Jefferson College of Pharmacy Match Rate Among Highest in Nation

The Doctor of Pharmacy Class of 2022 saw the highest percentage of graduating students participate in the post-graduate residency match program in Jefferson College of Pharmacy (JCP) history. In addition, JCP had one of the top match rates in the country. 

Completion of a post-graduate residency program is an optional specialized advanced training opportunity available for pharmacists, explains Dr. Rebecca Finley, JCP dean and professor. Pharmacists who complete residency training often go to leadership, academic or clinical specialty positions. Each year, approximately 40% of U.S. pharmacy graduates participate in the national matching program, and about 75% of those (or 30% of all pharmacy graduates) match to a post-graduate year 1 (PGY1) residency.  

This year, 31 of 57 spring JCP graduates participated in the match and 30 of 31 (96.8%) matched, Dr. Finley says. Several graduates from prior years also participated in the match, bringing the overall match rate to 93.4%. 

Notably, JCP graduates matched to prestigious training sites, including Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, ChristianaCare, Duke University and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital—the country’s oldest accredited pharmacy residency program.

Class of 2022 graduate Jordan Mak enrolled at Jefferson after seeing the direct impact he could make on patient care in the pharmacy field. Through the University, he particularly benefited from participating in the interprofessional education programs and a national case competition with pharmacy and nursing students, Mak says. The competition, which sought to connect a refugee family with health care, gave him experience in social work and population health.

“I always knew I wanted to earn a doctorate degree, and Jefferson validated my decision to go to pharmacy school,” says Mak, who will complete a PGY1 pharmacy residency at Einstein Medical Center.

Along with the success of 2022 grads, seven members of the Pharmacy Class of 2021 matched to post-graduate year 2 specialty residencies in critical care, ambulatory care, cardiology, emergency medicine and infectious diseases, Dr. Finley says.

“We’re thrilled and proud of our talented JCP graduates,” she says. “Our partnership with Jefferson Health Pharmacy provides our student pharmacists with exceptional educational and training opportunities along with outstanding opportunities for professional mentoring and career development.”