Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / March 22, 2012, edition 1 / Page 3
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Perfect (Medical) Matches Tomorrow's doctors learn where they will complete their training BY TODD LUCK THE CHRONICLE Like other medical students across the nation, those at Wake Forest School of Medicine learned last Friday where they would conduct their residency training. Match Day, as it's called, is a tradition at medical schools, marked by the sight of nerv ous and excited students opening envelopes to learn where they will spend the next 3-6 years for the final portion of their medical training. "This is the first rung on the ladder of the career trajectory that leads students to inde pendence as a physician," said Steven Block, senior associate dean of the medical school, said of residencies. Students interview at medical programs around the country for residency spots. Although students list their top picks, the National Residency Matching Program uses a computer program to match students with medical facilities. One hundred-and-thirteen Wake medical students slated to graduate this May learned their fates. An envelope for each of them was laid out neatly across tables at Bridger Field House. The tables were roped off until exact ly noon, when the students were given the OK to open the envelopes. Orange, Calif.-native Tammy Pham, who plans to go into neurology, got her first choice'- Oregon Health & Science University in Portland Pham's father, Peter, came all the way from California for the occasion. Pham said Match Day is an important time in the lives of all med students. "This, for me, is bigger than graduation because you find out where you're going to be ... for the next portion of your life," said Pham, whose mother is also a physician. Louis Frazier, a native of Clearwater, Fla., also talked about the importance of Match Day. "It's all of our hard work poured into an envelope opening," he said. Becoming a doctor has been a longtime dream for Frazier. In the fifth grade, thinking of his aunt's struggles with cancer, he drew himself on the cover of Time magazine as the doctor who found the cure for the disease. He said his sixth grade science teacher kept encouraging him to become "Dr. Frazier." ^^Fnugpr^va^only 12 when he lost his father to complications from alcoholism, but he said his datKs death only encouraged him to work harder toN achieve his dreams. He was a straight 'A' student throughout grade school, eventually earning a full-ride football scholarship to Wake Forest. Some doubted if Frazier could juggle the grueling left tackle position and intense pre med courses, but again Frazier beat the odds, finishing his undergraduate career with a 3.76 grade-point-average and numerous academic honors. He became the first Demon Deacon to be named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America team since 1959. Frazier is going into emergency medicine, which he said requires him to be a "jack of all trades, master of none." He said he's used to handling a variety of activities in his life so the constantly varying situations he'll face in an emergency room are a good match for him. "I've always been great at^ultitaskmg," he said. "I just love the variety you always have in the emergency department." Frazier said as an African American, he's Tammy Pham and her father, Peter. definitely in the minority in the medical field. He is one of only five African Americans in the Wake Forest School of Medicine Class of 2012. He said that his top residency picks were hospitals with diverse programs. He ended up getting his top pick: Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. He said he would encourage any African American who wants to go into medicine to pursue that dream. "1 would tell them to follow their heart's desire and just be strong along the way, because I had a lot of people tell me 1 would not be able to do it," said Frazier. 'if they have interest in medicine in any facet, then they should do it because it is a great field that's made me very happy." Photos by Todd Luck The medical students pose for a class photo after opening their envelopes. Louis Frazier is headed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in NashvlHer?' I ???-M? ? TWIN CITY STAGE I and I BUTLER & BURKE llp I present I Grimes of I the Heart I by Beth Henley ? ' '' . * . I Mar 23-35 & Mar 29- Apr 1 Pulitzer Prize- winning play! Oscar- nominated film! See your fa rorite characters brought to life at T?in City Stage in this zany comedy/drama! For Tickets Call the Box Office 336-726-4001 or order online www.TwinCityStagaorg Sean here with 1 your smart phone to huy tickets online! V Phnto hv ItaniH K Ahrarp*. i - Warts BUTLER ? BURKE . COUNCIL ?MMMMiMtMIMMI M ?
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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March 22, 2012, edition 1
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