'Amazing!'

One hundred twenty-one members of the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Class of 2026 now know where they will begin clinical training following an “inspiring” Match Day Friday.  

The fourth-year medical students participated in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), the annual event that reveals where most graduating medical students will begin residency training. About 44,000 medical students from across the U.S. were offered residency positions in more than 6,800 programs across the U.S., according to the NRMP.

The future physicians from OUWB celebrated the moment at noon at Oakland University’s Oakland Center, where they collectively learned they are headed to 23 states across the country.

That includes 51 (42%) who will complete their residency training in Michigan. Seventeen are headed to residency programs throughout the Corewell Health system in Michigan.

Others matched at places like Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Stanford Health Care, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, University of Michigan Hospitals, and University of California Irvine Medical Center. The match rate for the class was 98%. (See Match Day results here.)

Christopher Carpenter, M.D., Stephan Sharf Dean, OUWB, called the results “inspiring.”

“To see our students reach the finish line after all of their hard work and sacrifice is inspiring,” he said. “Their matches truly represent their commitment to excellence, service, and everything else that represents OUWB. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Giuliano Romano matched in internal medicine at University of Michigan Hospitals in Ann Arbor. He was among many students who celebrated with tears of joy in their eyes.

“I just matched at my number one program with one of my best friends and I’m just super grateful for the opportunity,” he said. “I’m the first in my family to be a physician, I know they’re very proud of me, and I’m very blessed to have their support…I do it all for them.”

‘Matches are outstanding’

The match process begins in the fall during the final year of medical school when fourth-year medical students apply to residency programs. Residency programs interview applicants throughout fall and early winter.

From mid-January to late February, applicants and residency program directors separately rank each other in order of preference and submit the preference lists to NRMP, which processes them using a computerized mathematical algorithm to match applicants with programs.

At noon on the fourth Friday of March, medical students across the country are able to tear open their envelopes and find out where they matched.

Carpenter told students it was “the moment you’ve been waiting for for so long.”

 “I have no doubt it will be one of the most memorable days of your lives,” he said. “Ask any physician and they’ll say they remember Match Day vividly.”

He also urged students to think about the positive impacts they will have on medicine.

“It’s not necessary about the program, it’s about what you will bring to the program and how you find your way and make your mark,” he said. “Think of this moment as a fresh start down another road of fulfilling your dreams to become a doctor.”

For 2026, the top five states where OUWB students matched, in order, were Michigan, California, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio. 

Students matched in a total of 21 specialties. Forty-three percent matched in primary care while the top non-primary care specialties were anesthesiology, emergency medicine, neurology, psychiatry, and orthopaedic surgery.

Alise Haddad matched in pediatrics at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital. 

“I am so happy (to be) staying local in Michigan and getting this amazing opportunity to fulfill (my) dreams,” said Haddad. "We couldn't be more grateful to Oakland University, OUWB, and all the support we've had along the way."

Berkley Browne-Holtz, Ph.D., associate dean, Student Affairs, called it an “incredible” day.

“Their matches are outstanding,” she said. “From the moment this class got here they’ve supported each other and had an attitude of, ‘there’s a way for us all to win and all of us to be successful.’”

“Today, that all pays off,” she added. 

Matthew Helou and Wesam Almasri celebrate after learning where they matched.

‘It’s just amazing’

Joseph Solomon and Kaitlyn Paez successfully matched as a couple at University of Michigan Hospitals in Ann Arbor. (Paez in pediatrics and Solomon in physical medicine and rehabilitation.) The couple plans to wed in May. 

“I’m just overwhelmed with emotion,” said Solomon. “We’re so excited to be at the beginning of this journey together and couldn’t be more happy and proud of each other.”

Paez called it a “relief.”

“It’s such a relief that we’re going to be together at the same institution and start our lives and grow together,” she said. “It’s just amazing and I can’t wait.”

Sahana Shankar matched into internal medicine at Zucker School of Medicine, Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital.

“I thought I was dreaming,” she said. “I have never been so excited in my life, and to see this on paper was a dream come true.”

Lindsay Gallagher matched into internal medicine at the University of Michigan Hospitals in Ann Arbor and also had tears of joy in her eyes. She said she was “so excited to see that my friend is going to be my co-resident."

Derrik Nghiem matched into diagnostic radiology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, and said it “felt great .. I’m so happy to go back home.” 

Maame Obeng matched in general surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati.

“It feels great, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “It’s been a lot of anticipation and to see I matched at my number one choice … I have no words.”