AZCOM Marks Milestone Match Day with Record 98.7% Placement Rate

On the morning of March 20th, 208 students from Midwestern University’s Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) joined thousands of their peers nationwide in the annual rite of passage known as Match Day. This year, however, the celebration carried extra weight: AZCOM celebrated its largest-ever residency match with a record 98.7% match rate.

A National Milestone

The success at the Glendale Campus comes during a historic year for osteopathic medical education. Nationally, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) reported a record-breaking 93.2% match rate for D.O. students, the highest in the profession's history.

As the U.S. faces a projected shortage of up to 137,000 physicians by 2037, D.O.s are increasingly filling the gap. AZCOM’s record-breaking match comes at a critical juncture. AACOM’s 2025 Osteopathic Medical Education Impact Report reveals that D.O.s now comprise 11% of all U.S. physicians, with a majority (56%) dedicated to primary care - the very sector facing the most acute shortages. By placing 98.7% of its graduates, AZCOM helping expand a workforce that is younger, more diverse, and more likely to serve in the rural and underserved areas that need them most.

Local Impact and Service

While AZCOM graduates are heading to top-tier programs across the country, a substantial portion of the class is staying close to home. Sixty-seven graduates (32%) matched with Arizona-based residency programs, directly addressing the state's critical need for healthcare professionals. This also bodes well for the future of Arizona healthcare, as historically over 40% of all MWU alumni remain in Arizona to practice.

The Class of 2026 also broke new ground with the first-ever AZCOM student matching to a Canadian residency program. Additionally, 14 students will begin their post-graduate training in military residencies, continuing the University’s long-standing tradition of preparing healthcare leaders for the armed forces.

AZCOM Matches by the Numbers

• Total matched students: 208 (98.7% placement)
• Arizona matches: 67
• Students remaining in Arizona: 31%
• Top specialties: Internal Medicine (66), Family Medicine (38), Emergency Medicine (26)
• Military matches: 14
• Top states: Arizona (67), California (44), Illinois (18), Pennsylvania (10), Florida (9), Michigan (9)

The D.O. Impact

• The Primary Care Powerhouse: 56% of D.O. alumni practice in primary care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics). An additional 25% practice in "peri-primary care" - specialties like OB/GYN and Psychiatry that directly support the primary care infrastructure.
• Filling the "Health Deserts": While the national average for all physicians practicing in rural areas is roughly 10%, D.O.s consistently outperform this metric, with 12% of D.O. graduates serving in rural areas, while 16% practice in Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs).
• Positive Demographics: 70% of D.O.s in active practice are now under the age of 45, making them the fastest-growing segment of the physician workforce. Women now make up more than 55% of all osteopathic medical students.

Source: AACOM 2025 Osteopathic Medical Education (OME) Impact Report