“Match Day” reveals new residents joining Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency program

“Match Day” is one of the most exciting times of the year for the Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency program. Today, the Residency team learned who will become part of our Beacon family.  Programs like ours across the country take on the responsibility of guiding the growth of these doctors and providing them with the knowledge, skills and abilities to be successful in their future practice.

Tina Jennings, MD

“After spending years in college and medical school preparing, months researching and interviewing at residency programs, ‘Match Day’ represents the culmination of a very long journey,” says Tina Jennings, MD, FAACP and program director.

“There is a bit of mystery to the day that makes it extraordinarily exciting,” Jennings explains. “Once you match at a program, that’s where you are heading. It isn’t like a typical job interview where you interview at several places, receive multiple offers and then choose the one you like the best. You rank programs based on preference, programs rank you based on preference, and an algorithm is run to help match up applicants with programs in a mutually beneficial manner.”

After another unprecedented interview season during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency program team utilized innovation and creativity by offering both virtual and in-person interviews.

“We couldn’t be happier with the results,” Jennings says. “These individuals represent some of the best and brightest going into Family Medicine and we are honored to have them join our team in July.”

Residency is a three-year program. Here is the Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency Class of 2025:

• Shan Antony, Indiana University School of Medicine
• Jillian Baranowski, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
• Hannah Drazenovich, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Rebecca Hendricks, Indiana University School of Medicine
• Ashley Hooper, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Gabriela Romo, Indiana University School of Medicine
• Gerrit Seymour, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Cynthia Stanton, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Kristen Wright, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Garrett Shanks, MD was part of last year’s new class. He recalled his experience in learning that he had been matched with Memorial’s program:

“I celebrated Match Day in a minivan”

Garrett Shanks, MD

Garrett Shanks, MD
First-year resident

“With COVID-19 restrictions in California still limiting in-person gatherings, my medical school coordinated a drive-in celebration in the parking lot. Early on Friday morning, my wife, three-week-old daughter and I piled into a van and pulled up alongside classmates’ cars. This was far from the Match Day my class imagined prior to the global pandemic, but after a year of isolation and virtual interviews, the tension on that asphalt was palpable.

“After receiving breakfast burritos and statements by faculty, we were directed to check our emails. I was thrilled to find a message in my inbox saying that I had matched to Memorial. I quickly texted my parents and in-laws to share the good news before turning to celebrate with my friends who had matched all across the country. Boston, St. Paul, San Diego, etc. Behind our enthusiastic smiles, my wife and I sincerely felt that South Bend was the best new home for all.

“That night, current Memorial residents welcomed us with a virtual celebration and trivia games. We felt the warmth and support of the community right away and were so excited to get to know other residents and their families! We ended the day exhausted and hopeful for our next season.”

Click here for more information about our Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency program.