Bedpans and residencies

By Joe Stuteville

And when the last envelope was drawn and opened, 260 graduating students at the IU School of Medicine (IUSM) accepted residency positions throughout the country.

For Jeremy Roscoe (above), it was worth the wait. His was the last name drawn and when he went to pick up his assignment, there was a bonus waiting for him – two bedpans crammed with will 259 one-dollar bills. In recent years, it has been the practice for each student to leave a greenback in the pan after receiving his or her envelope, a consolation prize for that person whose name is drawn last. Roscoe cradled his “pot luck” prize and returned to his seat to discover where he would do his residency. A few seconds elapsed, his eyes widened and he jettisoned from his seat. “IU baby! It’s IU!” he exploded, pumping his arms victorious into the air and trading high fives and hugs with his fellow students.

IU, which includes its University Hospital, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children and other medical facilities under the aegis of Clarian Health Partners, was Roscoe’s first choice. The party-like atmosphere at the IUSM Match Day provided a much needed respite for students, who, after graduation this May, will take the next step in their journey to become physicians.

IU medical students were matched to residencies in 30 states. Nearly half of the students will pursue their first year of residency in Indiana hospitals. Nearly 63 percent of IUSM students were matched to their first choice of programs.