Hard work, determination and sacrifice paid off for 121 UNMC medical students who received their residency assignments last Friday during Match Day.
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John-Emmett Mahon, M.D., left, and his grandfather, Emmett McGhee |
Getting to this day wasn’t easy, especially for those medical students who are parents. This year’s class has 28 children.
Omahan Shannon Haines was there with her 12-year-old daughter, Kaylee, and their family. Haines was a teen mother and single parent throughout college and medical school.
She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biotechnology and began medical school a year later. She said Kaylee deserves an honorary degree in medicine because she has been to study sessions and medical events, dealt with endless piles of flashcards and to do lists, yet has maintained a fantastic attitude.
Other matches
Katie Berky said husband, Drew, (both pictured above with daughter Eva) was her rock.
“He knew when to let me push hard academically, when to tell me it’s okay to want to be a mom first and that I could do both well. My daughter is a constant reminder to slow down and appreciate the good in everyday life, which I think makes me a better student and hopefully a better doctor in the future.”
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Amal Hamdan, M.D. |
Amal Hamdan of Lincoln was the pride of her family on Match Day. She is the first in her family to graduate from college in the U.S. and will be the first physician in the family. Originally from Sudan, the family came to the U.S. when Amal was 7.
“Matching and being done with my M.D. is still sinking in, and it’s an overwhelming feeling of ‘Oh my gosh, this is real,’ ” Haines said. She matched in pediatrics at UNMC.
To see Match Day photos by Rich Watson, click here.
To see a list where students matched, click here.
Eight-month-old Amelia Steffen, daughter of Spencer and Shelby Steffen of Crofton, Neb., and Albion, Neb., respectively, traveled with her parents to 12 states at six-months-old for residency position interviews.
“The interview trail was fun and sometimes stressful, but we’re excited for the journey to be over,” Shelby said. They will do their family medicine residency together at the Lincoln Medical Education Partnership in Lincoln, Neb.
Match Day was extra meaningful for John-Emmett Mahon of South Sioux City and his grandfather, Emmett McGhee, 92.
Sadly on his sixth birthday, John-Emmett’s grandmother died of cancer, leaving behind his brokenhearted grandfather. He told his grandfather, “Someday I will be a doctor.”
Through the years, his grandfather attended every honors event John-Emmett was ever part of, often telling folks, “I just want to live long enough to see my grandson become a doctor.”
When it was Mahon’s turn to go up on stage and announce to his colleagues where he will train, McGhee walked up with him. When Mahon introduced his grandpa and mentioned to about 600 attendees that his grandfather is a WWII veteran, he received a standing ovation.
Mahon matched in pediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, Ky.
What a wonderful occasion. These young men and women are the bright future of our wonderful profession. They need to be commended for their knowledge, grit, courage and more importantly their commitment to dedicate their lives "to serve". With such remarkable and touching stories already behind them, they will continue to lead remarkable lives and become the backbone of our health care system. We wish each and everyone of them good health, much happiness and success in both your professional and personal lives.
Go forth and make us proud!
Chandra Are MD
Congratulations to everyone but a special commendation to Marie (Goering) Rodehorst.
Grand Island is lucky to have you. Your mother and grandparents would be very proud.