Today@Sam Article

SHSU-COM Student Doctors Celebrate Residency Placements During 2025 Match Day

March 21, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

By Brittany Foreman

On Friday, March 21, student doctors from the Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) joined thousands of medical students nationwide in celebrating Match Day, a pivotal moment in their journey toward becoming practicing physicians. This annual event, held in conjunction with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), determines where graduating medical students will complete their residency training – the next phase of their medical education.

The SHSU-COM class of 2025 achieved remarkable success in this year’s match, with 99% of student doctors securing residency placements by Match Day. While most of the class unveiled their match results on Friday, several student doctors serving in the military received their assignments earlier through the military match and will train at military medical facilities across the country.

A key part of SHSU-COM’s mission is addressing Texas’s physician shortage, and improving healthcare access, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas. This year, over 55% of SHSU-COM’s fourth-year student doctors matched into residency programs within the state, reinforcing the college’s dedication to keeping skilled physicians in Texas communities. Additionally, over 56% of the class matched into primary care specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics, further supporting the college’s goal of expanding access to essential healthcare services.

SHSU-COM's student doctors are also filling gaps in mental healthcare, over 11% of the class of 2025 will be heading into psychiatry programs across the state and nation. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the U.S. is facing a shortage of over 12,000 fully trained psychiatrists, highlighting the critical role these student doctors will play in addressing this gap.

This year’s match results are a testament to not only the dedication and talent of SHSU-COM’s student doctors but the strength and reputation of the college’s medical education as well. Graduates secured placements at highly regarded residency programs, including Stanford Health Care, Baylor Scott & White, Texas Children’s and John Peter Smith Hospital, among others.

During her remarks at the ceremony, SHSU President Alisa White reflected on the incredible transformation she has witnessed in this class since their arrival in 2021.

“You are problem solvers, gap fillers, knowledge creators, hope givers. I just feel really proud of who you are, who you were when you got here, and who you’ve become since you’ve been here,” White said emphasizing the profound impact these new physicians will have, not only in their chosen specialties but also in the communities they will serve. ”Knowing that the United States has a huge health crisis that can only be fixed by you, I’m in awe of you, and I’m grateful for you.”

Thomas J. Mohr, D.O., dean of SHSU-COM, praised the graduating class for their hard work and perseverance and emphasized the growing trust that residency programs have in SHSU-COM graduates.

“Match Day is the culmination of years of dedication, resilience and passion for medicine. I am incredibly proud of the SHSU-COM class of 2025 and their commitment to serving patients across Texas and beyond. Many of the programs that accepted our student doctors this year also welcomed graduates from our inaugural class last year, reinforcing the confidence these programs have in our students’ education, preparation and ability to contribute from day one. Their continued success reflects the strength of our program and its mission to develop highly skilled, compassionate physicians who are ready to make a difference.”

For student doctor Lilia Milunovich, who matched into emergency medicine at Jefferson Health Northeast in Philadelphia, the journey to this moment was shaped by both mentorship and personal discovery. Her experience reflects the diverse paths SHSU-COM student doctors take as they find their calling in medicine.

“Coming into medical school, I actually thought I was going to do surgery, but during my emergency medicine rotation in my third year, I realized this was where I felt at home,” she said. “I love the fast pace, the problem-solving and the ability to help people in their most vulnerable moments.”

As the second graduating class of SHSU-COM, these student doctors have upheld a standard of excellence that has earned the college national acclaim. Their dedication and hard work have contributed to SHSU-COM achieving the highest first-time pass rate in the nation on the COMLEX-USA Level 1 board examination. Additionally, SHSU-COM was the first and only newly established osteopathic medical school to receive ‘Accreditation with Exceptional Outcomes’ from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) this past year, a testament to the strength of its medical education and training.

With a 95% match rate in the main match on March 17 and an overall 99% placement by Match Day, SHSU-COM continues to demonstrate its ability to prepare future physicians for success. The class of 2025’s match results not only reflect their dedication and talent but also underscore the growing recognition of SHSU-COM graduates as well-prepared, highly capable physicians. As these student doctors take their next steps into residency, they will carry forward the college’s mission of expanding healthcare access and making a meaningful impact on the patients they will serve.

Discover where the SHSU-COM class of 2025 is headed next. This video showcases all the residency placements where our graduates will continue their medical training.

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