Abhinav Pandey started his education at Weill Cornell Medical College with an open mind, mulling potential careers in emergency medicine or critical care. But during his general surgery rotation he met a resident who suggested that he instead consider neurosurgery. The thought stuck with Pandey, who had previously worked in neurosurgeon Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield’s lab. He took an elective in the specialty and discovered a love for it.
Abhinav Pandey, center, celebrates his match to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for neurosurgery with his parents.
Pandey is now one of three fourth-year medical students to garner residencies in neurosurgery, heading to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where he will reunite with his partner, who matched there a year ago.
“Neurosurgery is not an easy match; leading up to this day I wondered whether or not I could even get into the program— it’s really competitive—whether I was even going to match in neurosurgery,” he said. “Now here we are: my family is with me, one of my best friends is here, my girlfriend is here, and it’s all set now. It’s an incredible feeling.”
Pandey and his fellow classmates in the Class of 2025 learned on Match Day, March 21, where they will be doing their internship and residency training—setting the stage for the next several years of their medical careers and lives.
Match results this year were revealed simultaneously at noon Eastern time to medical students nationwide. Nearly 47,200 graduating allopathic, international and osteopathic medical students from across the country (and Americans studying abroad) competed for 43,237 residency positions, the most ever offered, according to the National Resident Matching Program.
An annual rite of passage, the students gathered at a ceremony on the Starr Foundation-Maurice R. Greenberg Conference Center Terrace of the Belfer Research Building to open their envelopes. Loud cheers and applause rang out, as the Class of 2025 celebrated their achievements and shared in the excitement with fellow classmates, Weill Cornell faculty, family and friends.
Match Day is the culmination of all of the students’ hard work and determination, said Dr. Robert A. Harrington, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine and provost for medical affairs of Cornell University.
Elizabeth Fashakin, left, rejoices in her match to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center for interventional radiology. Fashakin chose to study medicine at Weill Cornell because she wanted to have access to research, service, global health and supportive faculty.
“While we can never predict the future, one thing I can tell you with certainty is that you're ready,” he said. “You're ready to be interns, ready to go on to that next level of medical training, because you're well-prepared. You’ve been well-prepared by the faculty, staff, residents, fellows and students who have given you their help. What you have learned is that you are part of a team.”
Of the 98 Weill Cornell Medical College students graduating in May, 96 garnered residencies, with 86% of them matching to top postgraduate residency specialty programs. Fifty students are remaining in metropolitan New York, 24 matched to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and another six students to other NewYork-Presbyterian campuses. And 31 students will pursue primary care residencies in internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology.
“It has been a pleasure getting to know the Class of 2025 over the past academic year,” said Dr. Michael Stewart, interim senior associate dean for education and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. “You have shown an unwavering commitment to learning the art and science of medicine and to serving your patients. I know you will make great contributions to the medical community.”
As the Class of 2025 embarks on the next step in their medical careers, they will remain connected as Weill Cornell graduates, noted Dr. Anthony Rossi, Jr. (M.D. '08), president of the Weill Cornell Medical College Alumni Association. “You will soon be joining our extraordinary network of alumni who are distinguished physicians and physician-scientists who serve their communities and profession with distinction.”
Daniella De Freitas had been working as a nurse when something clicked. She was in the intensive care unit and had the opportunity to observe a lung transplant. “I was so inspired. I loved being in the operating room—it was beautiful to see the trust in the surgeon,” she said. “He was helping give this patient the chance to breathe on her own and live the rest of her life.” She quickly realized that with her love of medicine and commitment to her patients, she chose to pursue medical school.
Daniella De Freitas, center, learns of her residency match with her boyfriend, left.
“Weill Cornell has been so supportive—doors have opened for me to pursue whatever I was excited about,” said De Freitas, who matched in general surgery at University of Miami/Jackson Health. “It's such a privilege to take everything I have learned here and start my career as a surgeon.”
For Rachael Han, improving patients’ access to medical care has been a key driver of her medical pursuits. Now on the precipice of graduating with her medical degree, Han is one step closer to realizing her passion by matching to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center for a residency in psychiatry—her first choice.
“I’ve always had a passion for medicine, understanding what it’s like to not have access to it,” she said. “And now as a psychiatrist I really hope to continue that thread and help those who don’t have access to mental health care. I think access to medicine is a human right; it’s what we all deserve. For me to be a part of that is such an honor, and to do that at Weill Cornell, my favorite home institution, I’m so excited.”