Chimsom Orakwue imagined life as a health care provider for so long as he can keep in mind. It’s the thread that related her childhood from highschool to school and, 4 years in the past, to Weill Cornell Drugs.
Now a graduating medical pupil, Orakwue on March 17 reached a milestone that introduced her ever nearer to reaching her aim: studying the place she would full her residency coaching. Unsealing an envelope that contained that information, she learn with disbelief that she matched to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Middle for inner drugs, her best choice.
“I feel it is beginning to lastly hit me, that all of us reached this milestone collectively,” mentioned Orakwue, 27, of Houston, who served as president of Weill Cornell Drugs’s Pupil Nationwide Medical Affiliation chapter. “I am actually going to be a health care provider. The time has come. It is right here. It is surreal to me.”

Weill Cornell Drugs college students rejoice their matches. All pictures: Studio Brooke
Click on the photograph to view the complete Match Day Flickr gallery
Orakuwe and her fellow classmates within the Weill Cornell Medical School Class of 2023 discovered on nationwide Match Day the place they are going to be doing their internship and residency coaching — setting the stage for the following a number of years of their medical careers and lives.
Match outcomes this 12 months have been revealed concurrently at midday to medical college students nationwide. Greater than 48,000 graduating allopathic, worldwide and osteopathic medical college students from throughout the nation (and People learning overseas) competed for some 40,000 residency positions — probably the most ever supplied, based on the Nationwide Resident Matching Program.
Weill Cornell Drugs’s Class of 2023 gathered to open their match envelopes, an annual ceremony of passage, at a ceremony on the Starr Basis-Maurice R. Greenberg Convention Middle Terrace of the Belfer Analysis Constructing. College students celebrated their achievements and shared their pleasure with fellow classmates, household and pals.

Dr. Francis Lee, interim dean of Weill Cornell Drugs, addressed the Class of 2023 on March 17.
Dr. Francis Lee, interim dean of Weill Cornell Drugs, addressed the category and highlighted the day’s significance, noting that the envelopes maintain “the maps to significant, consequential careers,” as the scholars advance to the following stage of their medical coaching.
“Our society wants you in methods you might not have imagined but,” he mentioned. “As soon as opened, these envelopes will affirm for all of us that you’re going the place you might be wanted most.”
Of the 102 college students in Weill Cornell Medical School’s graduating class who entered the match, 88 matched to prime postgraduate residency specialty applications. Forty-five college students are remaining in metropolitan New York, with 24 college students matched to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Middle and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia College Irving Medical Middle. And 38 college students will pursue major care residencies in inner drugs, pediatrics, household drugs, or obstetrics and gynecology.
Dr. Yoon Kang, senior affiliate dean for training, recommended the scholars for his or her enduring dedication to well being care throughout a world pandemic that formed a lot of their medical coaching.
“Your means to adapt and study in a world the place affected person care was evolving to fulfill extraordinary challenges has been actually spectacular,” she mentioned. “You have been resilient, and by no means as soon as wavered in your dedication to compassionate care.”

Kristina Navrazhina (second from left), Andrew Griswold (second from proper) and Maria Passarelli (proper) celebrating their matches with Drs. Francis Lee and Yoon Kang throughout Match Day.
Tahj Blow, 29, of Brooklyn, mentioned he is thrilled to be headed for his first alternative: Emory College of Drugs for a mixed inner drugs and psychiatry program. He credit his pals, notably the ladies in his life, for serving to him obtain this achievement.
“It is wonderful, that is the place I need to be. I’ve lots of household in Atlanta, and I’ve pals coming with me,” he mentioned. “To be right here, all collectively now, that is necessary as properly. So, right now’s a extremely nice day.”
Now, because the Class of 2023 prepares to scatter throughout the nation to pursue their medical aspirations, they’ll stay related by the huge and distinguished neighborhood of Weill Cornell graduates. “Irrespective of the place your journey takes you, you’ll at all times be part of the Weill Cornell Drugs household,” mentioned Dr. Kathleen Foley, president of the Weill Cornell Medical School Alumni Affiliation.
For Rachel Abramson, Match Day represents a homecoming. A Seattle, Washington native, she can be going to the College of Washington for inner drugs—her best choice. She instantly shared the information together with her members of the family again residence, who have been overjoyed.
“I am beginning to tear up a bit of bit simply eager about every little thing that got here up thus far,” she mentioned. “It may be one other three years of robust work, however I am glad I will be with my household and have that help community, and I am so grateful to Weill Cornell Drugs.”