Record-Setting Thirteen SKMC Students Matched Into Ophthalmology Residency Programs

A record 13 Sidney Kimmel Medical College students matched into leading ophthalmology residency programs. For comparison, medical schools across the country generally send an average of two or three students into the competitive ophthalmology specialty, said Charles Pohl, MD, Vice Provost of Student Affairs at Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University).

Most Jefferson students got into one of their top three choices, and they all matched into highly regarded programs, such as Wills Eye at Jefferson, Stanford University, Tufts University, Emory University and Brown University, he said. "These are the cream of the crop."

Dr. Pohl attributes this match success to three main factors: the talents of Sidney Kimmel Medical College students, the expertise of specialty-specific faculty from Wills Eye Hospital to advise the students and the stellar education they receive at Jefferson, including research mentorship in ophthalmology.

Since 1972, Wills Eye Hospital has served as the department of ophthalmology for Sidney Kimmel Medical College (then known as Jefferson Medical College).

"This year's outstanding residency match and the high number of graduating medical students choosing the field of ophthalmology are a testament to the franchise value of our brand and of our specialty," said Julia A. Haller, MD, ophthalmologist-in-chief and William Tasman, MD, Endowed Chair at Wills Eye Hospital, and professor and chair of ophthalmology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College. "Our partnership with Jefferson remains a tremendous, unique resource for talented, dedicated young physicians who year after year fall in love with the compelling, high-impact field of ophthalmology during their rotations at Wills Eye Hospital."