheers of joy amid happy tears and toasts with champagne.

“For you, this has been a lot of years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication,” Jane Carreiro, D.O., vice president for Health Affairs and dean of UNE COM, told students in her opening remarks. “Ahead of you are great opportunities, many successes, lots of learning, and lots of growth. You folks have so many wonderful attributes, and your knowledge and your skills are incredible. The world is yours.”

Maria Terzis (D.O., ’23) will be staying in Maine after graduation, completing a residency in pediatrics at Maine Medical Center. The Boston native said Match Day felt like a dream.

“The Match is bigger than graduation; it is a reflection of years of hard work and dedication to pediatrics,” she remarked. “I began this journey over 10 years ago. The road to becoming a physician was long and tough; however, this challenge has made me who I am. I have no doubt this is what I was always meant to do.”

UNE boasts an exceptionally high match rate for its osteopathic medical graduates. This year, 98.2% of students matched to residencies in 15 specialties, higher than the national averages for allopathic medical schools (93.7%) and other osteopathic medical schools (91.6%).

The College of Osteopathic Medicine is ranked in the Top 10 medical schools where graduates are most likely to match with their first-choice residency program and is ranked in the Top 20 medical schools nationwide for producing primary care residents. UNE COM is also ranked 12th in the nation for graduates practicing in rural areas.