For Zoee Castro, location was not as much of a priority as “fit.”

“I matched at UCSF Fresno; I had the chance to rotate with them and was able to see the acuity of patients they care for,” Castro said. “They looked at me like I was part of the emergency medicine family there.”

Over the next few months, these students will be finishing requirements for graduation, looking for housing, and spending time with friends and family before packing up to start their emergency medicine journeys.

“We have answered a call, and we answered a call to take care of people 24/7/365 oftentimes at their worst moment,” Dr. Cirillo said, welcoming people to the specialty. “I believe that gives us a chance to be at our best. Emergency medicine won’t always be easy and there will be challenges, but I think it makes it even more special.”

Ms. Lawrence is a freelance health writer and editor based in Delaware.

References

1. The National Resident Matching Program. NRMP Releases Results of the 2026 Main Residency Match for More Than 38,000 Future Residents. https://www.nrmp.org/about/news/2026/03/nrmp-releases-results-of-the-2026-main-residency-match-for-more-than-38000-future-residents/. Published March 20, 2026. Accessed March 26, 2026.
2. Henry TA. Over 40,000 land spots on Match Day. What are this year’s trends? https://www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/preparing-residency/over-40000-land-spots-match-day-what-are-year-s-trends. Published January 4, 2024. Accessed March 28, 2026.
3. The National Resident Matching Program. Results and Data. 2011 Main Residency Match. https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/resultsanddata2011.pdf. Accessed March 30, 2026.
4. ACEP. Joint Statement on the Emergency Medicine 2023 Match Results. https://www.acep.org/news/acep-newsroom-articles/joint-statement-match-2023/. Published March 13, 2023. Accessed March 30, 2026.
5. Preiksaitis C, Krzyzaniak S, Bowers K, et al. Characteristics of Emergency Medicine Residency Programs With Unfilled Positions in the 2023 Match. Ann Emerg Med. 2023;82(5):598-607.
6. Gettel CJ, Bennett CL, Rothenberg C, et al. Unfilled in emergency medicine: An analysis of the 2022 and 2023 Match by program accreditation, ownership, and geography. AEM Educ Train. 2023;7(4):e10902.