INDIANAPOLIS — With their May 2020 graduation fast approaching, the fourth class of the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) took time away from their studies March 20 to learn where they will begin the next phase of their journey toward becoming a doctor. In a ceremony known nationally as "Match Day," the future doctors gathered virtually with faculty, staff, family and friends to learn where they will begin their residency training.

Of the 154 students who participated in "Match Day," 154 (100%) received information about where they will complete their post-doctoral specialty training, commonly referred to as a "residency."

"With this year marking the first time ever for the 'Single Match' with all osteopathic (DO) and allopathic (MD) students combined into one matching program, the fact that MU-COM (95.1%) matched above the national averages for US-MD (93.7%) and US-DO (90.7%) students, and ultimately placed all 100 percent of our graduates into residency programs is absolutely thrilling" Donald Sefcik, DO, dean of MU-COM, said.  "We are equally excited that 67 percent of our graduates will begin residencies in primary care specialties, and that 40 percent of them will remain right here in Indiana for their residencies."

By geographic location, 62 graduates (40.3 percent) will be training in the State of Indiana, while 66 percent will be training in one of the five states (Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky) that align with one of MU-COM's primary goals of placing physicians in Indiana and neighboring states. The 154 graduates who have finalized their residency plans will begin their training in 74 different cities in 24 states.

The "Match Day" ceremony is administered by the National Resident Matching Program of the Association of American Medical Colleges, and is held at medical schools across the country each year on the third Friday in March. This year, due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, MU-COM held a "virtual" Match Day online, inviting students to submit videos announcing where they will be completing their residencies.

When MU-COM was opened in August 2013, it became Indiana's second medical school, and the first to open in 110 years. It is the nation's first osteopathic medical school at a Catholic university, and just the fifth medical school of any kind located at a Catholic university.

The 154 graduates will celebrate their commencement Saturday, May 2, 2020.

Additional statistics about the residency placements:

Top 5 by Specialty (%)

Top 5 by State (%)

Top 5 by Training Facility (#)

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About Marian University Indianapolis
Founded in 1937, Marian University is the only Catholic university in Indianapolis and central Indiana. In 2020, Marian is serving more than 2,400 undergraduate and 1,160 graduate students earning degrees in the arts, business, education, engineering, math, medicine, nursing, ministry, and the natural and physical sciences. The university's high-impact, experiential curriculum is designed to provide hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities for students from 40 states and 23 nations. Marian climbed in U.S. News & World Report's 2020 Midwestern rankings to be named #6 Most Innovative Regional University, #15 Best Value University, and #30 Best Regional University. Marian University opened its College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2013, making it the first new school of medicine in the state of Indiana in 110 years. Marian's national champion varsity athletic programs include the 2012 and 2015 NAIA Football Championship, the 2016 and 2017 NAIA Women's Basketball Championship, the 2019 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship, and more than 40 USA Cycling national championships.