Medical Students Celebrate Match Day Amid Rising Physician Demand

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Medical students across the United States united in celebration on March 21 for Match Day, an annual event where they learn where they will pursue their residencies. The 2025 event marked the largest turnout in the history of the Match, with over 52,000 participants nationwide.

At the University of Minnesota, 217 graduates matched with residency programs, with more than 45% remaining in the state. The three most popular specialties among those students included internal medicine, family medicine, and emergency medicine. Notably, over 51% of the university’s students matched in primary care fields, addressing a critical demand for these practitioners.

Michael Kelly, a graduate from Duluth, expressed his excitement after being matched with a residency in family medicine at Mayo Clinic. Reflecting on his journey, Kelly cited his challenging upbringing in foster care and housing instability as catalysts for pursuing a career in medicine. “I kind of made a commitment to myself that one day I would be that person to others,” he said.

The Association of American Medical Colleges anticipates a shortage of 20,000 to 40,000 primary care physicians by 2036, complicating the landscape further as many physicians retire in the coming decade. Dr. Shannon Neale, a board member of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, noted the acute need for physicians in rural areas, stating, “I hear from colleagues all over the state how they’re trying to hire physicians and they’re not able to.”

Match Week also revealed more enticing data; as of Monday prior to Match Day, over 800 family medicine residency slots nationwide were unfilled, although that number was expected to decrease by Friday. As Neale indicated, however, Minnesota saw better outcomes than surrounding states, with all family medicine residency slots filled by the conclusion of the Match.

Kelly, along with many of his peers, embraces the role of family physicians as integral to community health. “We’re usually the first stop along the health care road for folks,” he said, expressing hope to contribute significantly in rural settings where medical care is often scarce.

Medical schools have tailored programs, such as the University of Minnesota’s Rural Physicians Associates Program, to prepare students for careers in underserved communities. This effort aims to stabilize the primary care workforce in Minnesota and combat overall declining interest in family medicine nationwide.

The importance of Match Day extends beyond personal milestones; it underscores the collaboration, hopes, and aspirations of a new generation of physicians eager to address the national healthcare crisis through dedication to service and community engagement.

As students from the University of Minnesota celebrated their achievements, they join thousands nationwide ready to embark on the next steps in their medical careers, armed with commitment and a vision for a healthier future.