March 17, 2025, marks Match Day – the annual event where medical residency applicants in the US learn if they’ve been accepted into further training. Just as I have done for the last 19 years, I spent this year’s match day eagerly waiting by the phone and checking my emails for contact from my trainees on their results.
Around 11am, I received a flurry of messages, reading, “Dr He, I matched!” Each message expressing joy and gratitude from six of my Chinese Medical Graduates, who all endured a long and arduous journey to secure a spot in American residency. Some graduated from medical school over 13 years ago – with the longest gap being 27 years – and though this was a first attempt for some, others faced painful setbacks along the way.
Nevertheless, they persevered and kept their dreams alive. During their short time training with me in New York, they had time to master skills such as grossing specimens, cutting, staining, and, particularly, freezing sections. In parallel, they engaged in repeated mock interviews – learning how to present themselves to interviewers and program directors, and highlight their unique strengths. After this intensive preparation, each trainee was adept at tackling tough questions regarding long gaps in education, lower USMLE scores, and previous match failures.
I often reminded my trainees, “even if there’s a one percent chance of getting a placement, give it your all with 100 percent of your effort.” I echoed the words of great American tennis champion Arthur Ashe, “Start where you are; use what you have; do what you can!” And now, these same students achieve their dreams – a triumphant moment!
That evening, I returned home to enjoy a large wine using a glass gifted from one of my trainees; one of the six successful in matching as a pathology resident this year. In my reflective nature, I was inspired to compose a verse in the style of traditional Chinese poetry (song dynasty Ci), which I hope brings joy to others in light of Match Day 2025.
Full Courtyard Fragrance: Random Thoughts
Nearly seventy, I dwell in Long Island, with frost gracing my temples.
My heart brims with emotions, and I scribble to ease my melancholy.
Once, like a leaf falling into water, I drifted without control,
Enduring the bitterness of autumn.
For over a decade, who could understand?
It brought me to the brink of life and death.
Oh, Hometown. Vague dreams, crooked jujube trees at the door,
Autumn winds and the fragrance of osmanthus.
Hand in hand, we weathered the hardships together.
Now I find peace in the fields, laboring with purpose.
The tea is light, but our love runs deep,
Our passion expressed with sincerity.
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