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NRMP Celebrates Record Fellowship Matches for 2024

The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) has achieved a significant milestone in the medical field by announcing that more than 8,000 resident physicians have successfully matched into fellowship training positions for the 2024 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match. This program, which includes 39 subspecialties, marks the largest fellowship match managed by NRMP.

Overview of the 2024 Match

In 2024, the Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match saw considerable growth in participation and opportunities compared to the previous year. This year featured an addition of Interventional Cardiology to the match process, alongside other established subspecialties. A total of 3,709 fellowship programs submitted ranked order lists, representing a 7% increase in program participation. In total, 9,649 fellowship positions were offered—a growth of 6%, compared to last year.

Of the positions available, 8,313 were filled, reflecting a fill rate of 86.2%. Notably, the number of applicants who certified a rank order list was 10,255, a rise of 9% over the previous year, creating a competitive environment for aspiring specialists.

Insights from NRMP Leadership

According to Donna L. Lamb, NRMP President and CEO, this year's match underscores the organization's enduring commitment to broadening the scope of subspecialties for resident physicians. She emphasized that the consistent rise in participant numbers not only indicates a heightened interest in specialized medical training but also validates NRMP's effective matching process, which is essential for meeting the nation's evolving healthcare demands.

Specialties and Performance Highlights

Different specialties within the Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match showcased impressive metrics. For instance, Interventional Cardiology included 156 programs with 326 certified positions, filling 272 spots for an 83.4% fill rate. Internal Medicine specialties offered approximately 6,486 positions, achieving a remarkable fill rate of 89.8%. Specific fields such as Cardiovascular Disease and Hematology and Oncology managed to fill nearly all their positions, showing overwhelming demand for these specialties.

Pediatric specialties offered 1,975 positions but recorded a fill rate of 77.5%, slightly lower than the previous year. However, Pediatrics Critical Care and Allergy and Immunology maintained favorable fill rates, filling 98.7% and 98.8% of their certified positions, respectively.

Applicant Trends and Statistics

Out of the 10,255 applicants in this year's match, 8,313 successfully matched to positions, which reflects an 81.1% success rate. While the overall match rate saw a slight decline compared to last year, increases in match participation were evident across various applicant categories, indicating strong interest in fellowship roles.
- MD Graduates: 4,609 MD graduates participated, with 4,130 matching, rising by 165 matches.
- DO Graduates: 1,541 DO graduates entered the match, with 1,218 successfully matching.
- International Medical Graduates (IMGs) showed strong participation, with a noticeable rise in matches among non-U.S. IMGs.

Looking Ahead

The trends from this year's match highlight several prospective areas for growth, particularly in subspecialties like Geriatric Medicine, which recently saw improvements in its fill rates. As healthcare demands evolve, the NRMP remains committed to ensuring that both medical residents and healthcare institutions benefit from a streamlined and effective matching process.

For more comprehensive stats and details about the various subspecialties included in the match, interested parties can access the full 2024 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match Statistics Report.

About NRMP

Established in 1953, the National Resident Matching Program is a private non-profit organization that manages the matching process for residency positions and fellowship training. Over the years, NRMP has provided order and fairness in matching applicants to training programs across the United States, thereby supporting the future of medicine.

Interested individuals can reach out to NRMP for further inquiries and insights into continuing medical education and specialty matches.