College of Medicine to hold Match Day at drive-in

The image of the drive-in conjures up classic memories.

Awkward first dates.

Kids rolled up in blankets, sitting on the hood of the car.

Accomplished medical school graduates receiving life-altering news that will chart the course of their career.

OK, that last one, maybe not so much. But this March, in an effort to continue a cherished College of Medicine tradition while remaining safe in the face of the COVID-19, Match Day will be held on March 19 at the Falconwood Park Drive-In in Bellevue.

The drive-in theater at Falconwood Park location will help facilitate compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols.

“For medical students, Match Day is the biggest day of medical school,” said Wendy Grant, MD, associate dean for admissions and student affairs at the college. “They start medical school with the White Coat Ceremony, and there are other rites of passage, including graduation, but Match Day is when they find out where they’re going to do their medical training.”

It’s important on Match Day that students be with their families, but also that students be with each other — two goals that are difficult to achieve safely in the time of COVID-19, said Dr. Grant, noting that in 2020, the students were on their own when they were notified of their matches.

“We just started thinking, is there any way we can safely do this?” Dr. Grant said. “And originally, just joking around, I said ‘Why don’t we just hold it in the parking lot of the Baxter Arena?’

“But then someone mentioned the drive-in theater.”

Although the drive-in at Falconwood Park doesn’t traditionally open until April, the owners were responsive and understanding when college leaders approached them with the idea, Dr. Grant said.

“They’ve been phenomenal to work with,” she said.

Falconwood owner Brandon Miller said he was excited to work with the college.

“I love helping to bring people’s visions to life,” he said. “When they came to us with the idea, I said, ‘Let’s figure out how to make this work.'”

Miller touched base with the companies that provide sound and other services when the drive-in is open, and although all are seasonal businesses, they were enthusiastic at the chance to help the medical students, he said.

“For us, this is a fun and unique challenge,” he said. “There will be a bunch of us working to help make this a great event for UNMC.”

Lauren Greufe, president of the college’s class of 2021, said the students are excited to have a Match Day event.

“This will be a unique opportunity, and we appreciate our administration looking into options, as opposed to an all-virtual program,” she said. “Of course, everyone’s very excited on Match Day regardless — but being able to combine family members with your classmates is an important part of the event. After all, the match affects family members as much as it does the students. And being able to see where classmates are matching is exciting, as well.”

The plans tentatively call for the lot to open at 9 a.m., so families can arrive in their cars and be safely spaced out. Although there will be no reception, food may be available. Students will receive notification of their match electronically at 11 a.m., and will take to the stage and tell their classmates where they are going.

“There will even be some form of the map we’ve had, where they traditionally put pins in to show where they’re going,” Dr. Grant said.

With 123 graduating students, and at one car per student, the drive-in can easily fit the numbers.

“We’ll have it COVID-compliant, and we will be masked,” Dr. Grant said. “So, barring there being two feet of snow the night before or thunderstorms that day, we’ll go ahead.”