Title: Insights from My First Match Day as a Program Director: Humility, Hope, and the Future of Medicine

Match Day is a defining moment in the journey of every medical student—a culmination of dedication, sacrifice, and ambition. However, for a newly appointed residency program director, Match Day holds a uniquely profound meaning.

For Dr. Ryan McCarthy, an internal medicine physician and the first program director at Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia, this year’s Match Day transcended a mere milestone—it was a deeply personal, emotional, and transformative experience.

The Moment of Revelation

In a powerfully poignant reflection, Dr. McCarthy shares the exact moment the Match Day results arrived—two minutes earlier than anticipated. This seemingly minor detail became monumental in the rich narrative of raw human emotion he encountered. His response—featuring shaky fingers, blurred bifocals, and a fleeting vagal episode—captures the intensity of a pivotal moment that will influence the future of a medical residency program.

Many program directors brace for such stress, particularly when the results are uncertain. Would the new internal medicine program at Berkeley Medical Center draw in any residents? Would candidates be willing to choose an untested facility located in a rural area? These were the concerns that plagued Dr. McCarthy in the days and restless nights leading up to Match Day, which were filled with last-minute curriculum adjustments and panic-driven midnight snacks.

Embodying the American Ethos in Medicine

Beneath the surface of anxiety lies something even more profound—hope, along with a renewed belief in the values of diversity, determination, and collective purpose.

The inaugural internal medicine residency class features six individuals from diverse backgrounds that embody strength and resilience:

– An earthquake survivor hailing from Nepal,
– A new mother who is balancing her medical aspirations with parental obligations,
– A West Virginian eager to return home after medical training overseas,
– A seasoned former nurse embarking on a new chapter as a resident,
– A compassionate Ethiopian whose demeanor has elicited affectionate nicknames,
– And a brilliant Pakistani woman who overcame societal obstacles to pursue medicine in the U.S.

Together, they represent more than just names on a match list. They embody stories of bravery, purpose, and optimism. Their experiences reinforce an often-overlooked truth: immigration, motherhood, economic challenges, and overcoming adversity do not diminish a physician’s potential—they enhance it.

Constructing a Program from the Ground Up: Challenges and Victories

Launching a new program at Berkeley Medical Center’s internal medicine residency required substantial effort and dedication. For Dr. McCarthy and his team, it involved countless sleepless nights, moments of self-doubt, and a grueling recruitment season spent carefully reviewing personal statements and transcripts with the same reverence typically reserved for poetry and sacred texts.

In the midst of this intensity—perhaps because of it—Dr. McCarthy discovered inspiration. The intentional effort to build a program filled with compassion, inclusion, and excellence had always been the aim, but witnessing it come to life with the matched residents made the dream tangible for the first time.

A New Model of Medicine: Beyond Skills

While clinical expertise—such as dosing vancomycin or interpreting lab results—is crucial in internal medicine, Dr. McCarthy’s reflections urge us to contemplate what exists beyond mere technical skills. He discusses another form of “goodness” in medicine: a deep humanity characterized by humility, kindness, and empathy.

This might be the most valuable lesson of all. Achieving medical excellence, as Dr. McCarthy suggests, encompasses more than rote memorization of pathophysiology or adherence to guideline-based protocols. It’s about being present. It’s about forging human connections. It’s about perceiving patients not as issues, but as individuals—and regarding fellow physicians not as rivals, but as partners in the service of wellness.

The Heart of Rural America and the Essence of Medicine

In West Virginia, where health inequalities are prevalent and access to care often remains limited, the introduction of this new group of residents signifies more than mere growth—it heralds transformation. Caring for communities starts with equitable training, diverse representation, and a commitment to embrace individuals from all walks of life.

Dr. McCarthy’s Match Day reflection highlights the deeper significance of this annual event. It serves not just as a waypoint in the medical training journey—it is a proclamation of shared faith in the future.

Embracing a Future of Abundant Mentorship

As he notes, being a “holder of wisdom” can feel overwhelming at times—but it also carries a weight of responsibility. The type of abundance Dr. McCarthy refers to isn’t fiscal; it’s spiritual, intellectual, and emotional. It aims to foster the next generation of physicians by providing not only knowledge, but also trust, openness, and mentorship.

Viewed through this prism, his narrative extends beyond the six residents who matched to a new program. It encompasses every resident, every program, and every mentor who dares to hold onto the belief that medicine still deserves our loftiest ideals.

A Call to Collective