155 medical students at UT see their future

Residency program matches issued

3/18/2017
BY LAUREN LINDSTROM
BLADE STAFF WRITER
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    Joseph Perrault, with fiancee Amber Kooser, shows off his acceptance letter for anesthesiology at the University of Michigan Hospitals during the annual University of Toledo Match Day event at the Stranahan Theater in South Toledo.

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  • As the clock ticked toward noon, fourth-year medical students from the University of Toledo swarmed the tables at the front of the Stranahan Theater Great Hall and searched for the envelopes with their names on it.

    Friday was Match Day — a program when fourth-year medical students from all over the country learn which residency program they will enter. The 155 fourth-year medical students from UT’s college of medicine and life sciences matched with residency positions in 22 specialties.

    Amber Kooser burst into tears at the news her fiance Joseph Perrault would do his anesthesiology residency at the University of Michigan Hospitals in Ann Arbor.

    “I’m from Columbus, went to Ohio State, but I just loved Michigan’s program. It was my favorite by far,” Mr. Perrault said.

    VIDEO: Match Day for medical students at UT

    More students are staying local than previous years. Twenty-three will continue at the University of Toledo, up from nine last year; 65 will stay in Ohio and 14 matched with programs in Michigan. Popular specialties include internal medicine, pediatrics, and emergency medicine.

    Ryan Johnston is among those sticking around and will enter the emergency medicine residency program at the University of Toledo.

    “I brought my draft day hat,” he said, gesturing to the Toledo Rockets cap he wore. “Toledo was our No. 1 choice, so we’re happy to be here.”

    Mr. Johnston, who also completed his undergraduate education at UT, said he was drawn to the residency program in part because of the ability to do global health disaster relief as a resident, and because of UT’s academic affiliation with ProMedica. 

    He and his wife Paige said they planned to celebrate later in the day.

    “We do a giant Irish St. Patrick’s Day dinner with my friends every year so we’re going to keep the tradition alive,” he said.

    Olatoye Olutola is headed to Albany Medical Center in New York for a general surgery residency.

    “God answers prayers,” he said, unable to contain his laughter as he embraced family and friends. “I just prayed, I worked hard, I did my best, and I left the rest to God. This is just the beginning.”

    Katrina Weimer reported a few nerves before the announcement, but said her placement in the family medicine residency program at the University of Wisconsin school of medicine and public health was one of her top choices.

    “It’s been a very nerve-wracking couple months; it’s been a long process but I’m really happy,” she said. “I had a couple nightmares [last night] but I had some good dreams too about where I was going to match and it turned out to be true.”

    Dr. Christopher Cooper, dean of UT’s college of medicine and life sciences, addressed the students and their families before the matches were revealed.

    “We are so appreciative of our families who are here today,” he said. “Your sons and daughters have spent the last four years working harder than they thought they could work. What they have accomplished is really spectacular.”

    Contact Lauren Lindstrom at llindstrom@theblade.com, 419-724-6154, or on Twitter @lelindstrom.