Celebrating Excellence: WesternU COMP Achieves 100% Residency Placement for Third Year in a Row

WesternU COMP's Remarkable Achievement in Residency Placement

March 30, 2026, marked an outstanding milestone for the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) at Western University of Health Sciences. For the third consecutive year, COMP celebrated achieving a perfect 100% residency placement rate for its graduating class. This exceptional accomplishment was revealed during the traditional Match Day, an event that resonates deeply with medical students nationwide. On Match Day, students eagerly discover where they will continue their medical training, and this year was no exception.

The event took place in Ontario, California, where the COMP Class of 2026 gathered with excitement, joy, and a sense of accomplishment as they opened envelopes revealing their residency placements. Out of the graduating class, a noteworthy 55% of students are pursuing careers in primary care, underlining a significant commitment to serving community health needs.

Dr. Lisa Warren, Dean of COMP, expressed her pride during the ceremony, highlighting the emotional weight of Match Day. "It’s a culmination of intense study, hard work, and dedication. You all have proven that you are more than capable of making a meaningful impact in the medical field," she affirmed, encouraging her students to recognize their potential and the lives they will touch through their responsibilities as residents.

This year, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) played a critical role in facilitating the residency placements. The NRMP reported that over 44,000 residency positions were available across more than 6,800 training programs in the U.S. Among the latest statistics, COMP students achieved high placement rates in specialties such as Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Anesthesiology.

Reflecting on the journey, fourth-year student Andrew Avila expressed his joy after matching into his first choice, a family medicine residency at Adventist Health Glendale. He emphasized his passion for providing holistic care: “I love the idea of incorporating mental health into general health and well-being, ensuring that I can support my patients effectively through all stages of life.”

Similarly, Esmeralda Santos, another fourth-year student, described the emotions she felt while awaiting her placement. Matching into a family medicine residency at Loma Linda University, she shared her commitment to establishing strong relationships with patients. "I wanted a diverse specialty that allows me to interact daily with various individuals," she revealed.

Cory Gaines, another student, matched into an emergency medicine residency at Emory University, where he aims to contribute significantly to community health. He noted the vital role emergency medicine plays in serving society as a safety net, further reinforcing his determination to make a difference.

Adding a personal touch to this year's Match Day was Catly Winn, who not only celebrated her placement into an internal medicine residency but did so as a second-generation COMP student. Her father, Dr. James Winn, who graduated from COMP in 1989, expressed immense pride in his daughter's achievements, noting the evolution of the Match Day experience over the years. While he encouraged her to forge her own path in medicine, he also shared enduring advice: “Be patient, learn every day, and remember that humility is vital.”

This year’s achievements solidify WesternU COMP's commitment to excellence in medical education and residency training. As the school continues to celebrate the success of its graduates, it also reaffirms its role in shaping the future of healthcare through dedicated and competent practitioners.

About Western University of Health Sciences

Western University of Health Sciences is located in Pomona, California, and provides a diverse array of health-related programs. Through a commitment to collaboration and community healthcare, it graduates professionals poised to make a profound difference in the health sectors they serve.