New Physicians Advance to Residency, Strengthening New York’s Healthcare Workforce
By Office of the President | Mar 31, 2026
In New York State, more than 30 percent of its physicians are trained in Downstate’s College of Medicine. This places us at the center of the state’s healthcare system. That role carries the responsibility of preparing physicians who lead, serve, and strengthen care where it is needed most, with a clear focus on keeping care close to the communities with the greatest need.
At last week’s Match Day, 187 of our medical students secured residency placements, marking a significant milestone. In a packed Alumni Auditorium, students, faculty, staff, families, and friends gathered at noon to open envelopes and learn where they would be placed for their residencies.
Seventy-six percent of the residents will remain in New York State; more than half will train in New York City, with many continuing in Brooklyn and Central Brooklyn. These outcomes reflect both the scale and the purpose of physicians who trained and chose to serve here. Thirty-five graduates will continue their training at Downstate, strengthening our clinical programs and sustaining care for our Brooklyn communities.
Our students matched into 28 specialties, with strong representation in internal medicine (27 percent), anesthesiology (12 percent), psychiatry (7 percent), emergency medicine (7 percent), and obstetrics and gynecology (6 percent), all fields that are critical to meeting current and long-term healthcare needs.
Through programs such as the Brooklyn Free Clinic, students gain direct experience addressing gaps in access to care. They graduate with clinical expertise, and a clear understanding of the barriers patients face and the responsibility to address them.
As these graduates enter residency, they do so with an approach grounded in clinical excellence, public health, and community impact. At Downstate, we prepare physicians who understand the communities they serve and choose to remain connected to them, ensuring that care remains close to the communities that need it most.
Thank you to Jeffrey S. Putman, Ed.D., Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, and F. Charles Brunicardi, M.D., FACS, Dean of the College of Medicine, for their leadership for this always exciting day!
SUNY Downstate's Match Day 2026
