Dean Will Head Organization Matching Medical Students with Residency Programs

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Maria C. Savoia, MD, dean of Medical Education at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine

The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Board of Directors has appointed Maria C. Savoia, MD, dean of Medical Education at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, as board chair of the nonprofit organization that oversees the medical resident matching process nationwide.

“Match Day” occurs every year on the third Friday of March at each of the 155 medical schools in the United States. At a specific time, medical students across the nation open a white envelope to find out where they will be going for the next phase of their training – a specialized program known as residency.

In the lead up to Match Day, each student lists, in order of preference, the residency program that he or she would like to attend. Meanwhile, each residency program ranks its applicants in order of its own preferences. An algorithm compares the two sides and places each student in the program he or she most desires, provided the program also desires that student.

“It’s an emotional and joyous time for the medical students, their families and our staff,” said Savoia. “I’m so honored to assume the position of chair of NRMP, which provides such a fair, reliable and effective process for matching medical students with training programs that will transition them into the next generation of doctors.”

Savoia received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed her residency training in internal medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine, with subsequent fellowship training in infectious diseases. In addition to her extensive background in medical education research, she maintains a clinical practice with the Division of Infectious Diseases at UC San Diego Health System.

Savoia has been a respected leader in her field for more than three decades, and since 2010, has served as dean of medical education and professor of medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

Since joining the NRMP in 2008, Savoia has also served on the Board of Directors’ Violations Review Committee and Data Release and Research Committee (DRRC). She has chaired the DRRC since 2009.

“As a member of the DRRC, I’ve been able to observe the growing interest in and demand for meaningful information about match day processes and outcomes,” said Savoia. “I am excited to support the NRMP in its continued efforts to fulfill, if not surpass, the needs of its constituents and consider ways in which to make the respected process and its resources even more meaningful to medical students and our community.”

Savoia will begin her new role as chair July 1.