On March 16, 2026, medical students will find out if they have matched to a residency program, and on March 20, they will find out where. If the trends at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, reflect national trends, an increasing number of those students may be hoping for a match within emergency medicine (EM).

Last year, ACEP reported that EM had “rebounded,” after seeing steep declines in matches in the years after the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2023 Match, EM had a fill rate of 81.8 percent, but in 2025 that increased to 95.5 percent.¹

“What we had seen nationally was a trend away from emergency medicine and fewer applications, especially among competitive applicants,” said Erin Simmers, MD, MPH, who directs the Emergency Medicine Advising program at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.

However, in the current class of MS4s from University of Nevada, Reno, quite a few are hoping to match in EM.

“When I went into an advisory meeting with the current year’s batch of students, there were about 30 people in the room out of a class size of about 60,” Dr. Simmers said. Of those initial 30 students, 15 — or 25 percent  of the class — are applying to emergency medicine. “I saw this group of students and thought, ‘This cohort is so strong. These are students that could have been successful in any field.’”

But it seems that EM is their passion. As the Nevada ACEP Chapter President, Dr. Simmers wants to look into why so many of these students chose EM,  hoping to be able to share that with other programs nationally.

ACEP Now recently spoke with some of these students to find out when and how they became interested in emergency medicine.

The Lens of Emergency Medicine

Zoee Castro, MS4: “I was first introduced to emergency medicine while working as a medical scribe in a Level II trauma center for four years before medical school. That experience gave me early exposure to the pace, acuity, and team dynamics of the ED, and it sparked my initial interest in the field. When I began medical school in 2021, emergency medicine was high on my list, but I intentionally kept an open mind. However, a few months into my third year, I noticed a consistent pattern: I was subconsciously comparing every rotation to emergency medicine. I wasn’t just learning medicine, but I was filtering everything through the lens of how it would make me a better emergency physician. Like many drawn to emergency medicine, I thrive on the unpredictability and the hands-on nature of the work, but what resonates most deeply with me is emergency medicine’s role as the safety net of our health care system.”

From Ski Patrol to Emergency Medicine

Sara A. Hanneman, MS4: “I came into medical school with the intent of specializing in emergency medicine after working on and off as an EMT for six years prior to matriculation. Working on ski patrol was particularly impactful in this decision. On patrol, I was surrounded by other EMTs, paramedics, and flight nurses who I really looked up to. Their mentorship allowed me to develop more confidence in my own medical skills and recognize that I was capable of pursuing medical school. Being on scene with a group of providers who work together seamlessly to collectively help a patient is an incredible display of teamwork that I love being a part of. Though I kept my mind open to other specialties throughout medical school, I ultimately decided that EM was still what aligned most with my personal values and career goals.”

Real-time Decisions Shape Patient Care

Hannah A. Miller, MS4: “My interest in emergency medicine started prior to medical school while working as a scribe in the ED during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Watching health care workers’ dedication and resilience during such challenging times reinforced my admiration for the field. During my third-year rotations, I started to home in on what excited me most about medicine. Completing rotations in various specialties affirmed that I was most energized in the hospital setting where acuity and real-time decision making shape patient care. This excitement carried into my emergency medicine rotation where, after one shift, I knew this was where I fit best. Whether it was reassuring a worried parent, counseling on smoking cessation, or participating in a successful resuscitation of a critical patient, each moment felt like I was making a meaningful difference in my community.” 

A Day Well Spent

Cameron Shonnard, MS4: “I came to emergency medicine during my third-year clinical rotations after realizing that I genuinely enjoyed every rotation I had been on. What stood out to me was how the ED brought all of those areas of medicine together in one place. I also found that I really loved the trauma side of medicine and the opportunity to be involved in the initial management of critically ill patients. Just as importantly, I was drawn to the collaborative environment of the emergency department. The teamwork between physicians, nurses, techs, consultants, and EMS creates a culture where everyone is working together toward the same goal. That environment made work feel like a day well spent with people I enjoy being around rather than a solo show, which really resonated with me and ultimately solidified my decision to pursue emergency medicine.”

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

References

1. Match Results Amplify Enthusiasm for EM. ACEP Now. Published March 21, 2025. https://www.acepnow.com/article/match-results-amplify-enthusiasm-for-em/.