More Than a Match: MSU College of Human Medicine Students Prepare to Serve Communities Nationwide
March 23, 2026
In eight communities across the state, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine’s Class of 2026 gathered with family and friends to celebrate Match Day. The day marked an important next step in the journey of medicine. As fourth-year medical students tore envelopes open, they learned where they’ll start residency training this summer.
For many, Match Day is a mix of emotions from years of hard work in medical school, the excitement of what’s next, and the opportunity to reflect on experiences that guided them along the way.
The journey for Ann Arbor native Christopher Wilks was rooted in community. Joined by his parents and two brothers at the Flint Campus Match Day celebration, Wilks looked back on his time serving the community through the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved program. The experience underscored the “importance of bridges between medical professionals and the communities in which they practice.” Wilks will build on the strong foundation of resilience, patience and connection with patients as he begins a residency at Henry Ford Health in Detroit.
This year, 97% of MSU College of Human Medicine’s seniors secured residency placements. This includes students who participated in the NRMP Match, the NRMP Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP), and other residency placements, as well as advanced matches and the Military Match.
Match Day often carries extra weight as students pursue careers in medicine while navigating relationships with families and partners.
Medical students Jaynlynn Sosa and her partner Ross Schmiedeknecht have spent the past two years at different clinical campuses. Heading into residency, they applied for the Couples Match to maximize the chance they’ll end up in the same geographic location. They opened their envelopes together at the Grand Rapids Match Day celebration to learn they’ll be moving to Cincinnati together. Sosa will be specializing in pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Schmiedeknecht will specialize in internal medicine at University of Cincinnati.
The Match Day pressure was “double” for Jacob Charron and his wife Alexandra and their 18-month-old twin boys. Alexandra, a 2025 graduate of the College of Human Medicine, is finishing her first year of residency at Corewell Health West Diagnostic Radiology. Jacob opened his envelope at the Grand Rapids celebration while holding his two sons, surrounded by their extended family. The high school sweethearts from Allegan County learned their West Michigan roots will continue to hold firm as Jacob matched in family medicine at Trinity Health Muskegon.
The Charrons are not alone. This year, 58% of College of Human Medicine seniors will remain in the state for their residency training.
Paige Sims, a Detroit native who spent the last two years at the Southeast Michigan Campus, will continue to serve her community by matching in emergency medicine at Henry Ford St. Johns Hospital.
"My time at the College of Human Medicine strengthened my commitment to serving my community and helped me better understand how I want to show up in that role as a physician,” said Sims. “Through the people, experiences, and opportunities here, I grew into the kind of service-focused leader I will be. I leave with lifelong connections to a community that embodies service, leadership, and advocacy."
More than 39% of the College of Human Medicine’s graduating class matched into primary care residencies, helping to tackle the country’s growing shortage of primary care physicians.
This year’s top specialty placements were internal medicine (19.1%), family medicine (16.8%), emergency medicine (12.7%), psychiatry (9.2%), and surgery (7.5%).
"When I was choosing medical schools, the College of Human Medicine really stood out to me for two different reasons,” said Claire Lupini-Gohl who spent the last two years at the Midland Campus. “The first was the early clinical exposure, and the second was the ability to rotate through a wide variety of clinical experiences within the medical field.” Lupini-Gohl matched at University of Michigan in Psychiatry.
Match Day was also a time for connection between classmates and faculty. Although this chapter of medical school is coming to a close, the connections made will last forever.
Quynh Tran, a first-generation college student who matched at Henry Ford Health Detroit specializing in OB/GYN, lingered long after the envelopes were opened hugging her classmates and posing for pictures.
"My journey at the College of Human Medicine has taught me that I can't do this alone,” said Tran. “I am here because of all my role models, mentors, family, and friends who have lifted me up even when I believed the weight felt too heavy to carry.”
As she continues the journey, Tran said she will “forever practice and live with gratitude for the community” that has gotten her to this moment. “As I move forward in residency and into practice, I will continue to serve and listen to what my community needs," said Tran.
On May 9, the College of Human Medicine’s 173 graduating seniors will come together one last time to celebrate commencement at the Breslin Student Events Center.