Texas Tech med students celebrate Match Day, discover residency placements at Hodgetown

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — When you’re playing in Minor League Baseball the journey to the majors is called the Road to the Show. If you are studying and working in the health care profession and desire to become a doctor it’s called residency. On Friday at Hodgetown, in downtown Amarillo, family and friends of 50 students enrolled at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center found out on Match Day where they’ll be going for their residency.

“I’m thinking I want to do breast radiology so mammograms, biopsies all of that good stuff,” said Meghan Sanchez, a medical school student. “I’m following in the footsteps of my brother and uncle who inspired me to go to medical school in the first place.”

“I was absolutely thrilled to know I will be in Amarillo, Texas,” said Kala Baty, a medical school student. “This is where my husband practices as a family medicine resident and where my family lives as well so very excited.”

The class of 2025 featured around 40% or more of the students at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center who will be staying in Texas many of those will be in a rural community helping to address a vital need.

“I think with rural what doctors find with a rural setting is you get to know your patients a little better,” said Brian Weis, Regional Dean of the School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. “It may be a little slower template or tempo but overall, it’s easier to become part of the community.”

“There’s such a need for primary care physicians in small towns and very important to our population to help bring up our health and everything so we’re very excited,” said Baty.

“The hails in the barn and were just waiting for payday,” said Sanchez.

This marked the 41st annual School of Medicine Match Day awards ceremony.