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Shortly before noon on Friday, March 18, the anticipation, excitement, and drama were building.

Vincent Martello (D.O., ’22) sat alongside family and friends waiting to open the envelope that held the information about where he would be spending the next few years on his journey towards becoming a physician.

“I was experiencing a real mixed bag,” he explained. “I was very excited, but I do not do well with suspense. It was nerve wracking, the anticipation of it all. But then you see the name of where you will be going and you cannot help but be happy.”

Martello will be spending the next five years in general surgery at Nuvance Health in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Martello was one of 70 ɫ����ƵCollege of Osteopathic Medicine (ɫ����Ƶ COM) students who gathered with their guests in-person on the first floor of Ripich Commons to learn where they will be completing their medical residencies, and in what specialties, following graduation. Dozens of other students joined the event virtually.

“Three of these medical students’ four years at ɫ����Ƶ have been impacted, at least in part, by the pandemic,” commented James Herbert, Ph.D., president of the University of New England. “The adaptability and grace under pressure they have demonstrated show that they are ready for whatever challenges await them as they become doctors. If there has ever been any doubt about the crucial role physicians play in our society, those doubts have been put to rest over the past few years.”

Mark Jens (D.O., ’22) says making it through the pandemic with his fellow students made the event that much more special.

“I did not think I would get that emotional but being surrounded by friends who I really bonded with my first two years, then not having seen them because of the pandemic, this was the best way that I could have experienced this,” he said. “These are my closest friends and we have been through a lot together.”

Jens will be completing his residency in family medicine at UVM Health-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in upstate New York.

In total, 160 ɫ����Ƶ COM students were matched to residencies, a match rate of more than 99%.

“Match Day is the culmination of years of hard work, commitment, and the next huge step in a medical student’s journey to being a physician.” stated Jane Carreiro, D.O., vice president for Health Affairs and dean of ɫ����Ƶ COM. “We are so impressed with our students and look forward to their continued success.”