Wake Forest University School of Medicine Celebrates Match Day 2026!
Wake Forest University School of Medicine's fourth-year medical students, along with medical students from across the country, learned where they "matched" and will spend the next three to seven years of residency training. Scroll to take in the excitement from Match Day and hear from students, faculty and alumni about what makes Match Day so special.
THE CEREMONY: Noon on Friday, March 20, at Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem. THE OCCASION: Match Day WHY IT MATTERS: Match Day is one of the most momentous days in a medical student's journey to becoming a doctor. Each year on the third Friday in March, fourth-year medical students across the country wait in anticipation for the clock to strike noon. They excitedly open envelopes with their names to learn where they “matched” for the next three to seven years of residency training. The majority of the Class of 2026 entered medical school in July 2022.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CEREMONY: Our medical students all opened their envelopes together, at noon, and celebrated their matches with family, friends and School of Medicine faculty members. NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO MATCHED: 133 PERCENT OF STUDENTS WHO MATCHED: 95.70% NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO MATCHED WITHIN OUR ADVOCATE HEALTH FOOTPRINT: 29 NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO MATCHED IN NORTH CAROLINA: 38
COME TOGETHER: Madeline Hosking and Alli Lueders, pictured left to right, “screamed and hugged” each other when learning they both matched into emergency medicine at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center. “To have my family and friends and all my classmates around me, it was amazing. Such a great moment,” said Hosking. “I love all the residents and the faculty there. They've been so welcoming and I love Charlotte because we’ll be co-residents with some of the best people,” said Leuders.
ONE SHINING MOMENT: “I was very nervous but it was also really exciting. I was waiting a long time for this, so I’m super excited to stay here for family medicine,” said Dharman Anandarajan, who matched in family medicine at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. “The best part about this moment is seeing where everyone's going, seeing their excitement and getting to spend time with those I’m closest with.”
WE ARE FAMILY: Mattie Harris matched in emergency medicine at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Her family was by her side cheering her on, including her brother Zach Harris, who graduated from Wake Forest University School of Medicine four years ago! STUDENT TO FAMILY: “They're the reason I am where I am right now and I love them so much,” said Mattie Harris.
FROM MATCH DAY TO PEDIATRICIAN: Years after facing childhood cancer and being treated at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Dr. Kameron Williamson opened his Match Day 2025 envelope and matched to his first‑choice residency — pediatrics at Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital. Now, months into residency, he’s caring for kids and families with the same strength, empathy and dedication that inspired his path to medicine. From hands‑on learning at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine to real‑world patient care, Dr. Williamson is fully embracing life as a resident. Read to see how he’s bringing heart to pediatrics every day!
FACULTY MEMBERS REFLECT ON THEIR MATCH DAY: Match Day 2002 marked a powerful next chapter for the Cartwrights — one built on years of dedication, support and a mutual commitment to medicine. As Dr. Sarah Cartwright and Dr. Michael Cartwright opened their envelopes side-by-side, the moment reflected not just where they were headed but how much they’d accomplish. The husband and wife duo both attended Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Michael matched into the neurology residency here, and Sarah matched into family medicine. Watch to learn more about their journey.
CONNECT WITH US: Help us celebrate your match on social media! Tag @wakeforestmed and use hashtags #WFUSMmatch and #MatchDay2026