Arkansas’ first osteopathic medical school participated in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for the first time this spring. Of NYITCOM at A-State students who participated in the 2020 Match, 95% received placement into programs.
“I just couldn’t be any happier for our students,” said Shane Speights, DO, dean of NYITCOM at A-State. “It takes a special group of students to commit to being part of the inaugural class of a new medical school. These students trusted us to provide them with a top-notch medical education, and they dedicated themselves to working incredibly hard to make themselves quality candidates for residencies. I’m just so proud of every one of them.”
Of NYITCOM at A-State students who participated in the 2020 Match, 72% were placed into primary care programs, including 36 percent who matched into family medicine programs, 27 percent into internal medicine residencies, and another eight percent who will specialize in Pediatrics.
“Our country and especially our region are facing significant shortages in primary care physicians, so we’re pleased that so many of our students are pursuing those paths,” Speights said. “They have an opportunity to make a real difference.”
NYITCOM at A-State was established to train physicians to help alleviate the physician shortage in Arkansas and the Mississippi Delta region, which is one of the most medically-underserved areas of the country. Nearly half of those who participated in the Match received positions that will keep them in Arkansas or a Delta state.
“We’re pleased that many of our students landed positions in this state and region,” Speights said. “Before our doors opened, we spent significant resources to help create new residencies in Arkansas. Since 2015, 11 new programs have opened around the state, and our students matched into six of those programs. We’re committed to continuing to help grow graduate medical education in this state to provide even more opportunities for our students to stay here.”
“Today was a historic day for not only our college, but for healthcare in Arkansas,” Speights said. “It’s another successful step forward in our efforts as a college and of the collective efforts of our medical students to make a difference in areas where their service is most needed.”