By Saira Cabrera

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – MARCH 21, 2025 – UTRGV University Recreation’s basketball court was filled with anticipation, which quickly transformed into triumphant cheers as the basketball buzzer signaled the 50 medical students to open their Match Day boxes and learn their placements to medical residency programs.

The UTRGV School of Medicine’s Class of 2025 students took part in the monumental “Match Day Madness” on March 21 at the University Recreation on the Edinburg campus.

HONOR AND RESPONSIBILITY

“What an overwhelming feeling of gratitude,” said Hector Trejo, a Valley native who matched into internal medicine at Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance. “I am filled with an undeniable sense of honor and gained responsibility.”

This year’s Match Day - the sixth for the medical school - achieved a 100% match rate. To date, the UTRGV School of Medicine has had more than 200 successful matches since 2016, when the first class was welcomed to receive a medical degree in the Rio Grande Valley.

The celebration marks the culmination of four years of medical school and is one of the most important days for medical students as it determines where they are ‘matched’ for their specialized medical residency programs—the next step in their journey to becoming physicians.

A BIG DEAL

“Today is a big deal. Match Day is unlike any other in the life of a medical student; it means a step closer to becoming a physician,” said Dr. Michael B. Hocker, senior vice president for UT Health RGV and dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine.  

Nine of the students matching from the Class of 2025 will remain in the Rio Grande Valley; twenty-eight will leave the Valley but stay in Texas for their residencies; and 13 will be moving across the country.

Many of the UTRGV School of Medicine medical students look forward to practicing locally in programs sponsored by the university in partnership with area hospitals and clinics. 

“The past four years of medical school have shaped me in ways I didn't know I needed shaping. This journey has truly transformed me into a more passionate, skillful and cognizant person,” said Victoria Jacobsen, who matched in pediatrics at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, formerly Children's Hospital Oakland.

“I know that witnessing healthcare delivery in the Rio Grande Valley will be an invaluable experience for me in the future as I continue to work with underserved populations.”

The students staying in Texas matched to medical programs, including UTRGV, UT Health Science Center in San Antonio, Methodist Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, and UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Those leaving the Valley will settle in California, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee to continue their medical education. 

Among these, UTRGV medical students matched into 17 residency specialty programs, including family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, otolaryngology, orthopedic surgery, psychology and urology. 

Fourth-year medical student Shuaibahmed Arab expressed confidence in excelling during his upcoming residency, attributing his preparedness to his education at UTRGV.

“Every experience and opportunity provided by the UTRGV School of Medicine has made me the person I am today,” said Arab, who will be leaving for South Carolina to join a general surgery residency at Spartanburg Medical Center.  

“I feel confident in my abilities to continue into residency and perform exceptionally. Not only as a resident but also as a contributing member to my community.”

Over the six years of Match Day, students from the School of Medicine have been matched with prestigious institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Stanford University, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, among many others.

VERY PROUD

“Regardless of where our students matched today, locally or in another excellent residency program, they are incredibly talented and have already achieved so much,” Hocker said. “We are very proud of them for what they have achieved thus far and for what’s to come."

After matching with a residency program, students will begin their specialized training following graduation in May, stepping into their roles as practicing physicians.

“I will always remember the beautiful smiles that packed this basketball court today,” said Anthony Alanis, who will join the University of Texas Medical Branch for a radiation oncology residency. “A ‘Match Madness’ for the records.”