Twins William and Raphael "Rafi" Karkowsky have always shared life's best moments.
That was true again Friday when the brothers and best friends learned where they would begin their careers as doctors.
They were among nearly 16,000 medical students nationwide who opened Match Day letters and learned where they would conduct postgraduate study. More than 95 percent of students were matched with residency positions, the highest rate in 30 years, according to the National Resident Match Program.
The students enter medicine as health care reform could transform the industry and medical schools grapple with the expected shortage of doctors in years to come.
The brothers both wanted residencies in internal medicine, an increasingly popular choice among medical students, given the growing focus on primary care.
Raphael was on the phone with his girlfriend as he opened his letter among a small group of friends at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He was matched in internal medicine with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, his third choice after Beth Israel Deaconess in Boston and Cornell University in New York.
"It was my favorite program, but not my top choice, so I'm actually happy with it, because the computer knew better than me where I should end up going," Rafi said. "It worked out for the best."
William took a deep breath before he and his wife, Hasya Pearlman, opened his letter together as his parents watched. The University of Maryland School of Medicine student was paired in internal medicine with the University of Chicago, his first choice. He beamed and kissed his wife repeatedly and seemed at a loss for words.
"I am pretty happy," he said later. "I got my first choice."
The 59-year-old Match Day program is designed as a fair way to assign students to residencies, where they will further their training for the next three to seven years.
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Medical students find out residencies at Match Day
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