WesternU COMP-Northwest Celebrates Successful Match Day 2026
Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (COMP-Northwest), transitioning to the Heatherington College of Osteopathic Medicine, celebrated Match Day on Friday, March 20, 2026. Graduates secured residency placements across the country, achieving a 99% placement rate, with 50% entering primary care specialties.
Match Day, coordinated by the National Resident Matching Program, is a pivotal moment for medical students, culminating years of study in a single event. The program uses a complex algorithm based on mutual rankings to pair applicants with residency programs nationwide. Students simultaneously open sealed envelopes revealing their residency placements.
Community and Support Systems
COMP-Northwest Site Dean Heather Phipps, DO, MBA, FAAOS, emphasized the significance of the day, stating, “Today is a major milestone… a moment that reflects your discipline, sacrifice, and commitment to medicine.”
Students highlighted the importance of support systems throughout their medical journeys. Luke Arsenault matched into internal medicine at Samaritan Health Services in Corvallis, Oregon, after completing rotations and subinternships at the facility. He noted the “family feel” at Samaritan mirrored that of WesternU, influencing his top choice.
Kiana Fincher, a student with three young children, relied on her husband and classmates for support. She emphasized the strong community at WesternU and its proximity to family as key factors in her success.
Commitment to Service and Future Practice
Katelyn Williamson, who volunteered as a firefighter during medical school, matched in general surgery at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She and classmate Natalija Stern collaborated to create a memorable Match Day celebration for their class, recognizing their shared experience of starting medical school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stern explained that the class aimed to create an event that celebrated their journey and reminded them of their shared experiences.
Match Day signifies both an end and a beginning for the Class of 2026, as they transition into the next phase of their medical careers as future physicians.
