Temple’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine Class of 2026 celebrates Match Day as 215 students learn where they will complete their residency training.

At exactly noon on Friday, March 20 a wave of cheers, tears and celebration swept across Temple University’s medical school campuses as members of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine Class of 2026 opened the envelopes that would shape the next chapter of their careers. 

Match Day, an annual milestone for medical students nationwide, marks the moment when future physicians learn where they will complete their residency training. For Temple students, the highly anticipated tradition unfolded simultaneously at the school’s North Philadelphia campus and the Temple/St. Luke’s School of Medicine campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 

Surrounded by family, friends and mentors, 215 graduates counted down together before opening their envelopes and learning where they will spend the next several years training in hospitals and health systems across the country. 

The celebration began with remarks from Amy J. Goldberg, the Marjorie Joy Katz Dean of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, who offered words of encouragement as students prepared to take this next step in their medical journeys. 

“We are proud to celebrate this incredible milestone with you,” said Goldberg. “Today is one of the most exciting days in medical education. It marks the culmination of years of hard work, long nights of studying, clinical rotations and moments of growth that have shaped you into the physicians you are becoming.” 

For many students, the moment carried deep emotional weight, often rivaling graduation itself, as it represented years of rigorous study, sacrifice and perseverance. 

“I feel an incredible sense of relief, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders after years of hard work and sacrifice,” said Masashi Azuma, MED ’26.  

Azuma, a Connecticut native, completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut, where he majored in biomedical and computer science engineering. At Temple, he set his sights on cardiothoracic surgery, one of the most competitive specialties in medicine, and matched at Montefiore Einstein Medical Center in the Bronx, his top choice, where he will complete his residency. 

Reflecting on his journey, Azuma said, “There were so many moments where I doubted myself because the path wasn’t always clear, especially in such a competitive specialty. I had to keep pushing forward, and the support from my mentors and my partner Kristine helped me achieve something I once thought was out of reach.” 

This year’s Match results reflect both the breadth of Temple’s medical training and its continued commitment to addressing critical healthcare needs. Of the 215 graduates: 

• 79 students (37%) matched into primary care fields 

• Internal medicine led all specialties with 47 matches (21.9%) 

• General surgery followed with 20 matches (9.3%) 

• 97 students (45.1%) matched in Pennsylvania 

• 57 students will begin their training in Philadelphia 

• 35 students matched at Temple University Health System  

• 25 students matched at St. Luke’s University Health System  

Together, these outcomes highlight a strong pipeline of physicians entering both primary care and specialized fields, helping to meet evolving healthcare demands locally and nationwide. 

The day also marked personal milestones for many students, including Azuma’s partner, Kristine Chin, who couples matched in a nearby location, allowing them to begin their careers side by side. 

“I feel so full of happiness, excitement and relief,” said Kristine Chin, CST ’22, MED ’26. “Matching together at our top choices makes this moment even more special.” 

Chin, a double graduate of Temple University, earned her undergraduate degree in biology in 2022. After eight years at Temple, she will complete her residency at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where she matched into a combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics residency. 

Thinking about her time at Temple and the transition ahead, Chin said, “Temple has been my home for eight years, so this is bittersweet, but I’m excited to take what I’ve learned here and begin this next chapter while staying close to the people who matter most.” 

 As the celebrations continued, one thing was clear: Temple’s newest physicians are stepping forward ready to make a meaningful impact, bringing their training, compassion and commitment to communities across the country.  

“Being Temple made means resilience, determination and showing up every day ready to care for patients and communities who need us most,” Goldberg said.