Friday, March 20, will forever be the date the Class of 2026 medical students across the U.S. learned where they matched for residency, including the medical students making up the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) Class of 2026 at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM). Ninety-seven percent of the class – 254 of 263 – matched into residency as part of the National Resident Matching Program, better known as Match Day.
Before the class and guests would learn about the next steps of their physician journey, speakers would try to calm nerves and level expectations, including Susan Enright, D.O., FACOI, associate dean of Clerkship Education for MSUCOM, who reminded them of the journey to get to this moment, and no matter where they would match, the incredible impact they would have on others.
MSUCOM Dean Joyce deJong, D.O., also reminded the group of all the work they had completed already and the accomplishments along the way before instructing the group of future physicians to open their envelopes. And with family, friends and MSUCOM faculty and staff, at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi, rips were heard across the room.
In a moment, music began and cheers and tears were heard as the class learned their future.
The majority of the MSUCOM D.O. Class of 2026 – 72% will remain in Michigan for residency. Where a physician does residency is a good indicator of where the physician will remain for their career.
“Our students have worked diligently to get here to this moment, and we are incredibly proud of each one of them,” Dean deJong said. “Getting to Match Day and graduation requires an extraordinary dedication and work, both learning to care for patients and participating in programs with our faculty team, community physicians and mentors caring for people throughout our state while they are in medical school.
“Now, they know where they will go next, following graduation, to serve people and communities, both here in Michigan and beyond.”
For Shadman Kazi, MSUCOM Class of 2026, who matched in anesthesiology at Henry Ford Health St. John, Detroit, Mich., the day was the next step to where he can do good. “I’m so excited to start residency and become a good doctor,” he said.
And classmate Josh Baker, Ph.D., who is a member of the MSUCOM D.O.-Ph.D. Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), earning both a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and a Ph.D. in neuroscience, matched in radiology at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich. “I did two rotations there and it was an amazing teaching hospital,” Baker said, smiling, after learning of his match.
The class of 263 students matched for residency in 29 specialties, including anesthesiology, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), pathology, neurology and child neurology, and family medicine, among others. Of those matching in the MSUCOM D.O. Class of 2026, 39% matched into primary care at a time when it is a much-needed area of practice in Michigan and across the nation.
The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine has historically helped the state fill its need for primary care physicians practicing in these critically needed primary care specialties, including Family Practice, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine and OB/GYN. And has an average of 70% of its classes matching into residency in Michigan each year.
Of this year’s class, 44% – 112 physicians – will do residency within the college’s Graduate Medical Education Alliance – MSUCOM’s postgraduate medical education arm of 28 hospitals and six federally qualified health centers, providing educational programs and opportunities for pre-doctoral through postdoctoral interns, residents and fellows.
Megan Russ, a Class of 2026 D.O.-Ph.D. MSTP student, said she felt relieved following learning of her match into emergency medicine at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, Lansing, Mich., where her research will take a mostly clinical focus. “(Research) will be more researching determinants of health,” and taking that to clinical work, she added.
And Evan Schumacher, president of the MSUCOM D.O. Class of 2026, will see his journey continue in a general surgery residency at Henry Ford Health, Macomb, Mich., and is excited for the future at a hospital he spent a great deal of time working with patients.
“I’m relieved, excited, nervous and committed to the future,” he said.
The 2026 Match at MSUCOM included a 100% match of the college’s D.O.-Ph.D. MSTP students, as well as a 100% match of the military students, matching into residency training positions through the military. MSUCOM also had a 100% match of couples who participated and 86% of international students during Match Day.
The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine will celebrate commencement for the Class of 2026 on April 30 at MSU’s Breslin Center.
By Terri Hughes-Lazzell
Friday, March 20, will forever be the date the Class of 2026 medical students across the U.S. learned where they matched for residency, including the medical students making up the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) Class of 2026 at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM). Ninety-seven percent of the class – 254 of 263 – matched into residency as part of the National Resident Matching Program, better known as Match Day.
Before the class and guests would learn about the next steps of their physician journey, speakers would try to calm nerves and level expectations, including Susan Enright, D.O., FACOI, associate dean of Clerkship Education for MSUCOM, who reminded them of the journey to get to this moment, and no matter where they would match, the incredible impact they would have on others.
MSUCOM Dean Joyce deJong, D.O., also reminded the group of all the work they had completed already and the accomplishments along the way before instructing the group of future physicians to open their envelopes. And with family, friends and MSUCOM faculty and staff, at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi, rips were heard across the room.
In a moment, music began and cheers and tears were heard as the class learned their future.
The majority of the MSUCOM D.O. Class of 2026 – 72% will remain in Michigan for residency. Where a physician does residency is a good indicator of where the physician will remain for their career.
“Our students have worked diligently to get here to this moment, and we are incredibly proud of each one of them,” Dean deJong said. “Getting to Match Day and graduation requires an extraordinary dedication and work, both learning to care for patients and participating in programs with our faculty team, community physicians and mentors caring for people throughout our state while they are in medical school.
“Now, they know where they will go next, following graduation, to serve people and communities, both here in Michigan and beyond.”
For Shadman Kazi, MSUCOM Class of 2026, who matched in anesthesiology at Henry Ford Health St. John, Detroit, Mich., the day was the next step to where he can do good. “I’m so excited to start residency and become a good doctor,” he said.
And classmate Josh Baker, Ph.D., who is a member of the MSUCOM D.O.-Ph.D. Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), earning both a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and a Ph.D. in neuroscience, matched in radiology at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich. “I did two rotations there and it was an amazing teaching hospital,” Baker said, smiling, after learning of his match.
The class of 263 students matched for residency in 29 specialties, including anesthesiology, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), pathology, neurology and child neurology, and family medicine, among others. Of those matching in the MSUCOM D.O. Class of 2026, 39% matched into primary care at a time when it is a much-needed area of practice in Michigan and across the nation.
The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine has historically helped the state fill its need for primary care physicians practicing in these critically needed primary care specialties, including Family Practice, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine and OB/GYN. And has an average of 70% of its classes matching into residency in Michigan each year.
Of this year’s class, 44% – 112 physicians – will do residency within the college’s Graduate Medical Education Alliance – MSUCOM’s postgraduate medical education arm of 28 hospitals and six federally qualified health centers, providing educational programs and opportunities for pre-doctoral through postdoctoral interns, residents and fellows.
Megan Russ, a Class of 2026 D.O.-Ph.D. MSTP student, said she felt relieved following learning of her match into emergency medicine at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, Lansing, Mich., where her research will take a mostly clinical focus. “(Research) will be more researching determinants of health,” and taking that to clinical work, she added.
And Evan Schumacher, president of the MSUCOM D.O. Class of 2026, will see his journey continue in a general surgery residency at Henry Ford Health, Macomb, Mich., and is excited for the future at a hospital he spent a great deal of time working with patients.
“I’m relieved, excited, nervous and committed to the future,” he said.
The 2026 Match at MSUCOM included a 100% match of the college’s D.O.-Ph.D. MSTP students, as well as a 100% match of the military students, matching into residency training positions through the military. MSUCOM also had a 100% match of couples who participated and 86% of international students during Match Day.
The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine will celebrate commencement for the Class of 2026 on April 30 at MSU’s Breslin Center.
By Terri Hughes-Lazzell