More than 35 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) students at PCOM South Georgia joined together with classmates, faculty and loved ones on Friday, March 20 on the Moultrie campus to learn their residency placements—marking a pivotal moment in their medical careers.

“You’ve worked awfully hard to get to this moment and while there is still more work to be done once you get into your residency, it is still an exciting time and you should be proud of this milestone you’ve achieved," said Robert J. Lloyd, DO '91,FACOS, dean of the osteopathic medicine program, during his opening remarks.

Beginning at 11:59 a.m., students counted down to noon, envelopes in hand, ready to uncover where they will be spending the next three to five years continuing their clinical training as medical residents.

Among these students was Lisandra Chinea (DO ’26) who learned she’ll be completing her residency at HCA Kendall in Miami, Florida, specializing in anesthesiology.

Chinea hopes to one day have a successful career as an attending anesthesiologist and believes PCOM South Georgia has helped chart that path.

“By giving me strong clinical exposure early on and working closely with physicians who were genuinely invested in teaching, I was able to develop both hands-on skills and confidence in patient care,” she said.

Match Day is a time-honored national tradition, celebrated simultaneously each year by fourth-year medical students across the country who participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). Through a specialized matching algorithm, the NRMP pairs applicants with residency and fellowship programs that best align with their preferences, training goals and the needs of healthcare institutions nationwide.

Many of this year’s matches will continue to advance PCOM South Georgia’s mission of addressing physician shortages in rural and underserved areas, with graduates entering residencies in primary care fields such as family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics. Others will go on to specialized training in emergency medicine, surgery, and psychiatry—reflecting the breadth and versatility of the College’s academic programs and student body.

Emeka Ikeakanam (DO ’26), who matched in pediatrics at Virginia Tech Carillion, was overjoyed to match with his top choice and credits PCOM South Georgia’s commitment to community service to his success.

“The South Georgia campus offers something unique that I don't think I could have gotten anywhere else, which is access,” said Ikeakanam. “Not only are the faculty and staff available to us, but they are also invested in the community. This provided access to opportunities that helped me grow professionally that I don't think I could have gotten anywhere else.”