Future revealed to MU medical students

Medical students in Columbia and around the country opened residency letters on Friday and found out where they’ll be spending the next few years.

After years of studying and stress, a group of around 100 MU med students gathered to open the envelopes that revealed their futures.

“I’m really excited because I matched into UT the Southwestern plastic surgery program today,” Abby Warren said.

MU School of Medicine students found out where they’ll be spending their residency years on Match Day. It’s a long process that started more than a year ago. Students have a list of favorites, but no guarantee that they’ll be matched.

“To come to the end of it and for both of us to have an outcome that we’re both together — I don’t think we could have asked for anything more,” Woody Smelser said of his match and that of his wife, Katie Smelser.

Woody and Katie married while in med school, and like most furter doctors, they’re moving to an urban area for residency. However, a handful of students choose the less traveled path: practicing medicine in a rural setting, which administrators said is needed.

“A lot of physicians, a lot of health care is delivered in the urban setting, especially the suburban setting, and so, we have a real shortage of who want’s to work in rural settings,” said Dr. Rachel Brown, associate dean of student programs for the MU School of Medicine.

The School of Medicine pre-admits 15 students from rural areas out of the 104 available slots with the idea that those students will move back to rural areas after graduation. Administrators said that because of the program more graduates are living and practicing in rural parts of Missouri.

Almost all of the MU graduates were matched Friday with a residency program. Around 30 percent will stay at Mizzou for their training.