Thomas Wickham, DO ‘20
Where did you match?
I matched in Family Medicine at UMass Fitchburg.
What factors went into selecting your residency choices?
I created a wish list for an ideal residency program including an unopposed program with a community health focus, robust osteopathic curriculum, and patient continuity across inpatient and outpatient care. After every interview, I journaled about the culture I experienced and the pros and cons of a program. During ranking, other factors such as geography and how I felt about each program on interview day also became important. By February, it was very apparent nothing felt quite like home as UMass Fitchburg.
What drew you towards your particular specialty?
I have always known I wanted to be a Family Medicine physician. I value the variety of pathology across all ages and with my public health background, I am particularly interested in preventative medicine. While on rotation in Family Medicine, it was so gratifying to see a couple one day and their children the next. I saw patients on the floors I had met in the clinic, including several I helped encourage to report to the ER. I am excited by these continuous relationships in which I get to work with patients and their families on long-term health outcomes.
Where did you set-up to learn your Match Day results? Were you able to be with any friends or family?
At noon, I opened my email with my immediate family via video chat. I then shared the news with family and friends over phone calls, video chats, and social media throughout the day. I met up with classmates in the area which made the day extra special as it was the last in-person social event before the social isolation orders began.
How nervous were you on Match Day waiting for the clock to strike 12:00 PM?
I was very nervous. So much time, finances, and thought went into the creation of a Rank Order List with so many factors affecting the final rank. I had three Match Day dreams the week leading up to March 20, in which I matched, or failed to match, to my top programs.
What were your initial reactions when you learned your results? How did you share them?
Initially I was speechless, but the first thing I remember thinking is how excited I was to spend three years learning from the amazing faculty, residents, and staff I grew to admire while rotating at UMass. It was exciting to see all my peers’ post where they matched on social media and witness their reactions virtually.
What excites you about your residency program?
Everything! This program checked every box on my list, but most importantly I am so thrilled about the people that make up UMass Fitchburg. It was my first interview back in August, so it was an agonizing six month wait to find out if I got to return as a resident.