National 'Match Day' brings new physician residents to Youngstown

Last Friday, Mercy Health- Youngstown Graduate Medical Education Program matched 42 incoming physician residents across nine programs. This new class includes 11 internal medicine, 9 emergency medicine, 10 family medicine, 4 general surgery, 3 orthopedic surgery, 1 ENT and 4 transitional residents. In addition, 2 hospice and palliative medicine fellows and 5 dental residents recently joined as well.
Match Day, a time-honored tradition for graduating medical students, is the day graduates are placed into residency and fellowship programs. These programs will allow the residents to continue their medical education.
It is also the day when Mercy Health- Youngstown learns who will become their next class of physician residents.
"Mercy Health- Youngstown is committed to cultivating the next generation of physicians to ensure that the Mahoning Valley has access to high quality, compassionate providers for decades to come," said Dr. Jim Kravec, Chief Clinical Officer for Mercy Health – Youngstown and the System Medical Director, Graduate Medical Education for Bon Secours Mercy Health. "Mercy Health – Youngstown's Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs are on the forefront of medical education and are essential in filling the health care talent pipeline – a must as we look to the future of medicine. We are eager to welcome these new physicians to the Mahoning Valley and integrating them into the fabric of our communities."
Mercy Health- Youngstown places a strong priority on workforce development, with a particular focus on expanding Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs in the region.
In 2022, Mercy Health initiated an Addiction Medicine Fellowship, a year-long program available to physicians who have finished an ACGME-accredited residency and are keen on serving individuals dealing with substance use disorders. Additionally, last year saw the introduction of a Rural Pathway for family medicine residents interested in addressing the healthcare needs of rural communities, allowing them to tackle the distinct health challenges these populations encounter.
Dr. Ron Rhodes, Chief Academic Officer for Mercy Health- Youngstown says, "Mercy Health – Youngstown is proud to train nearly 140 physicians in our residency and fellowship programs every year. Not only do these physicians care for our community during their training, but for some, the Mahoning Valley is where they stay for the remainder of their medical careers. GME gives young physicians the chance to learn and nourish their craft, while also giving them the opportunity to start a life-long career"