Military Match 2023: Medical students on military scholarships celebrate matching into residencies
As recipients of the Health Professions Scholarship Program, five of VCU's M4s are preparing for residency training at military-affiliated hospitals across the U.S.
Health Professions Scholarship Program M4s E. Grant Bradley, Daniel Kovach and Jessica Wimberly (left to right) celebrate their matches with School of Medicine Dean Arturo Saavedra, M.D. (Photo courtesy of Taylor Walters, M.P.H.)
On Dec. 13, VCU School of Medicine’s fourth years on military scholarships had an early look into their futures during Military Match Day.
The Health Professions Scholarship Program is a comprehensive scholarship in which the U.S. military pays for students’ tuition, provides a monthly stipend and reimburses for learning materials. In return, medical students commit to residency training at a military-affiliated or civilian institution, and a period of service in the Air Force, Army or Navy following graduation.
According to Brian Aboff, M.D., senior associate dean for graduate medical education and HPSP alum, joining the extensive network of military-affiliated physicians has the potential to open doors for the soon-to-be graduates.
“Being in the military gave me leadership opportunities at a younger age than I otherwise would have had,” Aboff said. “I worked with fantastic people from all walks of life and from across the country. It was a great experience that prepared me well for a future in clinical medicine and educational leadership.”
Graduating HPSP students learn the military or military-affiliated medical institution they will complete their residencies at earlier than civilian graduates.
E. Grant Bradley, OB-GYN, Brooke Army Medical Center
HPSP students across the country have a unique sense of community, fostered in part by officer training that happens the summer between the M1 and M2 years, E. Grant Bradley said.
“It was a great experience,” Bradley said. “We got to meet other medical students who might one day be our co-residents.”
Bradley will be joining some of some of those summer friends for his OB-GYN residency at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, next year, an interest he discovered during his third-year rotations at VCU.
“I’m very passionate about reproductive health care and I enjoy engaging in shared decision making with my patients,” Bradley said. “I’m excited to find my voice as a doctor.”
Daniel Kovach, General Surgery, Tripler Army Medical Center
Daniel Kovach will be traveling the farthest of his HPSP classmates to begin general surgery residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“I want to surf and enjoy the weather,” Kovach said. “I love the people in Hawaii and the vibe is super chill, which is in stark contrast to the military spirit.”
In addition to exploring island life, Kovach said he is excited to implement the skills he learned at SOM, and gain the hands-on experience and responsibility that comes with surgical residency.
“Something I’ve learned from rotations is that you need to leave whatever you were feeling going into the shift at the door,” Kovach said. “I’m here first to deliver care and help someone get back on their feet.”
Jessica Wimberly, Emergency Medicine, Madigan Army Medical Center
One of the perks of having a smaller pool of medical centers to rank is that it allows many HPSP students to visit their match options. For M4 Jessica Wimberly, this was invaluable in her decision to rank Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash., as her top choice.
“You really get to experience the program when you go in person,” Wimberly said. “The people there made me feel like I was already part of their family. They have such an amazing culture.”
Wimberly will join Madigan’s emergency medicine residency in July, a specialty she explored during her undergrad years, but said she initially found overwhelming. However, after taking a two week foundational elective in the VCU Department of Emergency Medicine during her third year, Wimberly said she developed a passion for the field.
“I enjoy the macro level care,” Wimberly said. “There’s also so many levels of certification you can get, so the options are there.”
2023 Military Matches
Jacqueline Bellaci – Madigan Army Medical Center, Family Medicine
E. Grant Bradley – San Antonio Army Military Center, OB-GYN
Daniel Kovach – Tripler Army Medical Center, General Surgery
Phong Truong – Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Internal Medicine
Jessica Wimberly – Madigan Army Medical Center, Emergency Medicine
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