Otolaryngology resident match results were announced March 21, and five outstanding medical school graduates will join the Department of Otolaryngology at WashU Medicine as our newest residents.
Applications were received from 285 prospective residents, and 67 interviews were granted. Those applicants were ranked by faculty and submitted to the national matching registry. The Department of Otolaryngology at WashU Med each year accepts three new residents on its five-year clinical track and two residents for the seven-year research track.
The National Resident Matching Program uses a computerized mathematical algorithm to place each applicant with their preferred residency positions at programs that also prefer them. The application and interview process is an arduous one, making Match Day a highly celebrated event across the country.
We asked our new colleagues to share their thoughts on learning they had matched at WashU Med. Please join us in welcoming and celebrating the achievements of these new members of our community.
Clinical Track
Ricky Chae
University of Massachusetts, T.H. Chan School of Medicine
“I am incredibly excited and honored to have matched at Washington University in St. Louis! During my sub-internship, I was impressed by the program’s unparalleled clinical and research opportunities, as well as the strong sense of camaraderie among the residents and faculty. I look forward to seeking mentorship from leaders in the field and beginning my training as an academic otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon at WashU!”
Jeffrey Graves
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
“I am very excited to have matched at Washington University! From my interview day, it was clear that WashU offers the perfect balance of challenge and support to help me grow as an otolaryngologist. The combination of world-class surgical training, a strong culture of mentorship, and endless opportunities for innovation made it the perfect fit. I feel incredibly fortunate to join such a talented and collaborative team, and I can’t wait to get started!”
Shivani Ramolia
Rutgers University, Robert Woods Johnson Medical School
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have matched at WashU! The opportunity to train at an institution renowned for its excellence in surgical education, research, and innovation is truly an honor. I can’t wait to learn from incredible mentors, work with a diverse and complex patient population, and grow both clinically and academically. St. Louis will be an exciting new place to call home, and I’m looking forward to embracing everything this next chapter has to offer!”
Research Track
Pablo Llerena
Rutgers University, Robert Woods Johnson Medical School
“I am thrilled and honored to have matched at Washington University in St. Louis! It’s a privilege to be part of a department that upholds such a high standard of clinical and surgical care, alongside amazing research initiatives. On my interview day, the genuine connection between the residents and attendings truly impressed me. I feel fortunate to join this remarkable team and I am looking forward to starting this exciting journey!”
Lauren Mueller
Tulane University School of Medicine
“I am beyond excited to have matched into Otolaryngology at Washington University in St. Louis! I realized WashU was my top choice during interviews when I was asked about the type of resident I hoped to become and consistently found myself describing the residents here. I was drawn by the perfect balance of exceptional clinical training, abundant research opportunities, and the supportive culture. My partner and I feel incredibly fortunate to couples match here and to call St. Louis home in a few short months. I am honored to join this incredible team, and I can’t wait to get started!”