From classrooms to hospital halls: CWRU medical students celebrate Match Day
Triumphant shouts, tears of joy and giant hugs filled the Health Education Campus Samson Pavilion on March 20 as 227 Case Western Reserve University medical students ripped open their Match Day envelopes when the clock struck noon.
Arguably one of the most anticipated days in a medical student’s journey, Match Day is the culmination of years of hard work paying off. It’s when every graduating medical student in the U.S. discovers the result of their residency program placement at the same time, learning where they'll spend the next several years completing specialized training on the path to earning their medical license.
“This year’s residency matches highlight the dedication, talent and perseverance of our students, and the strength of our School of Medicine community,” said Dean Stanton Gerson, MD. “Each match represents not only the next step in a student’s career, but also the promise of compassionate, innovative care for patients and communities everywhere. As our graduates move forward, I hope they never lose sight of the importance of listening to their patients and approaching their work with humility.”
CWRU's Class of 2026 match results reflect a remarkable “brain gain” for Ohio, with 29% of students staying in the Buckeye State and many matching with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine's hospital affiliates—31 at University Hospitals, 17 at Cleveland Clinic and eight at MetroHealth Medical Center.
“Match Day is always a highlight of the academic year, and this year’s results are truly remarkable,” said Lia Logio, MD, vice dean for medical education. “I am so proud of our medical students for their individual achievements and the impressive number who are staying in Ohio to serve our communities.”
Internal medicine is the top-matched residency program with 49 students, followed by general surgery (18), psychiatry (16), dermatology (13), neurology (13), family medicine (12), orthopaedic surgery (11), obstetrics-gynecology (11) and ophthalmology (11).
Outside of Northeast Ohio, students matched at places such as Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals, Stanford Health Care, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Duke University Medical Center and Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
“CWRU has challenged me to think critically, lead collaboratively and serve intentionally,” reflected Brock Montgomery, who matched in dermatology at MetroHealth. “Through clinical training and research opportunities, I’ve developed the confidence and resilience needed for residency. More importantly, I’ve learned how to continue learning—which may be the most important skill of all.”
