“It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it and make it the life you want to live.”
– Mae Jemison, American engineer, physician, astronaut and the first African American woman to go to space
Last week, fourth-year medical students from across the United States participated in Match Day – a momentous, anxiety-inducing rite of passage for future physicians. In this one pivotal moment, after years of hard work and dedication, each of our learners discovered where they will go to complete their residency and write the next major chapter of their lives.
As match envelopes were torn open, hugs were shared, tears were shed and futures were revealed. It was an experience our learners will remember for the rest of their lives. But what sticks with me after each Match Day is their preparation and perseverance in pursuit of their dreams.
For some, they must accept disappointment at not matching with their top choice. For many, their match will take them far away from friends and family. For all, this moment represents one of the biggest changes they will ever experience. But no matter what, they will take their passion for medicine and use it to positively impact the people and communities they serve.
As they prepare for this new chapter, I like to remind our Match Day participants of an important life lesson: They hold the keys to their own success. No matter what program they found listed inside their envelope, they determine their future.
Like our learners, we must all navigate forks in the road, transform challenges into opportunities and deal with change. Life is a journey, regardless of your profession. We have to show up, every day, to live our lives to the fullest, chase our dreams and make a positive impact on the world around us.
For our learners, how they show up for their residency – every moment of every day – is what will shape the physicians they will become. And I know they will succeed. I have seen their talent, their empathy and their courage. I have also seen how committed they are to this profession. It is their calling and their dream. I know they will show up.
The future of medicine is so very bright.
Learn more about Match Day 2024 at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Dean, College of Medicine
Leslie H. and Abigail S. Wexner Dean’s Chair in Medicine
Vice President for Health Sciences, Wexner Medical Center