UK medical students celebrate Match Day in Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- On Friday, medical students across the United States celebrated a significant milestone with Match Day ceremonies.

In south-central Kentucky, 30 graduates gathered at Fountain Square Park to discover where they will begin their medical careers through the National Resident Matching Program. The event paired students’ preferences with hospital needs, setting the stage for their next three to five years of residency. After years of rigorous education, these future doctors are ready to begin their hands-on training.

Challee Shartzer, a child neurology resident, shared her excitement about this next chapter in her medical journey.

“All of medical school is so hard, and you don’t get through it without having a great support system,” she said. “I’m excited to go and learn, help kids, and do some good.”

The moment was not only personal for students but also crucial in addressing the nation’s healthcare shortage, according to Kent Lewis, a UK student program specialist.

“We have a shortage of healthcare professionals across the board,” Lewis said. “This is the pinnacle of what they’ve achieved, and it’s exciting to see them reach this point.”

More than 170 students at the University of Kentucky will now embark on residency programs that promise to shape their careers and the future of healthcare.