Each year, soon-to-be-graduates of PNWU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) apply to residency positions throughout the country, with most learning their results on Match Day in March. For student doctors in the military, the residency application process is different.
In December, PNWU’s military-enrolled student doctors learned where they would be taking the next steps in their healthcare journeys. Their achievements reflect a shared commitment to service.
Those selected to a military residency will begin working at a military healthcare facility as active-duty physicians and promoted to the rank of Captain in the Army or the Air Force, and Lieutenant in the Navy.
Katsiaryna Kniahnitskaya, OMS IV, 2d Lieutenant USAF
Emergency Medicine Residency, PGY1 start at VA-DoD
“This is my dream, and the first steppingstone towards my goal.”
PNWU Student Doctor Katsiaryna Kniahnitskaya was on duty for her fourth-year neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) rotation when she received her matching email. Initially, she admits, she did not believe the results. When a Lt. Colonel called her to confirm the news, she immediately called her family with the news.
“PNWU gave me the tools and desire to continue my service for my country,” said Student Doctor Kniahnitskaya. “This is my dream and the first steppingstone towards my goal of being a military emergency physician dealing with all sorts of traumas.”
Cheyenne Rahn, OMS IV, ENS, USN
General Surgery at Navy Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA
PNWU Student Doctor Cheyenne Rahn was with her wife when she received her residency match results. With Virginia on her mind as their first-choice location, she was ecstatic as she read the words “General Surgery, Navy Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA.”
“I was happy to get into the specialty of my choice,” said Student Doctor Rahn. “It’s a stressful time and process, but once you have your result you can sit back, take some time to relax, and enjoy your fourth-year rotations. Enjoying the rotation for what it involves without the extra stress of an impending exam is delightful.”
Prior to PNWU scheduling her general surgery rotation “with a great physician,” Rahn wasn’t planning on trying for a general surgery residency. “The surgeon I worked with is an amazing preceptor that gives students one-on-one attention and allows you to first assist in many of his surgeries,” she explained. “Residency programs are different in that you get many people fighting for time and space in the operating room, which can be overwhelming when you’re first learning. Having the opportunity to experience general surgery as a fully immersed part of the team was instrumental in my desire for this specialty.”
Michael Storch, OMS IV, 2LT, USA
Anesthesiology PGY2
Student Doctor Michael Storch was admittedly surprised to find out he’d secured a civilian-sponsored anesthesiology residency position during his lunchbreak while on an oncology rotation.
“The civilian match will allow me to get great training and match closer to family,” Storch said, adding that he was excited to hear about the matching results of his PNWU peers. “I knew they would all do well,” said Storch.
Victoria McPherson, OMS IV
Pediatrics at San Antonio Military Medical Center, Sam Houston, TX
Larissa Fischer, OMS IV
Family Medicine at The National Capital Consortium (NCC) Family Medicine Residency at Alexander T. Augusta (A.T. Augusta) Military Medical Center, Fort Belvoir, VA
Elizabeth Jans, OMS IV
Family Medicine at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA
“The content of their character and their dedication to serving their country is quite compelling,” said Thomas Scandalis, DO, dean of PNWU-COM. “They embody the spirit of PNWU and of the osteopathic profession. It is noteworthy that these students are entering active duty during a time of global conflict which is also a testament to their patriotism and courage.”