The theme song “Happy,” from the film “Despicable Me 2,” kicked off Match Day 2014. And happy they were.

More than 200 students walked, pranced and even ran down the aisle of UTMB’s Levin Hall auditorium to learn where they will spend the next 3 to 6 years of their lives in residency training.

Balloons lined the room and excitement filled the air! 

In UTMB tradition, each student placed $1 in a basket as they came down to receive the envelope that revealed their fate.  The last student to receive her envelope got the kitty, and the second–to-last student received a matching amount contributed by UTMB faculty.

Bronson Crawford was excited to learn he will be going to Vidant Medical Center/East Carolina University in Greenville, N. C.  “UTMB has been great,” he said.  “They were very accommodating of my family.”  Crawford shared this joyous occasion with his wife Tiffany and 2-year-old daughter Brynn.  Vidant Medical Center was his top choice. He will be completing his residency in emergency room medicine.

Maren and Mitchell Boehnke began dating in their third year at UTMB and the two married in December 2013.  They were excited to learn that they will both be attending University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver.  Maren will be completing her residency in pediatrics as Mitchell trains in radiology.  “We made a lot of friends at UTMB and we will miss it,” said Mitchell.

After finishing her happy dance, tears of joy ran down La Tashia Irving’s face from her good news.  She was ecstatic to learn that she will be attending her top pick for an out-of-state school, Baptist Health System in Birmingham, Ala.  “I’ve wanted to be a doctor since the fifth grade,” said Irving.

Lauren Williams celebrated the occasion with her family and a fellow student in a hotdog costume.  Williams will be continuing her training in Baylor College of Medicine’s pediatrics department.  While at UTMB she traveled to Kenya with the Center for Global Health Education program.

Married couple Mallory Smith Kent and Steven Kent were glad to learn they will be staying together in Houston.  Mallory will be in pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, as Steven joins University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.  Mallory’s numerous sports injuries as a teenager led her to pursue a career in medicine, while Kent’s love for science and helping people drew him to the field.

Hotdog girl, also known as Sasha Still, opened her envelope with pursed lips, in anticipation of the results.  She was pleased to learn she will be attending University of Alabama Medical Center’s surgery/urology residency in Birmingham, Ala.  Hotdog!

Michael Yip was overjoyed to learn he will be attending Yale-New Haven Hospital’s emergency medicine residency program. While other students captured the moment with cameras, Yip captured the festivities “head on” with a video camera attached to his forehead.  Yip was drawn to UTMB by the opportunity to serve the indigent through UTMB’s partnership with St. Vincent House. 

Last but not least was Kameron “Kami” Lockamy, who took the cash. As the last student called out of 204 students, Lockamy described the experience as “nerve-wracking, but well worth the wait.”  She was born nine weeks premature and will be going into pediatrics after completing her residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, according to Lockamy’s mother Linn.                             

Congratulations to all of our UTMB students on their matches.  We appreciate all that you have contributed to the UTMB Health System and wish you continued success!