Military Match Celebrates Connection of Medical Students to Residencies

 Midwestern University medical students who also serve in the military received their residency matches for military healthcare practice. The matches via the Army, Navy, and Air Force were celebrated at a dinner with about 24 students in attendance on the Downers Grove Campus.

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine student Ryan Welch (CCOM ’24), Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, matched into a transitional year at Madigan Army Medical Center, near Tacoma, WA. “Aside from improving my medical skills and knowledge, I truly look forward to exploring and hiking in the Pacific Northwest,” Ryan said. Ryan is one of eight matches of CCOM students in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The residency matches include internal medicine at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI; internal medicine at Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD; pediatrics at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA; transitional year at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Portsmouth, VA; surgery at William Beaumont in Royal Oak, MI; and two matches of radiology and surgery at Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, CA. 

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine student Mandy Weaver (CCOM ’26), Second Lieutenant in the Air Force, president of the Midwestern University chapter of the Student Association of Military Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS), said, “My main goals have been to help each other navigate the military aspects of our time as students and nurture our campus military community, so we have lasting connections with one another even after graduation.” 

Mandy reflected on the military match event, “This year at the match dinner, I was giving advice to some of the other military students and getting to know them a little better. I am excited to be entering military medicine with them.” Mandy added, “The military match is very important for us because we get to join the military years earlier if we do a military residency than if we do a civilian residency. Although the time spent in residency does not count toward our required service for the scholarship, it does count toward our years to military retirement.” She looks forward to entering the match process further along in her academic career. SAMOPS offers support and camaraderie for military students to develop and build their campus community.

Mandy also shared a personal story of how her family history tied into her decision to join the Air Force. “My grandfather joined the US Navy when there was a base in Manila, Philippines, and the military brought my grandmother here in recognition of his efforts. My grandmother wanted to be a doctor, but she never did because she couldn’t afford medical school. I had a lot of opportunities available to me because I grew up here in the United States, and that includes my education and ability to go to medical school with the Health Professionals Scholarship Program (HPSP scholarship). I am very grateful for what the military has done for me and for my family, and I am happy to be able to use my medical education for them.”

Supporting military healthcare students with their residencies via the Military Match Dinner is one of the ways Midwestern University contributes to the future careers of their students. The University offers Doctor of Osteopathic medicine degrees in Downers Grove and Glendale.