96 students at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota joined more than 40,000 medical students nationwide as they opened envelopes on Friday, March 20, at 11 a.m. CDT to learn their residency training placements through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

Match Day marks one of the most meaningful milestones in the journey to becoming a physician. At precisely the same moment, surrounded by classmates, family and mentors, students open their envelopes to view their results and discover the next chapter of their medical careers.

"When the time came to choose a medical school, Mayo stood out because it aligned strongly with the kind of physician I hoped to become," says Ryan May, a Florida medical student. "Looking back now as a graduating student, that decision proved to be the right one. Mayo provided not only outstanding clinical training and mentorship but also a community that challenged me to grow both professionally and personally. The environment of collaboration, humility and commitment to excellence has profoundly shaped the physician I am becoming."

"Match Day is not a finish line. It is a transition," says Nneka I. Comfere, M.D., Waugh Executive Dean of Education and dean, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, at the ceremony. "With your match, you are one step closer to the career you have imagined. Soon, however, you begin something deeper — the responsibility and purpose of becoming a physician-leader."

While the moment itself is brief, the significance of Match Day reflects years of dedication, perseverance and growth. During medical school, students immerse themselves in the science of medicine, learning clinical skills and developing the professional values that define compassionate, patient-centered care. Match Day represents the evolution from medical student to physician-in-training.

"The opportunity to grow within this type of environment has been one of the greatest privileges of my training career," says M.D.-Ph.D. student Kit Knier. "Mayo Clinic’s strength comes from its people and their integrity, dedication, and shared commitment to care. That's what makes this place truly extraordinary."

Many Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students who matched today will continue their journeys across the country, while others will stay at Mayo Clinic for their residency training.

That training that follows Match Day is a critical phase of physician development. Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education remains one of the nation's largest graduate medical education institutions, with more than 1,900 physicians in training. Over the years, it has educated approximately half of Mayo Clinic’s current physician workforce. In 2026, all of the school's 66 residency programs across Arizona, Florida, Minnesota and Wisconsin participated in the NRMP, offering 379 residency positions to medical students across the country.

"Training here has shown me what truly coordinated, patient-centered care looks like and set a high bar for how I hope to practice medicine moving forward," says Emma Willcocks, an Arizona medical student. "I've had the best possible experience at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and truly wouldn't trade it for anything."

For Mayo Clinic, Match Day is also a moment of pride and reflection. It highlights the collective work of faculty, staff and mentors who have supported students throughout their training. Behind every match result is a community that has invested in teaching, guidance and mentorship to help prepare the next generation of physicians.

Perhaps most importantly, Match Day is not a finish line but a new beginning.

"Today celebrates your achievement. Tomorrow begins your growth. You matched. Now you begin," concludes Dr. Comfere.

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About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine 
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is preparing the next generation of physician leaders through excellence in education and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. As part of the integrated Mayo Clinic enterprise, the school delivers a learner-centered curriculum grounded in strong scientific foundations, ethical practice and real-world clinical experience. Small class sizes, a 3:1 faculty-to-student ratio and a national multi-campus model foster close mentorship with world-renowned physicians and scientists. Graduates are equipped to deliver high-value, evidence-based care while leading improvements in compassionate healthcare delivery and scientific discovery.

About Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education  
Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (MCSGME) is shaping the future of healthcare by inspiring and preparing the next generation of physician leaders to transform patient care at Mayo Clinic and around the world. MCSGME advances graduate medical education through innovative, personalized and technology-enabled training that accelerates readiness for practice and leadership. With more than 2,000 trainees across 380 residency and fellowship programs spanning Mayo Clinic's Minnesota, Florida and Arizona campuses and Mayo Clinic Health System, MCSGME builds on a legacy of developing physicians who have transformed healthcare since 1915.

About Mayo Clinic 
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news. 

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